Minor In Possession of Alcohol – How To Get Your MIP Ticket Reduced Or Dismissed

MIP Ticket

Minor in Possession of Alcohol will show up on your criminal record and driving record unless you have an attorney get your MIP ticket dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense.

Penalties For Minor In Possession Of Alcohol In Missouri

If you are a 1st-time offender and you plead guilty to Minor in Possession of Alcohol in Missouri, the maximum penalty is:

  • $300 Fine
  • No Jail Time

For a 2nd MIP ticket, the maximum punishment is:

  • $1,000 fine and
  • 1 year in jail

Driver’s License Suspended If Convicted Of Minor In Possession of Alcohol

  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days if you plead guilty to an MIP ticket that was issued under Missouri’s “Abuse & Lose” law
  • Your driver’s license will be revoked for 1 year if you plead guilty to MIP for a 2nd time under the “Abuse & Lose” law

Consult your attorney to find out if you have been charged under the “Abuse & Lose” law.

The Missouri Department of Revenue website has information about how to get your license reinstated after pleading guilty to an MIP ticket.

MIP Ticket Does Not Drop Off Your Criminal Record When You Turn 21

An MIP ticket DOES NOT “drop off” of your criminal record when you turn age 21 or after a certain number of years have passed.

Here’s what happens if you plead guilty to MIP/underage drinking:

  • An MIP ticket stays on your CRIMINAL RECORD forever unless you get it expunged.
  • An MIP ticket stays on your DRIVING RECORD forever unless you file a written request with the Missouri Department of Revenue asking for it to be removed
  • A conviction for MIP/Underage Drinking may prevent you from getting a job or internship, renting an apartment, or being accepted into the college of your choice

MIP Expungement

Missouri allows you to expunge only 1 Minor in Possession of Alcohol conviction, and only if it’s a first-time offense.

FOR EXAMPLE: If you plead guilty to an MIP ticket at age 17, and then plead guilty to another MIP ticket 2 years later, neither the first nor the second MIP ticket will be eligible for expungement.

MIP expungement is a court procedure. You will need to hire an attorney to file the petition for expungement and appear at the hearing on your behalf.

For more information about MIP expungement, read my previous blog post “How To Keep An MIP Ticket Off Your Criminal Record.”

The Missouri Department of Revenue website also has information about its requirements for expungement of MIP records.

Hire An Attorney To Fight Your MIP Ticket

An experienced criminal defense attorney can fight your MIP ticket and get the charge reduced to a less serious offense such as “Littering.” Or they can get your MIP ticket completely dismissed after you successfully complete probation.

Some factors that are considered in cases of Minor in Possession of Alcohol:

  • How old are you?
  • Do you have any prior arrests, charges, or convictions on your criminal record?
  • Is your case being prosecuted in municipal court or county circuit court?
  • How much alcohol were you caught with?
  • Was a motor vehicle involved?
  • Were you polite and respectful to the police officer?

What To Do If You Can’t Afford An Attorney For Your MIP Ticket

Public defenders in most counties in Missouri don’t represent people for misdemeanors in municipal court.

However, if your Minor in Possession of Alcohol case is being prosecuted in county circuit court, it is possible that you could qualify to have a public defender represent you. You will have to prove that you have no income and no family to help you hire an attorney.

To find out if you qualify for a public defender, contact the Missouri public defender’s office in the county in which your case is being prosecuted and fill out an application for services.

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For a free consultation about your Minor in Possession of Alcohol ticket, contact Missouri criminal defense attorney Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 or at [email protected]

How To Keep An MIP Ticket Off Your Criminal Record

MIP Ticket

An experienced attorney can get your MIP ticket dismissed or reduced so you won’t have a conviction on your criminal record or driving record.

The Punishment For Minor In Possession Of Alcohol Can Include Jail Time

For a first-time offender who has been convicted of Minor in Possession of Alcohol in Missouri, the maximum punishment is:

  • $300 fine
  • No Possibility of Jail Time

If you have previously been charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol, the maximum punishment is:

  • $1,000 fine and
  • 1 year in jail

Your Driver’s License Can Be Suspended If You Are Convicted Of Minor In Possession of Alcohol

If you are charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol under Missouri’s “Abuse & Lose” law and you plead guilty, your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days.

