Board Certified Criminal Law Specialization
As of the start of 2025, the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization listed only 62 Criminal Law Specialists in the entire State. Of these 62, only 41 are located in Maricopa County and are allowed to handle private cases. DM Cantor has 2 Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists, no other law firm in Arizona has more. When defending Minor in Possession Crimes Allegations, it is critical to have as many Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists on your Legal Team as is possible.
The Specialization process is so rigorous that only 34 current Criminal Law Specialists were Certified since the turn of the Century! In addition, all Specialists must be approved for Re-Certification every 5 years. At DM Cantor, our 2 Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists have conducted Jury Trials on countless Minor in Possession Crimes cases.
Every Major Felony Minor in Possession Crimes case defended by DM Cantor includes at least 1 Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist on the legal team who is directly handling or supervising the Defense.
We wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Best Phoenix Minor in Possession Law Team in Arizona
How do you know who has the best Minor in Possession Legal Defense Firm in Arizona? You begin by looking at the team’s experience. David Michael Cantor is a former Prosecutor, and a highly experienced Minor in Possession in Arizona Attorney who became a member of the Arizona State Bar in 1989. David then began his Arizona legal practice as an Assistant City Prosecutor for the City of Phoenix. Considered as one of the Top Minor in Possession Crime Defense Lawyers in Arizona, he then founded his own Criminal Defense firm and Arizona Minor in Possession Crime Defense Team, DM Cantor.
David is a highly-skilled Minor in Possession Defense Lawyer who knows the Minor in Possession laws backward and forward, and he will vigorously fight the Arizona State Attorney General or County Prosecutor on your behalf. Phoenix Minor in Possession Lawyer, and Criminal Defense Attorney David Cantor, wrote this webpage in order to give you an Arizona Minor in Possession Crimes overview as to how the DM Cantor Phoenix Minor in Possession Crimes Attorney Defense Team can prove your Innocence if you have been Falsely Accused of Minor in Possession. So whether you have a single Minor in Possession charge, or multiple charges, contact DM Cantor today!
In addition to Phoenix area experience, you next look to the Minor in Possession Defense Lawyer’s Results and Certifications. In addition to David Cantor being a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist, his partner (Christine Whalin) is also a Certified Criminal Law Specialists as well. No other Arizona Criminal Defense Firm has as many Complete Jury Trial Acquittals as DM Cantor. Click on the link below to see Questions to Ask when Interviewing a Minor in Possession Attorney to represent you in your Court case.
Beware: Be very cautious of visiting with a Criminal Law Firm who has you meet with a Non-Attorney Salesperson, rather than a Licensed Attorney. They will then try to sell their “legal services,” even though they are not allowed by the State Bar of Arizona to give legal advice. DM Cantor always has you meet with one of the Partners and Certified Criminal Law Specialists in our office when consulting us regarding a Minor in Possession charge.
What is Minor in Possession in Arizona?
The state of Arizona has tried to discourage minors from consuming alcohol by passing strict laws. The minor in possession, or MIP, laws aim to reduce alcohol consumption among people who are under the age of 21. Underage drinking is a concern because it can lead to actions such as driving under the influence, disorderly conduct and juveniles committing vandalism and other crimes. Our law firm has handled Minor in Possession and Minor in Consumption cases all over the state but particularly cases involving Arizona State and University of Arizona students in Tempe and Tucson. We also have successfully handled cases in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Chandler, Lake Havasu, and Gilbert. If you would like to speak with an attorney for free, give us a call at (602) 307-0808.
Minor in Possession (MIP) and Drinking Alcohol
People who are under the age of 21 are allowed inside of a bar in Arizona. However, they must be accompanied by a legal guardian, spouse or parent who is over the age of 21. Even though the minors can be allowed in a bar, they are not allowed to consume any alcohol.
Minor in Consumption (MIC) of Alcohol in a Public Place
It is illegal for anyone who is under the age of 21 to consume alcohol in public. However, there are a few exceptions that apply:
- Per ARS 4-226, Minors can consume alcohol for medical purposes as long as it does not threaten the safety or health of anyone in public.
- Per ARS 4-249, A minor can consume alcohol as a part of a religious service as long as it does not threaten the health or safety of the public.
Minors Obtain Alcohol Illegally
ARS 4-241L – If you are under the age of 21 and get a fake ID to purchase alcohol, then you will be charged with a Class 1 Misdemeanor. You can face a fine of up to $2,500, revocation of driver’s license for up to 6 months or 180 days, and jail time of up to 6 months. These are very harsh penalties for a minor obtaining alcohol illegally and you should consider hiring a lawyer to help with the charges.
ARS 4-241M – If you ask someone to purchase, give or sell alcohol to you, and you are under the age of 21, then you will be charged with a Class 3 Misdemeanor. The potential penalties include, fines up to $500, potential loss of driver’s license for 6 months, and possible jail time of up to 6 months.
ARS 4-241N – If you are a minor who uses a fake ID to get into a place that licensed to sell alcohol, then you will be charged with a Class 1 Misdemeanor. If arrested, you will be facing a fine of up to $2,500, suspended driver’s license for up to 6 months, and jail time of up to 6 months.
Minors In Licensed Establishment
ARS 4-244 – Businesses with liquor licenses are not allowed to sell alcohol to people who are under the age of 21. However, minors can enter the premises of the business if they are accompanied by a legal guardian, parent or spouse over the age of 21. A minor who is an employee on duty is also allowed to enter a business that sells alcohol. If this law is violated, then one can be charged with a Class 2 Misdemeanor and suffer the following consequences: fine of up to $750, and jail time of up to 6 months.
The State of Arizona takes Minor in Consumption of Alcohol (MIC) and Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP) very seriously as evident by the penalties associated with a conviction. If you or a loved one has been charged with any of the above crimes, the best thing you can do is come in and talk with one of our defense attorneys for free. We offer a free 30 minute consultation where one of our attorneys will find out about your case and then offer you our professional opinion.
Mitigation
When it comes to “Mitigation” regarding a charge of Minor in Possession Crimes, it is important to start that process right away. Not only can this help us with potentially convincing a Prosecutor to not file charges in the first place, but it may reduce the level of charges that they ultimately file. In addition, if there is a conviction later, this can be used to help reduce any type of Sentence if there is a “Range.” The Mitigating Factors which are considered by both the Prosecutor and the Courts includes Statutory and Non-Statutory elements.
Many items that we routinely include in our Mitigation Packages include Psychosexual Risk Evaluations; Polygraphs; Neuro-Psychological Evaluations; Counseling records; substance abuse Treatment and/or Rehabilitation; and a complete history of a person’s background. This can include Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), medical records, Counseling records, etc. Lastly. we often include what’s known as a “Proportionality Review/Sentencing Disparity” analysis in which we can show the Prosecutor and Court that similarly-situated Defendants received low Sentences. Click the link below to see a more detailed list of both Statutory and Non-Statutory Mitigating Factors.
Click here to see Helpful Mitigation Information
Work with a DM Cantor Phoenix Minor in Possession Lawyer Today For a Free Consultation
For a free consultation and free case evaluation with one of our Phoenix Minor in Possession Crimes Lawyers and Criminal Defense Lawyers, call our 24 hour Phoenix Minor in Possession Defense Lawyers Hotline at 602-307-0808 , or click here for a free consultation on any criminal cases. Our aggressive Minor in Possession Crimes Lawyers always offer free consultations for an initial visit with our Phoenix Minor in Possession Crimes Defense Attorneys. We are often considered to be the “best Minor in Possession Crimes Defense Lawyer”.
