Like every other state, Michigan strictly forbids motorists and passengers from having open containers of alcohol in their vehicles. If they are caught with open alcohol in the car with them, they can face serious legal consequences regardless of whether or not they were driving.
When you have been handed an expensive and damaging open container ticket in Ann Arbor, MI, you have the right to contest it as you would any other legal infraction. You can start by hiring an attorney who practices in defending clients faced with this crime.
Arguing Your Innocence
Most judges in the state do not care about whose alcohol it was or who put it in the vehicle. They view all parties in the car equally responsible for the offense.
Still, you can argue that you were not aware that the open container was in the car and that you never would have gotten in had you known about it. Your lawyer can present this argument to the judge and prove that your lack of a prior driving or criminal record warrants a lesser punishment or possibly even exoneration for you.
With your lawyer’s help, you could pay a lesser fine or serve community service at the most. You do not want to go to court alone, however, particularly if you have a prior criminal or traffic record.
