Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

underage drinking

I was at a party in which a group of my friends left to attend another party. While walking into the apartment complex the second party was located at, one of my friends pulled the fire alarm. A security camera caught the act and police conducted an investigation. My friend who pulled the alarm was charged and he already went to court. Police were having trouble identifing another male who touched the fire alarm, and it attempts to figure out his identity contacted other people who walked in the door at that time. One of the people gave the officer pictures she had taken at the initial party to help him identify the male. In those photographs I am see with a container of alcohol in my hand. The officer identified me and is threatening to charge me with underage consumption unless I testify in court against the tenents of the original apartment who are being charged with providing alcohol to minors. The tenents of the apartment are over 21 years of age. Can police charge me with underage consumption even though they have no physical evidence because I was never breathalyzed, and was never involved in the intial incident inwhich the firealarm was pulled?


Asked on 8/09/05, 5:20 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Mark Johns Mark Johns, Esquire

Re: underage drinking

If you do not get immunity and testify they find someone else who will. I suggest contact a lawyer to discuss the penalties for underage drinking and the evidence against you to detremine what your bets course of action is. I offer free consultations.

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Answered on 8/09/05, 5:48 pm
Marc V. Taiani AAAL - Allegheny Attorneys At Law

Re: underage drinking

They can try, but there case would be rather weak, the only question you need to ask yourself is whether you really want to risk the possibility of facing criminal charges, that will at the very least cause you to incur possibly significant attorney's fees?

My recommendation is to retain an attorney NOW in order to avoid a bigger mess later!

Whatever you do under NO circumstances should you talk with the police, give a statement, talk to anyone else about this matter without having a criminal defense attorney present!

If you desire additional advice, please either contact my officer at 412.731.0865, or visit my website at www.AlleghenyAttorneys.com.

Good Luck,

Marc V. Taiani, Esquire

AAAL - Allegheny Attorneys At Law

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Answered on 8/15/05, 9:29 pm


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