Alcohol Drinking Ticket Attorney Greensboro, NC

We all have made our share of mistakes and bad decisions. And getting caught with an Open Container, Fake ID, is one of those things that we usually chalk up as a mistake from our youthful transgressions. However, what used to be a minor issue can become a big one if you’re not careful. A lot of these alcohol drinking tickets and related crimes are misdemeanors and can give you a criminal record if you’re not careful. The Award-Winning Attorneys at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law are here to help you with your Alcohol Tickets. Let’s look at them together and then discuss how our Alcohol Lawyers can help you.

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What is an Open Container charge?

Open container cases can be either a Misdemeanor or an Infraction. The difference between the two is you can possibly get jail time or a probation for a Misdemeanor and for an Infraction you cannot. Open Container law is governed by the North Carolina Statutes, to learn more about what the law specifically says: Open Container Law in NC

If you’ve been pulled over or stopped by the police and a law enforcement officer sees an open container inside of your car you can be charged with open container. Drivers and Passengers can both be charged with being in Possession of an Open Container. The person charged is the person who is Consuming or Drinking the Beverage.

What types of Alcohol are Considered for an Open Container?

Any container, containing alcohol where the seal is broken is considered an open container. The other key is where the alcohol is found. If it’s in the passenger area, meaning the main compartment of the car then you can be charged. However, if it’s in the trunk, North Carolina is pretty clear you should not be charged, unless there are facts supporting that you had moved it back there to get it away from you or to hide it from the police.

Top Rated Alcohol Drinking Ticket Lawyers Greensboro, NC

Can I be charged with Possessing an Open Container in an Uber, Lyft or Taxi?

In Greensboro, North Carolina, the short answer is no as long you are a Passenger. Passengers inside of vehicles for hire which include, Taxi’s, Uber’s, Lyft’s, Limo’s, Motor Homes and Other Recreational Vehicles where people can reside are considered exempt from open container laws. Remember, this law only exempts passengers in vehicles for hire and does not exempt drivers.

If you’re working as the driver of a vehicle for hire you can be charged with possession of a open container. In this situation it’s vital to speak with a top rated open container lawyer in Greensboro NC at the law firm, Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law.

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What if the Open Container is Empty and Trash?

Unfortunately, for all of us, the trash defense for an open container case doesn’t work. An empty open container is still considered a violation of the law and can result in an infraction or misdemeanor possession of an open container of alcohol charge.

Can I be charged with Open Container on a Golf Cart?

Yes. Vehicles, or motorized transports with an open container can result in an open container chare. This includes, Golf Carts, ATV’s, Moped’s and ATV’s. It’s still important to note that only the person who is consuming the alcohol can be charged.

ALCOHOL OFFENSE LAWYERS SERVING GREENSBORO, HIGH POINT and GUILFORD COUNTY, NC

What if More than One Person Are in the Car for an Open Container case?

This is a common example, let’s say 4 people are in a SUV. There’s an open container of liquor sitting on the center console. Whose alcohol Open Container is it? Well if no one takes responsibility and everyone has alcohol on their breaths then technically the officer can charge everyone in the car with being in Possession of an Open Container. The key for Open Container is being in Possession of it in the Passenger Compartment having Consumed Alcohol. When you combine those things, there is the possibility that you will be charged with being possession of an open container in Greensboro, North Carolina.

What is the Punishment for Open Container in North Carolina?

If the alcohol has not been consumed it’s an Infraction. An infraction is a non-criminal violation, meaning the person charged cannot be arrested but rather faces a maximum fine of $100 plus costs of court.

If the alcohol has been consumed then this is a misdemeanor charge. A driver who is a first time offender for an Open Container Charge in Guilford County, NC, faces up to 20 days in jail. If you have a prior offense, the second offense is a Class 2 Misdemeanor and you’re facing up to 60 days in jail. To learn more about misdemeanor sentencing: Misdemeanor Sentencing Chart in North Carolina. Most likely, our Criminal Lawyers in Greensboro will tell you that you’re facing a fine and possible probation if convicted of Open Container. The bigger issue here is that a conviction for Open Container will give you a Criminal Record and this could show up during a background-check for a job.

