These kinds of cases are probably the most common criminal offenses. There are 12 cities in Baldwin County with their own city courts that deal only with misdemeanors and traffic cases. Because the penalties are not extreme, and because the dollar amounts tend to be lower, many lawyers have a tendency to be nonchalant about these kinds of cases. But I believe that this is where lawyers should be at their most professional.
Shoplifting
Also, if you are going to shoplift, don’t do it in Walmart. That place has you on camera from the time you pull into the parking lot to the time you pull out.
Minor in Possession of Alcohol
There is a saying in beach towns all up and down the Gulf Coast, “come on vacation, leave on probation” and the Minor in Possession of Alcohol charge is a quick way to do it. If you look younger than 25 and show up in Gulf Shores, AL during spring break, the police are watching you. It is not unusual for overworked police officers to take the “arrest ‘em all and let the judge sort it out” approach to Minor in Possession, which is why it may be important to seek legal counsel.
In addition, while some jurisdictions offer quick plea deals for theses cases, there are a number of issues that you may want advice on such as the drivers license suspension that goes with a conviction for minor in possession, or how to answer job and college application questions about an arrest.
Open House Party
This one tends to go hand in hand with Minor in Possession. In an area where there are a number of high schools in close proximity to beach and bay houses, it also comes up quite often. After a few high profile incidents at house parties in this area, judges and police are taking this issue very seriously and the old “I’d rather have them drinking here, than out God-knows-where” does not fly any more. If you have an Open House Party charge you definitely need representation if you don’t want to be the next cautionary tale.
Don’t mess around. Call us first at 251.626.5052 or send us a note.
Other misdemeanor crimes that we handle:
