South Carolina prohibits a person under the age of 21 from purchasing, attempting to purchase, or knowingly possessing beer, ale, porter, wine, or a similar malt or fermented beverage. Criminal defense attorney Laubshire was a former deputy sheriff and knows how easy it is for law enforcement to identify where young people commit this crime. With that being said, he also knows what it takes to overcome a charge of this nature.
When You Can Be Charged with Unlawful Possession
There are several instances in which you may be charged with unlawful possession of alcohol:
- You are at a grocery store, and a friend who is over 21 asks you to hold their case of beer while they finish grocery shopping.
- You are the designated driver at a high school party. After a long night, you drive some friends home without realizing they brought leftover alcohol from the party into your vehicle.
- You and your friends are parked outside of a gas station and ask strangers (who look like they’re over 21) to purchase alcohol for you and give them money to do so.
These are some of the many instances in which you may find yourself in trouble with the law. If law enforcement has probable cause that you purchased, consumed, or knowingly possessed alcohol unlawfully, then you may be subject to an alcohol screening test, such as a field sobriety test. If you fail the screening test(s), you may be found guilty of a misdemeanor, fined $100 to $200, and/or face a 30-day prison sentence.
There is too much at stake to allow your unlawful possession charge to damage your livelihood, which is why you should entrust our highly regarded, attentive attorney to represent you and strategize the best plan of action required to win your case. Contact us online or call 803-708-4755 today.
