Underage Drinking Prosecution in New Jersey
Is your child accused of underage drinking or underage DUI? Information about the Cops and Shops program and underage drinking and driving.
September 21, 2012
The New Jersey Attorney General is tough on underage drinking. With the cooperation of police departments across the country, she implemented the Cops in Shops program, which operated throughout the summer to prevent minors from gaining access to alcohol.Thirty police departments on the Jersey shore took part in the program, which involved police officers going undercover in liquor stores. These officers were on the lookout for customers with fake identification. Some undercover officers hang around outside liquor stores to apprehend adults who break the law by buying alcohol for minors. Last summer, Cops in Shops resulted in 230 arrests.
This focus on prosecuting underage drinking crimes means that more adults and children are facing underage drinking charges in New Jersey. Someone who provides alcohol to a minor and minors who consume alcohol can face up to $1000 in fines or six months' imprisonment. Other possible punishments include community service and mandatory participation in an alcohol education program.
Underage Drinking and Driving Charges
Minors face even greater penalties if they are charged with underage drinking and driving. In 2009, almost 3,000 of 28,000 people arrested for drunk driving were under 21.
Underage DUI offenses are not to be taken lightly. The legal standard for minors is a tiny .01 percent blood alcohol, much less than the DUI limit for adults. Essentially, consumption of any alcohol at all before getting behind the wheel can result in a DUI for a minor.
A minor convicted of driving or operating a boat with a .01 blood alcohol reading faces a license suspension for 30 to 90 days. Fines may be applied. Mandatory community service for 15 to 30 days is also imposed. A minor offender must also participate in highway safety programs and alcohol education offered through a state Intoxicated Driver Resource Center.
When apprehended for DUI, teens under 17 who are driving without a license receive the additional penalty of delayed driver's license processing; it will take 30 to 90 days longer to obtain a license.
Minors especially need an experienced defense attorney to help them through the court process when they are charged with underage drinking or DUI. An attorney will see that their rights are preserved and provide skilled advocacy.
Article provided by The Law Offices of John W. Tumelty
Visit us at www.tumeltylaw.com