Senate Approves Bill to Reduce Penalty for Minors Caught Drinking

If you're a minor and get caught drinking in Michigan, the penalty might not be so stiff soon. The state Senate has passed a bill that would make an MIP (Minor in Possession) a civil infraction (currently, it's a misdemeanor).

It's only the first one, though. A second offense of underage drinking would be a misdemeanor, and the third offense would result in drivers' license suspension (which is currently the case). The bill will now move on to the House.

In 2014 around 9,300 minors were convicted on an MIP charge.