| The leading cause of death among youth is not | | | | underage person has been convicted of an MIC. Of |
| disease or anything else unpreventable. The major killer | | | | course, if you are under 21 and drinking in sight of your |
| of young people is alcohol. This is a completely | | | | parents or guardian and with permission, you may not |
| preventable occurrence, so it should come as no | | | | be given an MIC. |
| surprise that the penalty of underage drinking is harsh. | | | | A Public Intoxication, or PI, is given to an individual who |
| Those under 21 can be ticketed with an alphabet soup | | | | is intoxicated in public to the point of being a danger to |
| of offenses: MIP, MIC, PI, and of course, a DUI/DWI. | | | | himself/herself or others. Both adults over 21 and |
| Knowing what you are carded with can help you | | | | minors can be convicted of a PI. For a legally aged |
| develop a strategy to handle your crime. | | | | adult, a PI usually results in a fine. However, Texas' |
| A minor-specific ticket option is an MIP, or Minor In | | | | strict policy on underage drinking causes a minor |
| Possession. Less frequently, an MIP is also called a | | | | charged with a PI to undergo more punishment than |
| PAULA, or Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal | | | | someone of legal drinking age. A minor charged with a |
| Age. The description of an MIP and the consequences | | | | PI will have their license revoked for 30 days. Of |
| of such an offense vary from state to state. In | | | | course, with more PI tickets, a minor's license |
| Washington state, an MIP can be given to minors who | | | | suspension can last even longer. |
| have firearms in their possession as well. In Missouri, an | | | | A DUI or DWI, or driving under the influence of alcohol, |
| MIP ticket can result in a revoked or suspended | | | | can be assigned to a minor even when their BAC is |
| license. Texas, which operates under a strict "Zero | | | | below the level of .08. This is because minors are not |
| Tolerance" Policy for minors in possession of alcohol, | | | | allowed to drink at all, so any indication of alcohol is |
| gives an MIP for a minor holding an open container for | | | | considered a crime. DUIs are very serious offenses |
| any reason. Occasionally, an MIP can be given if the | | | | for minors. You might suffer a license suspension, and |
| minor is not even drinking at all, but is at a party where | | | | a Texas DUI can stay on your record permanently if |
| alcohol is being served. | | | | your civil case is not dismissed. |
| Another under-21 crime is an MIC, or a Minor In | | | | The best bet is for minors to avoid alcohol altogether |
| Consumption. In Texas, again due to its rigid anti-alcohol | | | | until they reach the age of 21. Organizations such as |
| stance, it is illegal for a minor to drink at all. This means | | | | MADD and SADD work to prevent underage drinking, |
| that even if you blow a .001 on a breathalyzer as a | | | | and if you are in Texas, the repercussions of minors |
| minor, you can be ticketed for an MIC. The punishment | | | | drinking are serious. If you or someone you know |
| for an MIC varies; fines, jail time, community service, or | | | | receives an MIP, MIC, PI, or DUI/DWI as a minor, it can |
| a combination of these are all permissible if an | | | | be important to speak to an attorney. |