The Legal Punishments for Drinking Under The Age of 21

Do you have teenagers living in your home? We were all younger once, right? Everyone makes mistakes and there are consequences for those mistakes. Our law firm at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you information on the legal punishments for drinking alcohol under the age of 21. If you're a parent who needs an EXPERIENCED criminal defense attorney in Lake Ozark for your teen, call Gibbons Law Firm at 573-348-2211.

The Legal Punishments for Drinking Under The Age of 21

INCARCERATION MAY BE IN YOUR FUTURE.

A potential punishment for underage drinking is to serve jail time. A criminal charge, like underage drinking, can follow a person around for a lifetime. This type of charge can make it hard to find a job, get insurance, and make major purchases in the future. Avoid being charged with a crime and serving time in jail - the future you will thank you!

YOU MAY POTENTIALLY HAVE TO PERFORM SERVICES AROUND YOUR COMMUNITY.

If you are caught drinking under age, it is likely part of your punishment will be in the form of community service of some sort. If this is your first offense, a judge may give you the option to put in a certain amount of hours doing community service. During this time serving the community, you are to be thinking about the decision you made to break the law and how to avoid this type of action in the future. 

YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE COULD GET SUSPENDED.

You can lose your driver's license if you are convicted of underage drinking. The revocation of your license can put a big damper on your social life. As many people rely on personal transportation for a number of reasons. Work, visiting family, going to school, traveling to friends - these are all popular reasons a person may need access to transportation. If you lose your license, you may have to rely on public transportation or friends and family to get you to and from your destination. 

YOU MAY HAVE TO PAY A FINE.

You may face hefty fines if you are caught drinking under the age of 21. These fines are not worth underage drinking. A fine can put a big strain on your financial situation. A young person typically does not have a big disposable income and a fine can be detrimental to your lifestyle. 

Need An Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney?

Gibbons Law Firm is here for you! Give us a call today. Your first consultation is FREE. We can be reached at the phone number listed below. You can also follow us on our social media channels listed below to stay up to date on our latest legal tips. Gibbons Law Firm represents clients in all types of felony and misdemeanor cases. Roger Gibbons has successfully tried hundreds of criminal cases of all types. We're here for you! Get the legal defense you deserve today.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

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Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Theft, Robbery, Burglary - They Aren't The Same!

Theft, robbery, & burglary...these three terms are often confused or misunderstood. While they are all convictable crimes, they are different by definition. As your trusted lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, our law firm wants to help you stay informed, should you experience one of the above crimes. Take a look below to learn more about theft, robbery, and burglary!

Theft

Theft is known as the act of taking something that belongs to someone else with the intent of depriving them of it. Stealing is another way to define theft. Theft can happen almost anywhere. A home, from a purse out and about, from an employee at a business - there are many opportunities for someone to steal.

Robbery

Robbery is defined as unlawfully taking property from a person or place using force or threats. An example of robbery is when a criminal comes into a convenience store and holds the cashier at gunpoint until they give them money from the drawer or safe. The criminal is taking the money from the gas station while threatening the employee with the gun.

Burglary

Defined as entry into a building or property with intent to commit a crime - such as theft. It can still be considered burglary if the criminal does not break into the property. If the person easily enters the building - without breaking a window or door to do so, it is still defined as burglary.

Have you or someone you know been a victim of one of the crimes listed above? It's important to know your rights and seek damages for what you have been deprived of. Often times, a criminal convicted of theft, robbery, or burglary are sentenced to time in jail and/or repayment of the valuables taken without consent. If you have fell victim to a similar crime, you deserve to have your belongings replaced or compensated, in the least. Call our lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks today!

Have you been accused of one of the above crimes? It's important to have legal representation to help you through the entire process. You are innocent until proven guilty, in the eyes of the law. A criminal defense attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks can help to ensure your rights are respected.

Now that you know the difference between these three crimes, you can feel more confident should you be a target in one of these occurrences. Instead of being overwhelmed by the legal jargon, you can easily distinguish between these three crime types. If you are a victim of theft, robbery, or burglary, our Lake of the Ozarks law firm is here for you! We can help discuss your legal options and see how you want to move forward with your case. Give Gibbons Law Firm a call to set up your first FREE consultation.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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How the Bail System Works

"The bail has been posted", "My brother bailed me out of jail", and "The bail has been set at $10,000" are all phrases we have likely heard. Most of us are exposed to statements regarding bail, whether it be in real-life or on your favorite television show. Many people know that bail is the temporary release of someone awaiting trial for a crime in which they were arrested, but there is much more to the bail system than that.

As your criminal defense lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, our law firm knows how important it is to know the ins and outs of the bail system. Even if you don’t plan on needing this knowledge, you never know when a friend or family member will call you for bail. Take a look below to learn more about the Missouri bail system and how it may affect you.

The Basics:

After the police take someone into custody, they will be fingerprinted and photographed and then held in a cell. A bond amount is then set for the individual. This amount can vary from $500 to $500,000, depending on the severity of the crime. In order for the individual to get released, a friend or family member must bring in cash or a cashier's check in the amount the bond is set. This amount is to ensure to individual being accused will show up to court, where the money will be refunded. The individual may have to stay in holding until the court date, if no one can provide the funds needed for bail. See the point about bail bonds for other options when it comes to paying bail.

All About Bail Bonds:

When the individual nor friends or family members are able to pay the bail amount and it is not reasonable to stay in jail until the trial (which can be schedule months out), another alternative is available. A bail bond agent can provide the funds needed to cover bail, for a small fee - usually 10% of the bail amount. The individual is free to go until his or her court date, once the bail is posted by the agent. The bond agent is held responsible to the court to ensure the individual attends his or her court date. If they do not show up, the agent is now held liable to the court for the full bail amount. A "bounty hunter" may be hired by the bond agent to locate the individual and ensure he or she does not miss their court date.

Earlier we discussed the bond bail amount is usually 10% of the total bond amount. There is another alternative for an individual who cannot afford that amount - a bond loan. The bond agent may negotiate another form of payment of collateral to be taken out against the person in need of being bailed out of jail. This payment may come in the form of a car or home deed or a "signer" who promises to repay the amount, if the individual is unable to do so. Many bond agents will accept an individual with good credit and/or financial backing to be a "signer" for the person who is needing bailed out.

If you are arrested, it's important to know your options. A professional lawyer near the Lake of the Ozarks is available for you to seek representation. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the entire process - starting with bail. Contact Gibbons Law Firm as soon as possible when our services are needed. Don't forget, your first consultation is always free!

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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