If found guilty, will a petty misdemeanor stay on my record?
Question Details:
I received a citation at a football game for underage drinking. Will my license be suspended as well? I'm trying to decide whether or not I should try and fight it.
Misdemeanors can indeed show up on your record. If you attempt any type of licensing application of which a background check is required, then it may show up and you will have to explain yourself. If you indeed drank under the legal age of drinking, then you need to consider your legal options for your future. If your state requires that upon conviction your license will be immediately suspended for a time period (some states do require this), then consider a plea bargain or alternative conviction. Talk to a lawyer to see if your state of Hawaii allows you to do and complete community service, pay a small fine or both in exchange for having this "conviction" or charge off of your record. If your state allows for expungement of the record, see if after a specific time period you can get it cleared from your record. You want to make sure you take care of this now before 5 or 10 years down the line while either in school or applying for a job you wind up being rejected or disqualified simply because of a citation.