Your license will be revoked for 1 year if you plead guilty or are convicted of MIP for a 2nd time under the “Abuse & Lose” law.

An experienced attorney can review your case and tell you whether you are being charged under the “Abuse & Lose” law.

You can click here to read my previous blog post about how to get your driver’s license reinstated after pleading guilty to an MIP ticket.

An MIP Ticket Stays On Your Criminal Record and Driving Record Forever

Unfortunately, MIP tickets do not “drop off” of your record or “get sealed” after a certain number of years, or when you turn 21.

  • An MIP ticket stays on your CRIMINAL RECORD forever unless you file a petition for expungement in court and the judge approves it
  • An MIP ticket stays on your DRIVING RECORD forever unless you file a written request with the Missouri Department of Revenue asking for it to be removed

You Are Allowed To Expunge Only 1 MIP Ticket

Missouri allows you to expunge only 1 Minor in Possession of Alcohol conviction, and only if it’s a first-time offense.

FOR EXAMPLE: If you pleaded guilty to an MIP ticket at age 17, and then pleaded guilty to another MIP ticket 2 years later, neither the first nor the second MIP ticket would be eligible for expungement.

How To Get An MIP Ticket Removed From Your CRIMINAL RECORD

If you pleaded guilty to an MIP ticket and have had no other convictions on your criminal record since that time, you can hire an attorney to file a petition for expungement.

Your petition for expungement of your MIP ticket will be heard by the judge if you meet the following requirements:

  • At least 1 year has passed since you reached the age of 21
  • You have not been convicted of any other alcohol-related offenses since the original MIP conviction
  • You did not have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) when you received the MIP ticket
  • You were not driving a commercial motor vehicle when you received the MIP ticket

The petition for expungement must be filed in the court in which you originally pleaded guilty. There will be a hearing before a judge, who will determine whether to grant your request to expunge your MIP conviction.

How To Get An MIP Ticket Removed From Your DRIVING RECORD

To get an old MIP ticket expunged (removed) from your driving record, you must mail a written request to the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) in Jefferson City, Missouri. Click here to read the DOR’s requirements for expungement.

You are not eligible to have your MIP conviction expunged from your driving record until after you reach age 21 and at least 5 years have passed since your driver’s license was reinstated.

To read more about expungement of an MIP ticket, see my previous blog post “MIP Expungement – Remove The Record Of Your Minor In Possession of Alcohol Ticket.”

Don’t Plead Guilty To An MIP Ticket

Some people plead guilty to Minor in Possession of Alcohol because they don’t want to tell their parents they got the ticket and they can’t afford to hire an attorney without their parents’ financial assistance.

Be warned: If you plead guilty to an MIP ticket, you will have an alcohol-related conviction on your permanent criminal record, which will prevent you from getting a job or internship, renting an apartment, or being accepted into the college of your choice.

An Attorney Can Get Your MIP Ticket Dismissed Or Reduced To A Less Serious Offense

You can hire an attorney to negotiate a plea bargain deal with the court to get your MIP charge either:

  • Dismissed after a period of probation, or
  • Reduced to a less serious offense such as “Littering”

An experienced attorney can review your case and give you an estimate of what they can do for you.

Some factors that the court will consider:

  • Your age
  • Your criminal history
  • The amount of alcohol that was involved
  • Your behavior toward the police officer who issued the MIP ticket

If the judge agrees to dismiss or reduce your Minor in Possession charge, you might have to do some or all of the following:

  • Complete a 1-day alcohol education class
  • Do a few hours of community service
  • Pay a fine and court costs
  • Make a donation to the local Law Enforcement Restitution Fund
  • Serve a period of time on probation

How To Request A Public Defender To Represent You For Your MIP Ticket

If your MIP case is being prosecuted in state court and you can’t afford to hire a private attorney, you can contact the public defender’s office in the county in which your case is being prosecuted to see if you qualify for free representation. You will have to prove that you have no income and no family who can help you hire an attorney.

Unfortunately, public defenders do not represent defendants for misdemeanors in most municipal courts in Missouri, so you will have to hire a private criminal defense attorney if your case is being prosecuted in a municipal court.

