Steep Fines For Underage Drinking Under New Pennsylvania Law

A new Pennsylvania law aims to reduce underage drinking and public drunkenness by targeting the pocketbooks of college students and other young people.

2012-11-30

November 30, 2012 (Press-News.org) Steep fines for underage drinking under new Pennsylvania law

In an effort to reduce underage drinking and public intoxication, Pennsylvania legislators teamed up with law enforcement agencies in college towns across the state to develop a new underage drinking law that is set to go into effect on December 24, 2012. The new policy is meant to send a strong message to college students and others under the age of 21 by imposing heavy fines on those who are caught violating the state's liquor laws.

Under the new law, the maximum fines for public drunkenness or underage drinking will increase to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense. The fines were previously set at a maximum of $300 for a first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense. Acknowledging that many college students operate on a limited budget, Pennsylvania lawmakers say they hope the steeper fines will encourage young people to think twice about underage drinking. Statewide, the increased fines are expected to generate approximately $6 million in new revenue, the Times Tribune reported.

The new underage drinking and public drunkenness law is the latest in a series of policy changes that have gradually stiffened the penalties for alcohol-related offenses in Pennsylvania. Other relatively recent changes include new DUI sentencing guidelines that impose harsher penalties on people convicted of driving with a very high blood alcohol content, as well as those convicted of DUI while transporting a minor under the age of 18.

Pennsylvania DUI penalties

Under Pennsylvania's graduated DUI sentencing laws, the penalties for a first-time DUI conviction may include:
-BAC of 0.08 to 0.99: A $300 fine and up to six months of probation
-BAC of 0.10 to 0.159: Up to 6 months in prison, a fine of $500 to $5,000 and license suspension for 12 months
-BAC of 0.16 or higher: Up to 6 months in prison, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 and license suspension for 12 months

In addition to the consequences outlined above, people convicted of a first DUI offense in Pennsylvania must attend alcohol highway safety school and may be required to undergo court-ordered alcohol treatment. Drivers who refuse to submit to BAC testing when pulled over for suspected DUI may be sentenced according to the highest BAC level.

While the penalties for first-time DUI convictions in Pennsylvania may appear harsh, the consequences increase substantially for second and third DUI offenses. For instance, a person with two or more prior DUI convictions who is convicted of driving with a BAC of 0.16 or above may be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined up to $10,000. In addition, for one year after reinstatement of driving privileges, people convicted of repeat DUI offenses in Pennsylvania can be required in install and maintain an ignition interlock device on every vehicle they own or operate.

Seek help for Pennsylvania alcohol charges

As the state's strict sentencing guidelines indicate, alcohol-related offenses are treated very seriously by the courts and law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania, and a temporary lapse in judgment can have far-reaching consequences in many aspects of a young person's life. If you or a loved one are facing charges for DUI, underage drinking or another alcohol offense in Pennsylvania, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your options.

Article provided by Fleming Law Office
Visit us at http://www.fleminglawoffices.com

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