What is Minor in Possession (MIP)

RCW 66.44.270

Furnishing liquor to minors—Possession, use—Penalties—Exhibition of effects—Exceptions.

(1) It is unlawful for any person to sell, give, or otherwise supply liquor to any person under the age of twenty-one years or permit any person under that age to consume liquor on his or her premises or on any premises under his or her control. For the purposes of this subsection, "premises" includes real property, houses, buildings, and other structures, and motor vehicles and watercraft. A violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided for in chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(2)(a) It is unlawful for any person under the age of twenty-one years to possess, consume, or otherwise acquire any liquor. A violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided for in chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(b) It is unlawful for a person under the age of twenty-one years to be in a public place, or to be in a motor vehicle in a public place, while exhibiting the effects of having consumed liquor. For purposes of this subsection, exhibiting the effects of having consumed liquor means that a person has the odor of liquor on his or her breath and either: (i) Is in possession of or close proximity to a container that has or recently had liquor in it; or (ii) by speech, manner, appearance, behavior, lack of coordination, or otherwise, exhibits that he or she is under the influence of liquor. This subsection (2)(b) does not apply if the person is in the presence of a parent or guardian or has consumed or is consuming liquor under circumstances described in subsection (4), (5), or (7) of this section.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2)(a) of this section do not apply to liquor given or permitted to be given to a person under the age of twenty-one years by a parent or guardian and consumed in the presence of the parent or guardian. This subsection shall not authorize consumption or possession of liquor by a person under the age of twenty-one years on any premises licensed under chapter 66.24 RCW.

(4) This section does not apply to liquor given for medicinal purposes to a person under the age of twenty-one years by a parent, guardian, physician, or dentist.

(5) This section does not apply to liquor given to a person under the age of twenty-one years when such liquor is being used in connection with religious services and the amount consumed is the minimal amount necessary for the religious service.

(6) This section does not apply to liquor provided to students under twenty-one years of age in accordance with a special permit issued under RCW 66.20.010(12).

(7)(a) A person under the age of twenty-one years acting in good faith who seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing alcohol poisoning shall not be charged or prosecuted under subsection (2)(a) of this section, if the evidence for the charge was obtained as a result of the person seeking medical assistance.

(b) A person under the age of twenty-one years who experiences alcohol poisoning and is in need of medical assistance shall not be charged or prosecuted under subsection (2)(a) of this section, if the evidence for the charge was obtained as a result of the poisoning and need for medical assistance.

(c) The protection in this subsection shall not be grounds for suppression of evidence in other criminal charges.

(8) Conviction or forfeiture of bail for a violation of this section by a person under the age of twenty-one years at the time of such conviction or forfeiture shall not be a disqualification of that person to acquire a license to sell or dispense any liquor after that person has attained the age of twenty-one years.

King County District Court

King County District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that handles misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors that occur in King County, Washington.

• King County District Court, South Division, Auburn Courthouse

  • Address: 340 E Main St 101, Auburn, WA 98002

  • Phone: (206) 205-9200

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court.aspx

• King County District Court, East Division, Bellevue Courthouse

  • Address: 1309 114th Ave. S.E. Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98004

  • Phone: (206) 205-9200

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court.aspx

• King County District Court, South Division, Burien Courthouse

  • Address: 601 S.W. 149th St., Burien, WA 98166

  • Phone: (206) 205-9200

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court.aspx

• King County District Court, East Division, Issaquah Courthouse

  • Address: 5415 220th Ave. S.E., Issaquah, WA 98029-6839

  • Phone: (206) 205-9200

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court.aspx

• King County District Court, East Division, Redmond Courthouse

  • Address: 8601 160th Ave. N.E., Redmond, WA 98052

  • Phone: (206) 205-9200

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court.aspx

• King County District Court, West Division, King County Courthouse

  • Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room E-327, Seattle, WA 98104

  • Phone: (206) 205-9200

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court.aspx

• King County District Court, West Division, Shoreline Courthouse

  • Address: 18050 Meridian Ave. N., Shoreline, WA 98133

  • Phone: (206) 205-9200

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court.aspx

• King County District Court, South Division, Maleng Regional Justice Center

  • Address: 401 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98032

  • Phone: (206) 205-9200

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court.aspx

King County Superior Court

King County Superior Court is a court of original jurisdiction and handles felony cases that occur in King County, Washington.

• King County Superior Court - Seattle

  • Address: 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

  • Phone: (206) 477-1400

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court.aspx

• King County Superior Court - Kent (Maleng Regional Jusctice Center)

  • Address: 401 Fourth Avenue North, Kent, WA 98032

  • Phone: (206) 477-2600

  • Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court.aspx