New Jersey Underage Drinking Law Put On Hold
In Morris County, New Jersey, a new ordinance to fine offenders of underage drinking on private property has been tabled indefinitely, but officials plan to create a similar ordinance soon. According to a news report in The Bergen County Record, the Kinnelon Borough Council tabled the proposed underage drinking ordinance with the objective of creating a new law that will be accepted by the community.
The proposed plan was to expand the authorities' ability to fight underage drinking by issuing a $250 fine for first-time offenders and a $350 fine for a second offense. The now-tabled ordinance would have also allowed the authorities to suspend repeat offenders' driver's licenses. It is unclear what the components of a new ordinance might be, but the Council has stated that they will have a new plan to help crackdown on underage drinking soon.
As it stands, under New Jersey law, individuals under the age of 21 may not possess, purchase, or consume alcohol. Under current law, underage drinkers on public properties may be held accountable for their actions, but there are no legal consequences for drinking on private property. The authorities may enter a private property with reasonable cause and arrest a juvenile for possessing or consuming alcohol, but they must release the suspect to his or her parents.
Underage drinkers already face a number of potential consequences, and it appears that there may be additional penalties in the future. The Princeton juvenile crime defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein routinely handle underage drinking charges in New Jersey. We have been successful in getting charges dismissed or reduced for our young clients. We have also obtained alternative sentencing such as community service and rehabilitation for juvenile offenders instead of time at a juvenile detention facility. If your son or daughter is facing underage drinking charges, please contact us today at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation.
