Legal Question in Criminal Law in Illinois

Charged with Providing Alcohol to a Minor

My son is a 23 yr old college student who lives in a house w/5other guys. All the roomies participate on a sports team at their college;in Oct 08 some other teammates dropped in to watch football. Police drove by and walked in back door. Some of the visitors were underage and drinking beer; police charged all roomies providing alcohol to minor.my son is in school to become a teacher. we need to know how this might affect him later.if he pleads guilty and just pays a fine will it stay on his record? Our concern is that if he pleads guilty this could hinder him when looking for a teaching job. By the way, none of the occupants of the house provided alcohol to anyone. The visitors that came over brought any alchohol that they consumed with them, although I doubt if that makes any difference; it didn't to the police. My son has a court date next week so we are wondering how he should plead..thank you


Asked on 1/14/09, 12:04 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
George Zuganelis Zuganelis & Zuganelis, Attorneys at Law, P.C.

Re: Charged with Providing Alcohol to a Minor

Forget about pleading. Hire a lawyer. Your son is charged with a Class A misdemeanor, and is subject to 364 days in the county jail and a $2500.00, fine or a combination of both.

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Answered on 1/14/09, 4:26 pm
Jeremy Richey Jeremy Richey, Attorney at Law

Re: Charged with Providing Alcohol to a Minor

You should strongly consider contacting a lawyer in the area where your son goes to school. There are some things here that a lawyer might be able to work with.

Jeremy Richey

http://www.jeremyrichey.com

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Answered on 1/14/09, 5:40 pm
Michael R. Nack Michael R. Nack, Attorney at Law

Re: Charged with Providing Alcohol to a Minor

Your son should plead "not guilty" and hire an attorney. You are quite correct in wondering what the negative consequences of pleading guilty and taking a conviction would be for him. He would certainly regret pleading guilty. An attorney might be able to completely defend this case. Why did the police walk in the back door? Did they have probable cause to believe a crime was being committed? Did they have a warrant? Were they invited in? What proof is there that your son provided alcohol to any minor? If the case can not be defeated, an attorey should be able to negotiate a plea bargain which will avoid a conviction assuming that your son has a clean record.

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Answered on 1/15/09, 12:16 am


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