Alcohol & Drugs: MIP, MIC, Intoxication Michigan Minor in Possession

[spydave00]

I go to western michigan university I was just charged with a minor in possession about an hour ago. On my ticket I have a court date already set up. The alcohol was in my dorm room fridge at the time. I had nothing to drink that night and blew 000 on the breath test. The police officer intimidated me and I said that the 2 40's in the fridge were mine. I know I broke the law and the 40's are mine but I want to know if it is better to plead guilty or not guilty in court? I do not want to get a misdemeanor charge on my record. After pleading how do I go about asking for a plea bargain. Do I need an attorney. Thanks
Dave

 

[Michael Wechsler]

An attorney may be of assistance although in a open and shut case that assistance may diminish. Did they have a right to search your room? If so, it's difficult to deny possession. You may do best by meeting with the prosecutor before the case and making a plea bargain. You may even be able to negotiate a deal whereby you get probation and your case would be dismissed upon successful completion of the probationary period. I'm not sure if this is done in Michigan.

 

[spydave00]

minor in possession reply

Thanks for your help. But I have one more thing to say. I have an arraingment on March 6th would I meet with the prosecutor before that or plead not guilty and then talk to the prosecutor. Or should I take the YODA program in Michigan where if I plead guilty I get 150 fine, 10 hours community service, and am on probation for 6 months then it is off my record? The thing I need help deciding here is whether to plead guilty or not guilty at the arraingment. I talked to a lawyer and he said to plead not guilty but to hire him it is going to cost me 1000 bucks. Thanks,
Dave

 

[Michael Wechsler]

Did he tell you why you should plead guilty and how he believes that he may be able to provide you with a return on such an investment?