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For a free consultation about your MIP ticket, call St. Louis MIP lawyer Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 or email Andrea at [email protected]

Minor In Possession – What To Do If You Get A Ticket For Underage Drinking

MIP Ticket

You can avoid getting a conviction for Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP) on your criminal record and driving record if you hire an experienced lawyer to fight your MIP ticket for you.

What Does Minor In Possession Mean?

In Missouri, it is illegal for anyone under age 21 to drink alcohol. If you get caught drinking underage, police could give you a ticket for “Minor in Possession of Alcohol,” “MIP,” or “Underage Drinking.”

Click here to read the law in Missouri for Minor in Possession of Alcohol, which is RSMO 311.325.

Even if you don’t get caught actually drinking alcohol, you can receive a ticket for Minor In Possession Of Alcohol in Missouri if you:

  • Buy (or try to) buy liquor
  • Possess liquor
  • Are “visibly intoxicated”
  • Have a blood alcohol content of more than .02%

FYI – The police are not required to breathalyze you before issuing an MIP ticket, and you don’t have to be drunk to get an MIP ticket.

What Is “Minor In Possession By Consumption”?

Police can give you an MIP ticket even if there is no open container in your possession and the officer did not actually see you take a drink of alcohol.

If a police officer sees someone under age 21 acting “visibly intoxicated” at a house party or outdoor concert but that person is not actually holding a beer can or a red Solo cup, the officer can still issue an MIP ticket. The reason for this is that the person is considered legally in possession of alcohol because they physically consumed alcohol.

The punishment for Minor In Possession Of Alcohol By Consumption is the same as for Minor In Possession Of Alcohol.

You can read more about Minor In Possession Of Alcohol By Consumption in my blog post titled “Get Your MIP Charge Reduced And Keep It Off Your Record.”

Punishment For Minor in Possession of Alcohol or Underage Drinking in Missouri

If you are a first-time offender and you plead guilty to Minor in Possession of Alcohol or Underage Drinking in Missouri, the maximum punishment is:

  • $300 Fine
  • No Jail Time

If you have been charged with MIP before, the maximum punishment is:

  • $1,000 Fine and
  • 1 year in jail

Jail time is not likely for a repeat offender if they have an experienced criminal defense attorney representing them, but you may be placed on probation, be required to perform a few hours of community service, attend an alcohol education class, and/or pay a donation to the local school fund.

What Is The “Abuse & Lose” Law In Missouri?

Anyone under age 21 can be charged under the “Abuse & Lose” law in Missouri, which means:

  • Your driver’s license can be suspended for 90 days (if it’s a 1st offense) for any offense involving the possession or use of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle
  • Your driver’s license can be revoked for 1 year (for a 2nd offense) for any offense involving the possession or use of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle

If you are under age 18 and it’s your 2nd time being charged with an offense involving the possession or use of alcohol (NOT while operating a motor vehicle), the same punishment applies as listed above, which means your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked.

What Happens If You Plead Guilty To Minor In Possession Of Alcohol In Missouri

If you plead guilty to a first-time offense of Minor In Possession Of Alcohol, the judge may sentence you to pay a fine without requiring community service, probation, or completion of an alcohol education class.

However, pleading guilty to MIP will cause a conviction for MIP to show up on your permanent criminal record.

Having an alcohol-related conviction such as MIP on your criminal record may prevent you from obtaining a job or internship, renting an apartment, or getting accepted into college.

Minor In Possession Of Alcohol Convictions Stay On Your Record Forever

Unfortunately, a conviction for Minor In Possession Of Alcohol or Underage Drinking will not get “sealed” or “drop off” of your record after a few years.

If you plead guilty to Minor In Possession Of Alcohol, that conviction stays on your CRIMINAL RECORD forever unless you hire an attorney to get it expunged

In addition, a conviction for Minor In Possession Of Alcohol stays on your DRIVING RECORD forever unless you ask the Missouri Department of Revenue to remove it.

An MIP conviction is not eligible for removal from your driving record until you reach age 21 and 5 years have passed since your driver’s license was reinstated.

Click here for more information about removal of your MIP conviction from your driving record, or consult the Missouri Department of Revenue website.

You Can Get An MIP Conviction Expunged From Your Criminal Record

Expungement of an MIP conviction is possible if it was your first offense and you have had a clean record since the original conviction date.

