i was caught for a MIP and want to know if I should plead guilty or not guilty?
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i was caught for a MIP and want to know if I should plead guilty or not guilty?
The cop gave me a breathalizer and wrote a citation. then he said go to the court within 10 days. I don’t know if I should fight it.
Asked on June 19, 2009 under Criminal Law, Michigan
Answers:
M.S., Member, Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
Although I am not licensed to practice law in Michigan, I know in many states, including but probably not limited to California and Connecticut, pleading guilty to minor possession of alcohol often results in the unintended consequence of having one's motor vehicle license suspended for a period of time (often a year) even if you were nowhere near your motor vehicle at the time of the arrest. Therefore, even if the charge does not appear defensible, it is not wise to simply plead guilty without first consulting with and/or retaining a criminal defense attorney to evaluate the merits of the state's case, the validity of any possible defenses, and all of the potential consequences of the allegation. Moreover, even if the charge is not, in fact, defensible, it is potentially possible that a skilled defense attorney would be able to obtain a resolution (other than a guilty plea) that could potentially avoid the imposition of undesirable consequences.
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