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W/probable cause, they do not need a warrant.

And in spite of the "I wasn't drinking" defense, they are just as much in possession as anyone else in the room.

At 19 I was in a car w/some buddies who had some beer.

I had no intention of touching the beer (I hate the taste of the stuff, always have, always will). I wasn't an angel, but I didn't drink then, I don't drink now.

But guess what, I got arrested right along w/them (Small town, local kids cops knew us, etc.). I spent the night in lock-up right along w/them. And I stood in front of the judge just like my buddies did.

The judge acknowledged my non-drinker status (as attested to by several people who knew me), but assessed the same Minor in Possession fine as them. I took it like a man. Today two of those three friends are dead, w/one having also killed another in alcohol related accidents. The lesson I got from it was to pick better friends.

BTW, I have had to answer to that $15.00 for my security clearance for over 25 years every time it comes up for renewal.

But the thought of getting my mother to fight that battle never occurred to me.

Nope. With regard to a home, 'probable cause' doesn't obviate the need for a warrant. Car, yes. Home, no.

As far as the possession charge, again, the 'everyone in the house' theory won't fly. It works in a car. But in a house, there is no way to establish that any given kid even knew the alcohol was present, or that they had any access to it.

What if their 12-year-old sister was upstairs listening to records? Charge her, too? See, it just doesn't work as a blanket assertion.

Anyway - high school seniors drinking - the horror!

And in spite of the "I wasn't drinking" defense, they are just as much in possession as anyone else in the room.

All hail the police state and the death of liberty.

Remember - if you are in a subway car and some Cat is in possession of heroin - you too are in possession of heroin - if one person in the room is guilty - everybody is guilty - no need for evidence or tough police work - just go on assumptions.

The judge acknowledged my non-drinker status (as attested to by several people who knew me), but assessed the same Minor in Possession fine as them. I took it like a man.

No, you were run over by a power crazed judge and rather than being upset about your rights being violated, you thanked them. Basically, you suffer from Stockholm Syndrome.