Possession of alcohol in a state park (Raleigh: insurance, felony)

[sothereiwas]

Ok, so this past weekend I a "possession of alcohol in a state park" ticket at ravens rock. No huge deal but I want to see if anyone had gotten one of these before. No driving was involved so I wouldn't think there would be points on my license, right...

I'm 27 so it wasn't anything underage.

Got to love the $35 fine with $130 court costs

[lamishra]

Ugh. That stinks. Were you being obvious with it? (Just asking).

[sothereiwas]

No, it was the morning we were leaving and were packing everything up. Had a few bottles out that were about to go in a bag to hike back out. Ranger just popped up out of nowhere.

[NewUser]

I had that happen to me once. Came back to the campsite after hiking and opened a beer while making dinner. I was stupid and had the can sitting on the picnic table. Ranger inspected my cooler, where he found the rest of a 12-pack, gave me a ticket, and told me to have it all dumped out by the time he came back around from checking the other campsites . . . . . so I dumped it all out. . . . . . the one I was drinking went onto the ground to make a nice big puddle, and the other 11 went right into a big pitcher, which I stashed in my tent for later that night.

Nowadays I always open the bottle, pour it into a coffee cup, and then stash the bottle away again out of sight.

[cheapdad00]

Originally Posted by NewUser

I had that happen to me once. Came back to the campsite after hiking and opened a beer while making dinner. I was stupid and had the can sitting on the picnic table. Ranger inspected my cooler, where he found the rest of a 12-pack, gave me a ticket, and told me to have it all dumped out by the time he came back around from checking the other campsites . . . . . so I dumped it all out. . . . . . the one I was drinking went onto the ground to make a nice big puddle, and the other 11 went right into a big pitcher, which I stashed in my tent for later that night.

Nowadays I always open the bottle, pour it into a coffee cup, and then stash the bottle away again out of sight.

Like being back in the dorm all over again, having to mask alcohol consumption....

[peperoberto]

I've only been warned in the past. It is a pain when you're camping somewhere. Nothing refreshes more after a 15 mile hike than an cold beer.

Sorry to hear about the ticket. But it shouldn't affect your license, and since it sounds like a simple citation, it shouldn't show up on your record.

[grababun]

It will not affect your DL or insurance points but it will def go on your crminal record and follow you for the rest of your life. Consider:

1) going to court and talking to the DA to see if you quallify for a "deferral" program that would caused it to be dismissed, if they will dismiss the charge if you do community service, or will allow you to get a PJC, which is not technically a conviction. Or hire a lawyer.

2) these are handled differently in each judicial district so somebody elses experience may not be meaningful.

Good luck.

[BiggJoe4181]

I received a similar ticket when attending a concert at the new downtown Raleigh ampitheater. I believe it was a "Consumption of a malt beverage on goverment property" which makes it sound like I was sitting on the stairs of the Capitol building chugging a 40 when in fact I was sitting on my tailgate in a parking deck.

Long story short, plead guilty and now I have a criminal record (misdemeanor) that I have to disclose on all job applications. yay But it's easy enough to explain to someone and has not prevented me from getting a job.

[sothereiwas]

Originally Posted by grababun

It will not affect your DL or insurance points but it will def go on your crminal record and follow you for the rest of your life. Consider:

1) going to court and talking to the DA to see if you quallify for a "deferral" program that would caused it to be dismissed, if they will dismiss the charge if you do community service, or will allow you to get a PJC, which is not technically a conviction. Or hire a lawyer.

2) these are handled differently in each judicial district so somebody elses experience may not be meaningful.

Good luck.

Thanks for the response. Should I just show up on my court date to ask about the "deferral" or PJC? Is this worth getting a lawyer?

Sucks because there were a bunch of us out there but I took the blame so it would only be one ticket and not one for everyone.

Unless I'm mistaken on every job application I have seen it just asks about felony's.

I don't mind paying the fee but don't want some stupid thing on my record.

[BiggJoe4181]

Most job applications I've seen ask if you've ever been convicted or plead guilty to a misdemeanor or felony (excluding minor traffic violations).


As I said...it's easy enough to explain away...it is just a hassle to have to take the time to explain it.