Pennsylvania police crack down on underage drinking

This fall, Pennsylvania State Police launched a crackdown on underage drinking, focusing on college campuses.

2013-02-16

February 16, 2013 (Press-News.org) Pennsylvania police crack down on underage drinking

Article provided by Blanarik Law Offices
Visit us at http://www.blanariklawoffices.com

Though the legal drinking age is 21, many teens in Pennsylvania choose to consume alcohol anyway. Underage drinking is particularly prevalent on Pennsylvania's many college campuses. However, young people would be mistaken to think that mere fact that underage drinking is not uncommon means that it is tolerated by law enforcement.

This fall, Pennsylvania State Police launched a crackdown on underage drinking, focusing on college campuses.

As part of the program, police departments worked with campus officials to develop strategies to minimize underage drinking. They also worked in tandem with campus security departments to arrest and punish students caught drinking underage or serving alcohol to minors.

In addition, police visited businesses that sell alcohol near college campuses to remind them of the penalties for selling alcohol to minors. Businesses that sell alcohol to minors face substantial fines and possible loss of their liquor licenses. In addition, individuals who sell alcohol to minors may face jail time and potential civil liability.

Pennsylvania underage drinking laws

Many people look at college drinking as a rite of passage -- something that nearly everyone does, and that doesn't represent a major problem so long as the student is keeping up with his or her studies.

While this may be true for some university students, it is also true that an underage drinking arrest can cause significant disruptions in a student's life.

In Pennsylvania, minors who are caught possessing or consuming alcohol can be fined up to $300 and jailed for up to 90 days. The potential fine increases with each subsequent offense. Carrying a false ID is also a crime, even if there is no proof that the minor used the false ID to purchase alcohol.

Underage drinking infractions can also result in loss of driving privileges. A conviction for underage consumption or possession of alcohol, possessing a fake ID or misrepresenting their age can have their driver's license suspended for up to 30 days. A second conviction for one of these offenses can result in a one-year suspension, while a third offense can bring a three-year loss of driving privileges.

Students over age 21 can face trouble if they host a drinking party where minors are present or otherwise provide alcohol to a person under age 21. Anybody who supplies alcohol to a person under age 21 can be charged with a third-degree misdemeanor. Convictions can result in a minimum fine of $1,000 and up to one year in prison.

If you or your child has been charged with an underage drinking offense, it is important to take the charges seriously and consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

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Pennsylvania police crack down on underage drinking

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