GARRETT, WALKER, AYCOTH & OLSON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW

317 S. GREENE ST, GREENSBORO, NC 27401

If you have been charged with an Alcohol Ticket or Related Alcohol Offense in North Carolina, it’s vital that you give yourself the best possible chance of keeping your record clear of a criminal conviction. The Award Winning Criminal Attorneys at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law are here to help you with your case and to fight for a outcome in your favor by utilizing our legal knowledge and vast experience helping clients with Alcohol Offenses.

This is why you should contact our  – Guilford County & Randolph County – Greensboro, High Point & Asheboro Lawyers to help with your Open Container Ticket today.

Call us at (336) 379-0539  to schedule a free, in-depth consultation with our Top Rated Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Our Top Rated Criminal Lawyers help clients with the following Alcohol Related Charges:

Our Law Firm spends a lot of time helping local College and High School Students with their Alcohol Offenses. We have helped students from the following institutions:

  1. North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T)
  2. University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)
  3. High Point University (HPU)
  4. Greensboro College (GC)
  5. Guilford County High Schools
  6. Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC)
  7. NC State University (NCSU)
  8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
  9. Elon University (EU)
  10. Appalachian State University (ASU)

Our Top Rated Criminal Lawyers help clients with the following Alcohol Related Charges:

  1. Open Container
  2. Underage Possession of Alcohol
  3. Underage Consumption of Alcohol
  4. Attempting to Obtain Alcohol by False ID (FAKE ID Cases)
  5. Obtaining Alcohol by False ID
  6. Intoxicated and Disruptive
  7. Driving After Consuming
  8. DUI
  9. DWI
  10. Aiding and Abetting the Purchase of Alcohol by a Minor

Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law is the law firm our college and high school students turn to for all of their legal needs not just alcohol offenses. We’re here to protect their futures.

The College Students were represent often call our offices with a lot of questions. The first one is can this be beat or can the charge be dismissed. Often our Criminal Defense Lawyers focus on trying to create pathways from where our client is currently facing criminal charges to a place where they can move forward with their lives. Sometimes we get the District Attorney to agree to Alcohol Classes and Community Service for a Dismissal, sometimes the District Attorney may agree to something more or less involved depending on the circumstances. Our goal is to get the ball back into your court so you then have control over what happens with your case. This can often take a couple of court dates and it’s important to be aware that this process is a marathon and not a sprint.

We also help students who are dealing with student disciplinary hearings and you can learn more here: Student Discipline Lawyers

How to find the Best Alcohol Offense Lawyer in Greensboro, High Point and Guilford County, NC

We pride ourselves in doing everything we can to protect our students from having a permanent criminal record that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. It’s vital that we protect our teenagers and college students from the negative consequences that could be a hindrance toward their future which is the entire purpose of their education. If you or someone you know is facing an alcohol charge in Greensboro, High Point or Asheboro, NC, speak with the Top Rated Alcohol Offense Lawyers in Greensboro NC at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law today! Our skilled Alcohol Offense Lawyers will fight for your rights and the rights of your loved on to make sure that their clean criminal record remains that way. Alcohol offeses, can become a big deal if not taken care of in the appropriate way. Give our law firm a call today and let us explain the process locally and what we can do to help you with your Open Container, Underage Consumption of Alcohol and other Alcohol offenses.

Greensboro Open Container Lawyer Google Reviews:

Client Review

“I would like to thank Mr. Aycoth and the staff for all the hard work they put in on my case. Being from out of state brought more anxiety to a already trying time. Y’all stayed in communication and put up with my many calls and nervousness. I really appreciate y’all and it was a pleasure to meet and talk with ya. Bless you all and continued success. (Go Birds).”                              February 24, 2023

Mark G.
Client Review

5/5 Stars