You are allowed to expunge only one MIP conviction in your lifetime, and only if it it your first offense.

I discuss MIP expungement in more depth in my previous blog post “MIP Expungement – Remove The Record Of Your Minor In Possession Of Alcohol Ticket.”

Hire A Lawyer To Get Your MIP Ticket Dismissed Or Reduced To A Less Serious Offense

It is very likely that you will NOT have to appear in court if you have an experienced lawyer representing you for your MIP ticket. Your lawyer will negotiate a plea bargain deal to get your MIP ticket either:

  • Reduced to a less serious offense, such as “Littering,” or
  • Dismissed completely

The outcome of your case depends on:

  • Your age
  • Your behavior toward the police officer
  • Your criminal history
  • Which court your case is being prosecuted in

In more serious cases in which 1) the defendant has prior convictions or 2) defendant’s case is being prosecuted in state court, the defendant may be required to do one or all of the following:

  • Be placed on probation
  • Attend an alcohol education class
  • Do a few hours of community service
  • Pay a “donation” to the local school fund
  • Have your driver’s license suspended or revoked (if charged under “Abuse & Lose” law)

If you consult an experienced criminal defense attorney, they can give you a flat-fee price quote for how much they will charge to represent you, including an estimate of the outcome of your case and an estimate of the amount of any fines and court costs you may have to pay.

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For a free consultation about your Minor in Possession of Alcohol ticket, call criminal defense attorney Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 or email Andrea at [email protected]

MIP Expungement – Remove The Record of Your Minor in Possession of Alcohol Ticket

MIP Expungement

Missouri MIP expungement law allows a first-time offender to remove a Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP) conviction from their criminal record.

You will need to hire an attorney to file a petition to expunge your MIP conviction, and there will be a hearing before a judge. The petition must be filed in the court where you were sentenced for the original MIP ticket.

If your request for an expungement is granted, all records of your arrest, plea, trial, and conviction will be removed from your criminal record.

You Must Be a First-Time Offender to Qualify For an MIP Expungement

In Missouri, you can request an MIP expungement if the following is true:

  • At least 1 year has passed since you reached the age of 21
  • You have not been convicted of any other alcohol-related offenses since the original MIP conviction
  • You did not have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) when you received the MIP ticket
  • You were not driving a commercial motor vehicle when you received the MIP ticket

How Many Times Are You Eligible For an MIP Expungement?

In Missouri, you are allowed to expunge only 1 Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP) conviction, and only if it’s a first-time offense.

For example, let’s say you pleaded guilty to MIP at age 17, and then 2 years later you pleaded guilty again to another MIP ticket. At that point, neither the first nor the second MIP conviction would be eligible for expungement.

Why Should You Try to Expunge Your Minor in Possession of Alcohol Conviction?

Having an alcohol-related conviction on your criminal record can affect your ability to do the following:

  • Get accepted into college
  • Get a job or an internship
  • Rent an apartment

In addition, an MIP conviction will cause your license to be suspended for 30 days if it’s a first offense. Your license will be suspended for 90 days if it’s a second conviction, and it will be revoked for 1 year for a third MIP conviction.

When Can You Request an MIP Expungement?

You must wait until 1 year has passed after reaching age 21 before you can file a petition to expunge your MIP conviction.

How Long Does an MIP Conviction Stay On Your Criminal Record and Driving Record?

MIP convictions do NOT automatically “drop off” of your criminal record or driving record after a certain period of time.

  • An MIP conviction stays on your criminal record forever unless you get it expunged
  • An MIP conviction stays on your driving record forever unless you request that it be removed

If you have reached age 21 and 5 years have passed since your driver’s license was reinstated, you can send a written request to the Missouri Department of Revenue to ask them to remove the MIP conviction from your driving record.

How to Get Your Driver’s License Reinstated After Being Suspended For an MIP Conviction

Here’s how to get your Missouri driver’s license reinstated after a suspension or revocation due to an MIP conviction:

  • Complete the Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and send proof to the Missouri Driver License Bureau
  • Pay a $45 reinstatement fee to the Missouri Driver License Bureau
  • If your license was suspended, you won’t have to re-take the driving test unless your license expired while on suspension and has been expired for more than 184 days (6 months)
  • If your license was revoked (instead of suspended), you will have to re-take the driving test
  • If your license was revoked (instead of suspended), you will have to submit an SR-22 form (get this from your insurance company to prove your car has liability coverage) for 2 years after your license revocation date

Hire an Attorney To Fight Your MIP Charge

If you have been charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP) or Underage Drinking in Missouri but you have not pleaded guilty, you can hire an attorney to get your MIP ticket dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense, such as “Littering.”

