Open Container in Ocean City

Anonymous
My 18 year old received an open container ticket during senior week in Ocean City. Has anyone else been through this recently? I'm looking for more info on the court process, and if we really need to hire a lawyer to avoid it going on their record. Ideally, we're hoping for PBJ/community service, but I don't know how likely that is to be granted if we don't have a lawyer.
Anonymous
A quick google search said this is a misdemeanor and possible jail time. Yes, you hire a lawyer. You don’t chance it because that’s a serious possible consequence.

You are going to get the wide range of advice here but that’s what we would do.
Anonymous
Possible jail time means you might get a PD. But I wouldn’t trust a PD with my kid. They are too overworked.
Anonymous
I'd hire a lawyer because they are an adult and this would be on their record.
Anonymous
they are consequences for misbehaving
Anonymous
You definitely need to hire a lawyer. Don’t be stupid op.
Anonymous
Get a lawyer and see if he can plead it down to a violation. Prison time or not, a misdemeanor on your record is something you have to disclose to truthfully answer on a job or grad school application whether you've been convicted of a crime.
Anonymous
hire a lawyer, he will have to do a diversion program, stay out of trouble for a certain amount of time then it can be expunged if he meets all the criteria. The diversion being done before he goes to court is something the lawyer will suggest.

this is assuming he has nothing in his past, poor driving record, other incidents.
Anonymous
yep, hire a lawyer. This is going to be a $1K mistake that he made.
Anonymous
How did get an open container ticket but not an underage drinking ticket?
Anonymous
Yea hire a lawyer but he'll get PBJ because otherwise it would clog up the local courts. And that's IF the cop shows up, which he probably won't.
Anonymous
Your kid is 18 they deal with it themselves. They can hire their own lawyer.
Anonymous
Absolutely hire a lawyer. Otherwise, if he's convicted, it will come up on every new job background check for (I'm guessing) the next 7-10 years (our background checks go back 7 years).
Anonymous
A lawyer can get this expunged. It's worth it to hire one.
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