15th District Court
Minor in Possession Information Sheet
You have been charged with the offense of Alcohol, Possess/Purchase/Consume by a Minor, more
commonly known as “Minor in Possession”. You have the following three options:
1) Plead Not Guilty
a) You will be arraigned by the Judge or Magistrate. Your plea will be entered and bond conditions may
be set. You will be scheduled for a Pretrial before the judge assigned to your case.
b) The Ann Arbor City Attorney or Washtenaw County Prosecutor will be present for the Pretrial.
c) Student Legal Services will represent you if you are a University of Michigan student.
2) Plead Guilty
a) The Judge or Magistrate may not sentence you today. You may be ordered to complete a presentence interview with a probation agent and return for sentencing at a later date.
b) Your case will appear as a misdemeanor conviction on your criminal record and on your Michigan
driving record (unless you are sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act). If you are licensed
in another state, Michigan may share the information with that state.
3) Plead Guilty Under the Court’s Minor in Possession First Offender Deferred Sentence Program
a) You must have no prior alcohol charges in this or any other court to qualify for the Program.
b) You must sign the Plea form and plead guilty to the Deferred Sentence Program before the Judge or
Magistrate.
c) Your case will be made “non-public” at the time of your plea.
d) A non-public abstract will be sent to the Michigan Secretary of State for your driving record. This
information is not made part of your public driving record unless you fail to complete the terms of your
probation.
e) You must pay $405 fines and costs to the Court within 30 days. Failure to timely pay Court fines
and costs may result in a warrant for your arrest in addition to a criminal conviction.
f)
You must complete an alcohol education program at your own expense by:
i) Attending the Spectrum “Decisions That Impact Tomorrow” alcohol education program at the
Home of New Vision. The fee for this program is $100, payable in cash when you appear. There
is a $10 service fee assessed if you reschedule your program date.
ii) U-M Students may attend BASICS through University Health Service, comprised of two 90 minute
sessions. See www.uhs.umich.edu/basics to schedule the sessions.
iii) Contacting your local court or school to inquire about attending an in person alcohol education or
assessment program in your area which consists of a minimum of 3 hours. No online classes will
be accepted. The Court must receive proof of completion of that program on agency letterhead at
least one week prior to the review date which will be indicated on your Order of Probation.
g) You must sign an Order of Probation and fulfill all of the conditions of probation for a six month
period:
i) Do not violate any criminal law of any unit of government.
ii) Notify the Court in writing immediately of any change of address.
iii) Pay $405 fines and costs to the Court within 30 days of the sentencing date. See 3)e) above.
iv) Complete an alcohol education program – see 1(f) above.
v) Do not use or possess alcohol.
vi) Do not receive any new alcohol charges.
vii) You may leave the State of Michigan during the probationary period.
h) Your case will be dismissed at the end of probation if you successfully complete the program. A nonpublic record of your plea and dismissal will be kept as required by law.
i) If you do not successfully complete the program, your case will appear as a misdemeanor conviction
on your criminal record and on your Michigan driving record. If you are licensed in another state,
Michigan may share the information with that state.