Legal Question in Criminal Law in Indiana

I received a ticket for minor consumption of alcohol at a concert on June 21, 2013 in Hamilton County, Indiana. My 21st birthday is August 11, 2013. I attended an initial hearing at night court, along with several others who had committed the same offense, on August 7, 2013. There was no judge present, but a the pre-trial diversion coordinator from the Hamilton Co. Prosecutor's office announced that we were all eligible for pre-trial diversion. We must complete 20 hours of community service, at least 8 hours of an alcohol education class, and refrain from breaking any laws for the next year. There is one part of the pre-trial diversion contract that I am having trouble understanding. "Defendant shall refrain from the consumption, possession, or transportation of any alcoholic beverage or intoxicating liquor. Defendant shall not enter any bar or liquor store where alcoholic beverages are sold or consumed or that you must be at least 21 years of age to enter." I turn 21 in four days. Does this mean that I will not be able to go out to a bar on my birthday and have a beer even though I will be of legal age? Or is this stipulation of the pre-trial diversion contract intended for those who will still be minors for the next year?


Asked on 8/07/13, 11:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jay Rigdon Rockhill Pinnick LLP

You can't go out to the bar. You have to stay out of places like that until you have completed the diversion term, regardless of your age.

Read more
Answered on 8/08/13, 11:53 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Indiana