Fighting your MIP charge in court is cheaper than pleading guilty and hiring an attorney to expunge your MIP conviction later.

If you already pleaded guilty, you can hire an attorney to withdraw your guilty plea and negotiate a plea bargain deal with the Prosecutor to get your MIP charge dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense.

Please note that withdrawing your guilty plea is more difficult if too much time has passed since your conviction date, or if you had an attorney representing you when you pleaded guilty.

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If you need help with your Missouri Minor in Possession of Alcohol ticket, call St. Louis MIP lawyer Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 or email her at [email protected]

Minor in Possession of Alcohol Tickets Can Be Dismissed or Reduced To a Lesser Offense

Minor in Possession of Alcohol

To get your Minor in Possession of Alcohol ticket dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense, you will need to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight your MIP charge in court.

An Attorney Can Fight Your MIP Ticket

An experienced attorney can convince the Prosecutor to amend your Minor in Possession of Alcohol ticket to “Littering” and only require you to pay a fine and court costs, or possibly dismiss your MIP ticket after you complete an alcohol education class and/or do a few hours of community service and pay court costs.

The outcome of your MIP case depends on:

  • Which court your case is being prosecuted in
  • Your age
  • Your criminal history
  • Whether you were charged under the “Abuse & Lose” law
  • The skill and experience of the attorney who is representing you
  • The specific details of your case

When Can Police Issue a Ticket for Minor in Possession of Alcohol?

The blood alcohol limit is .02 in Missouri for underage drinking, but a police officer can issue an MIP ticket without administering a breathalyzer test if you are under age 21 and:

  • The police officer believes you are visibly intoxicated
  • The police officer sees that you possess intoxicating liquor
  • There is evidence that you purchased or attempted to purchase intoxicating liquor

Common situations in which a police officer will issue a ticket for Minor in Possession of Alcohol:

  • Liquor Store – You are underage and try to buy wine or liquor
  • Traffic Stop – Police pull you over for a traffic violation and see a beer can or liquor bottle in your vehicle
  • Concert – Undercover police officer sees you drinking alcohol in the parking lot before attending a concert
  • Mardi Gras/St. Patrick’s Day Parade/4th of July Celebration – Police officer sees you drinking alcohol at a public outdoor event
  • House Party – You are at a house party and the police show up and issue MIP tickets to everyone at the party who seems intoxicated

PLEASE NOTE:  Other charges involving underage drinking, such as “Providing Alcohol to a Minor” and “Using a Fake I.D.” are sometimes considered more serious than Minor in Possession of Alcohol tickets by prosecutors and judges.

Don’t Plead Guilty To Minor in Possession of Alcohol

Many people incorrectly believe that an MIP charge will automatically “drop off” of their criminal record after the defendant reaches age 21. This is not true. Pleading guilty will cause you to have a conviction for Minor in Possession of Alcohol on your permanent criminal record forever, until you hire an attorney to petition the court to have it expunged.

Having an alcohol-related conviction on your criminal record can prevent you from getting a job and may negatively affect your chances of being accepted into the college of your choice.

A First-Time MIP Conviction Can Be Expunged After You Plead Guilty

If you already pleaded guilty to Minor in Possession of Alcohol, you can hire an attorney to expunge the MIP conviction from your criminal record. Here is some important information if you are considering hiring an attorney to expunge your MIP conviction:

  • Defendants are allowed only 1 expungement pursuant to RSMO 311.326
  • Your attorney must file a petition to expunge your MIP conviction in the court where you were sentenced
  • There will be a hearing in front of a judge
  • If the judge agrees to the expungement, the records of your MIP arrest, plea, trial, and conviction will all be expunged
  • The petition to expunge your MIP conviction can’t be filed until after a period of not less than 1 year after you reach age 21

Expunging the conviction after you have pleaded guilty to MIP is more expensive than hiring a lawyer to get the MIP charge dismissed or reduced when you were first charged. Also, there is no guarantee that the judge will agree to expunge your MIP conviction.

