Minor in possession (MIP) is an offense that strictly targets those individuals who are under 21 years old. On the one hand, first-time offenders have the ability under the law to keep their record clean by entering into a special type of probation or "diversion." On the other hand, there are rulings at the federal level that also impact Michigan courts that invalid certain portions of the Michigan MIP statute as it relates to the collection of evidence. No longer can police officers require you to submit to a preliminary breath test (pbt) without a warrant or what's known as "exigent circumstances." If you are charged with MIP based on a pbt result, you should seriously consider filing a motion to have the pbt thrown out. Ultimately, MIP charges do not have serious penalties but the criminal conviction will stain your record permanently unless you successfully complete diversion or, you are successful at expunging the conviction five years from the date of your sentence.