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[Edited on May 8, 2007 at 12:16 AM. Reason : jh]

5/8/2007 12:16:01 AM

Quote :

"very few employers are going to care about an open container ticket. "

5/8/2007 12:22:56 AM

I realize that this is just a slap on the wrist, and I understand most of you saying don't waste money on a lawyer, but if I can be assured it won't ever be a problem for an extra $100 now, the cost vs. benefit for me seems to be there for getting a lawyer.

5/8/2007 12:46:52 AM

did the cop act all serious

like you were comitting a felony and on the way to federal pound me in the ass prison

those are the best cops, the ones that act like they are doing you a favor by giving you a drinking ticket

5/8/2007 1:39:14 AM

Actually, the two cops who gave my friend and me our tickets were nice guys. Even though they were completely wrong on the consequences (nothing goes on our record, doesn't affect employment, ect) they were at least nice about it. There was one "head cop" who kept his thumbs tucked into his belt and tried to puff his chest a little bit. When I was talking to my cop about what he was having me sign I asked about what would happen if I didn't, the head guy came over and said "REFUSAL TO SIGN, TAKE IT AWAY. Sorry son you had your chance." and snatched away the form. He wouldn't look me in the eye or address me and told me to "move along". The cop handling me told me not to worry about it and to enjoy the rest of the hike. My lawyer also said that whatever he took away from me was of no consequence.

[Edited on May 8, 2007 at 1:49 AM. Reason : .]

5/8/2007 1:46:15 AM

As much as you want to play the "cops suck" card.

You were the one breaking the law.


The cops were looking the other way the entire night and probably gave out one ticket to every 300 people in attendance.

It sucks you got a ticket, but just man up an realize you were the one who got a little too drunk and decided to strut around instead of falling in line with the other 4,000 people out that night.


Personally, I'd pay the lawyer. Anything that costs under $1,000 is worth it. You'll be pissing $1,000 bills away in 20 years but who knows how important a clean record might be worth.

5/8/2007 2:50:33 AM

I totally agree. It was my fault and I know it was stupid, even though drinking a beer outside seems like a stupid reason to get a ticket. That being said, I knew previously it was against the law so I don't have much room to whine. I was just responding to the question about the cops attitude towards us.

5/8/2007 2:54:10 AM

Hey you have a great attitude about the situation. I wasn't trying to say you're being a whiner.

Personally, I think it sucks you got a ticket for that, but the situation you've got is the situation you've gotta deal with.

it all depends on how much "piece of mind" is worth to you. I'd get the lawyer.

5/8/2007 3:01:13 AM

If the 300 you're paying includes everything then you should get him. Even more so if he thinks he can get it dismissed, yes these remain on your court record but at least it states dismissed.

Hell if you took care of it yourself by just admitting guilt it would cost 160 (with fine and court cost). Plus you won't have to wait in court all day and take a day off etc.

[Edited on May 8, 2007 at 3:14 AM. Reason : .]

5/8/2007 3:09:17 AM

Try underage drinking, with an open container ticket, with unirinating in public, and then when they take you to the car they check your wallet and there is a fake in there. followed by a speeding ticket a week later...WHAMMY. BUT on that note it is good that in that town I knew a judge and got all of it dropped...(HOWEVAAAAAAA!!!!) It still shows up on your record as charged but not guilty, some places are douches and will want NOTHING to show up at all. Again call someone like Curtis High. He is a great lawyer. If you need any advice PM me or message on here.

5/8/2007 3:17:18 AM

This is what he laid out for me:

Scenario 1: I do it myself. I pay the fine of $110, pay court costs, and pay for the alcohol education class. Total is ~ $200. I am not charged due to deferred prosecution but must answer yes to employers if they ask about deferred prosecution.

Scenario 2: I let him do it and he gets it dismissed. I pay him $300 and I never think of it again.

Scenario 3: I let him do it and he can not get it dismissed. My total is the sum of Scenarios 1 and 2 with the consequences of Scenario 1.

He told me that while he can not absolutely promise me anything he is very confident that he get an outright dismissal. I feel confident that I can believe him because he in no way tried to hard sell us, he even said that if we handled it ourselves it wouldn't be the end of the world. However, considering my situation and my friend's situation (he is currently seeking employment) he suggested that we let him try to get it dismissed. Considering I will most likely be paying only $100 more, it seems more than worth it. Considering I have spent $100 in a weekend for my friend's birthday before, it seems a small price to pay not to sweat for the next 7 years everytime I have a background check.

5/8/2007 3:21:23 AM

Scenario 1 is the 90/96 program, the court cost are 110, the fine is 50, and the classes were 100 when I did them. While it is a deffered prosecution, you can have it completely stricken from your records via expungement (it really is I've applied for a lot of jobs.

Also most of the people in those classes had lawyers, so don't assume it's just going to go away when you pay him (just saying this because it would suck to pay him 300 then have to pay all the scenario 1 fees).

[Edited on May 8, 2007 at 3:35 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on May 8, 2007 at 3:42 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on May 8, 2007 at 3:46 AM. Reason : .]

5/8/2007 3:34:18 AM

I am pretty sure he is gonna fight it and get it dismissed. No one at the court house is going to want to bother to take an open container citation for a bar crawl to trial.

Maybe if he was a bum and regurlarly got open container citations mid afternoon next to subway, but probably not even then. He can continue it until the court date the cop is at and then talk to the cop and if the cop and DA agree to dismiss it then its a done deal. The extra hundred bucks is definitly worht it just because you dont even have to go to court. With 90/96 you have to show up to court multiple times in addition to the classes. Not to mention if someone fucks up your paperwork (fairly common) you will probably get arrested some random ass morning at your house and hauled off to jail. I have known this to happen to more than one person in the 90/96 program.

5/8/2007 8:47:49 AM

Quote :

"it all depends on how much "piece of mind" is worth to you."

you can get this cool bike jersey for $80.

or are you looking for vintage vinyl?

5/8/2007 6:41:47 PM