Jail Time Is Possible For Repeat MIP Offenders

For first-time offenders charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol or Underage Drinking in Missouri, the maximum fine is $300 with no possibility of jail time.

If you get charged with MIP a second time, it’s considered a class A misdemeanor and the maximum punishment is 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

A Minor in Possession of Alcohol Ticket Can Cause You To Lose Your Driver’s License

If you are charged with MIP under Missouri’s “Abuse & Lose” law, your driver’s license can be suspended for 90 days if it’s your first offense. The suspension of your license is in addition to the fine and possible jail time (if you have prior convictions on your criminal record). You can call the court  clerk or ask your attorney to determine if you have been charged under the “Abuse & Lose” law.

Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at (573) 751-4475 or go to their website if you have questions about how to get reinstated after your license was suspended due to an MIP conviction.

How Long Does an MIP Conviction Stay On Your Record?

An MIP conviction stays on your criminal record forever, unless you hire an attorney to expunge it.

In addition, an MIP conviction remains on your driving record for 5 years after your license reinstatement date, and then you must send a written request to the Missouri Department of Revenue asking them to remove it from your driving record.


Call St. Louis criminal defense attorney Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 for a free consultation about your case and get a flat-fee price quote for how much she will charge to represent you. Or email Andrea at [email protected]

 

How to Get Your MIP (Minor in Possession of Alcohol) Ticket Dismissed or Reduced To a Lesser Offense

An attorney can help get your MIP (Minor in Possession of Alcohol) ticket dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense, thus avoiding an MIP conviction on your criminal record and suspension of your driver’s license.

The outcome of your MIP case depends on:

  • Your past criminal history
  • Which court your case is being prosecuted in, and
  • The details of your specific case

If you plead guilty to a Minor in Possession of Alcohol charge, you will have an MIP conviction on your criminal record forever, which may prevent you from getting a job or being accepted into college.

How Can an Attorney Help You Fight Your MIP Ticket?

You will need an attorney to represent you if you want to fight your MIP ticket.

Your attorney may be able to convince the Prosecutor to amend your MIP charge to “Littering” and only require you to pay a fine and court costs, with no court appearance required.

Other Missouri courts are more strict and will require you to serve probation, do community service, and possibly complete an alcohol education class.

What Does “Minor in Possession of Alcohol” Mean?

Missouri police officers issue tickets to minors for MIP when they believe a person under age 21 is guilty of misdemeanor “Minor in Possession” or “Possession by Consumption” by doing the following:

  • purchasing or attempting to purchase intoxicating liquor,
  • possessing any intoxicating liquor,
  • appearing to be visibly intoxicated, or
  • having a detectable blood alcohol content of more than two-hundredths of one percent or more

What’s the Penalty For an MIP in Missouri?

For a first-time MIP charge in Missouri, the maximum penalty is a $300 fine. For a 2nd MIP conviction, the maximum penalty is 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

In addition, your driver’s license can be suspended for 90 days if you are charged under the Missouri “Abuse & Lose” law.

MIP Convictions Don’t Automatically Get Expunged Once You Turn 21

Contrary to popular belief, MIP convictions are not automatically removed from your criminal record once you turn 21. A petition for expungement must be filed with the court, and the judge must approve it, before the record of your MIP can be removed.

Your best option is to hire an attorney to represent you for the MIP ticket, rather than pleading guilty to the MIP charge and then hiring an attorney later to expunge the record of your MIP.

How To Get an MIP Conviction Expunged

To get a first-time MIP conviction expunged from Missouri court records, hire an attorney to file a petition for expungment in court. The petition for expungement can not be filed until either 1 year has passed since the conviction date or you have turned age 21, whichever comes first.

Once a petition for expungement of your MIP has been filed in court, there will be a hearing in front of a judge. Your attorney will have to prove that there are no other alcohol-related convictions or law enforcement contacts on your criminal record since your original MIP conviction.


If you have received a ticket in Missouri for MIP (Minor in Possession of Alcohol) and would like to get a price quote for legal representation, call St. Louis MIP lawyer Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 or email her at [email protected]