Answering Underage Drinking Charges in Chicago

Hey guys, my name is John and I wanted to write this article to help out anyone who got busted for underage drinking in Chicago. I know it can be really scary getting arrested and not knowing what’s gonna happen next. I’ve been there! But don’t worry, I’m here to walk you through the process and let you know your options.

First off, underage drinking is no joke in Illinois. The cops and courts take it really seriously now, even if it wasn’t a big deal when your parents were kids. If you’re under 21 and caught with any amount of alcohol in your system, you can be charged with a crime.

What Happens When You’re Arrested

If this is your first offense, you’ll probably just be issued a citation by the police. They’ll make you sign it, confirming that you understand you’re being charged. You’ll get a court date to appear before a judge. If you’ve been busted before or did something really stupid when they found you drinking, you might get arrested and have to spend the night in jail – not fun!

When you go to court, first thing they’ll do is read the charges against you. The prosecutor will explain what you did illegal. Common underage drinking charges in Illinois include:

• Illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor
• Possession of alcohol by a minor
• Providing alcohol to minors
• Using a fake ID

After hearing the charges, the judge will ask how you plead – guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Saying guilty means admitting you did it. Not guilty means you’re fighting the charges. No contest means you’re not admitting guilt but accept the punishment.

Potential Penalties

If found guilty, there are a few different penalties you could face for underage drinking in Illinois:

• Fines up to $2,500
• Up to 1 year of court supervision
• Community service hours
• Alcohol education classes
• Driver’s license suspension – even if you weren’t driving!
• Jail time, but only for repeat offenders or if additional crimes committed

The fines and supervision really add up. My buddy got busted twice in one year, ended up paying like $5,000 total! And having your license taken away obviously sucks too. The Zero Tolerance law says if you’re under 21 and have any amount of alcohol in you, your license can be suspended for 3-12 months. Harsh but true.

Should I Get a Lawyer?

You’re probably wondering if you need to hire a lawyer to help with your underage drinking charges. My advice – YES, get a lawyer! Here’s why:

• They know how to negotiate with the prosecutors to get charges reduced or dropped.
• They’ll walk you through the process and legal issues you don’t understand.
• Less chance of maximum penalties if you have an attorney.
• Easier to get your driver’s license back.

I talked to Chicago criminal defense attorneys after I got arrested and they were able to get my fines and supervision time cut in half. Worth every penny. Don’t try to handle this yourself. The lawyers do this everyday – they know what to say and what mistakes to avoid. Give them a call ASAP.

Tips for Your Court Date

If you can’t afford a lawyer or just want to go it alone, here are some tips for your first court appearance:

• Dress nice – shirt, tie, dress shoes. Look sharp.
• Be polite and respectful to the judge.
• Speak only when asked a question.
• If you say guilty, be remorseful and apologize.
• If fighting it, firmly but calmly explain your side.
• Bring documents, evidence, witnesses supporting your case.
• Prepare an explanation of what happened and why it wasn’t illegal.

The judge may be willing to reduce the penalties if you seem sincere, take responsibility, and promise it won’t happen again. But no guarantees – that’s why I think you need a lawyer on your side.

What About Your Parents?

Most kids are worried how their parents will react if they get busted drinking. Here’s the deal – your parents can also be charged and fined if cops find you drinking! It’s called a “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” charge. Your folks will have to go to court too and could get hit with penalties.

So if you want to save your parents trouble and money, don’t drink until you’re 21! I know, easier said than done, but getting arrested isn’t worth it. And try to keep things on the down low from your parents if you do drink. The less they know, the better.

Learn From My Mistakes

Well I hope this article helped explain what to expect if you get an underage drinking ticket in Chicago. I made some stupid mistakes when I was younger, but learned my lesson. My advice – be smart, don’t drink until you’re legal, and stay away from alcohol completely if you’re gonna drive. And if you do mess up, get a good lawyer on your side immediately. They can really help minimize the damage. Let me know if you have any other questions!