Q: I'm in 18 year who started a job kwikTrip for 2 weeks and today I had a man walk in with facial hair

And wanted to purchase alcohol I assumed he was old enough and sold it to him not sure after a cop came in took me in the bag and said I just sold a minor alcohol I am distraught I'm devastated I've never committed a crime I'm an emotional wreck I in fearful of even going back to work because they embarrassment I've never had any type of charge and I don't understand why a cop would send somebody in to try to purchase alcohol to get somebody else in trouble I've only been at this job for 2 weeks I understand that I should have id'd him but we were told if they look 25 or older and to make that assessment on our own and like I said he had facial hair and a beard and I thought he was of age never would have thought a cop would send someone in to do that I what are my rights and what can I do what can I be charged with and this is going to be on my record I've never had anything on my record before I feel like I don't want to go back to work I feel like I single out

2 Lawyer Answers
Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Saint Cloud, MN
  • Licensed in Minnesota

A: The charge of selling alcohol to an underage customer is a gross misdemeanor. Law enforcement performs these types of sting operations all the time. You are presumed innocent and cannot be found guilty unless you are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. You are entitled to an attorney and you should apply for a public defender if you cannot afford a private attorney. Do not represent yourself.

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Licensed in Minnesota

A: Police conduct underage-alcohol-buy stings frequently and have for many years. The best plan would be to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney and set a goal of avoiding a conviction. Keeping your record clean is valuable, and worth fighting for. Call criminal defense attorneys on the phone, to start.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.