UNDERAGE DUI

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Underage Drinking AttorneyHas your son or daughter been charged with underage drinking?

UNDERAGE DRINKING

A drinking and driving charge is a serious offense and the impact of a conviction can be even more significant for someone who is under legal drinking age and just beginning their adult life.

If you are under 21 years old and are convicted for driving or boating with a BAC of .01% or higher, the penalties include: License suspension for a 30 to 90 day period, select DWI fines depending on the situation, fifteen to thirty days of mandatory community service, participation in alcohol education and highway safety programs at an Intoxicated Driver Resource center. A New Jersey (NJ) DUI/DWI attorney like SIMON LAW GROUP can help minimize the weight of the penalties.

If you are unlicensed and under 17 years of age at the time of the incident, you are subject to a 30 to 90 day delay in processing your driver license. In this case, an experienced New Jersey underage DWI lawyer can help to make the process as smooth as possible.

If you or your child has been arrested for an underage DWI in New Jersey, contact the SIMON LAW GROUP today to speak with an experienced New Jersey underage DWI attorney for an initial FREE consultation.

§  Underage drinking presents an enormous public health issue.  Alcohol is the drug of choice among children and adolescents, and underage drinking is the number one drug problem among the nation's youth.

§  It is a criminal offense in the State of New Jersey (2C:33-17a) to serve alcohol to anyone under the legal age of 21.  A fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment.    

§  A fine not less than $500.00.  Suspension or postponement of the driving privilege for 6 months if the offense is committed in a motor vehicle. There is no indication in the law that a diversion program is available for offenders.

§  A fine of $200.00 for the first offense, $250.00 for the second offense or community service for a period of 10 days.

§  A fine of $200.00 for the first offense, $250.00 for the second offense or community service for a period of 10 days.

§  It is a criminal offense in the State of New Jersey for any person of legal age to bring or possess alcoholic beverages on any property used for school purposes which is owned by any school or school board. A fine of up to $1,000.00 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment.

As a parent or caregiver, you play a vital role in influencing your child's attitudes and behaviors.  You serve as a role model on the use of alcohol, control the availability of alcohol in your home, and help set your child's expectations concerning drinking behaviors.

Some parents believe that it’s safer for their teens to drink at home than to drink anywhere else.  Other adults, including some parents, mistakenly think that underage drinking is part of growing up.  In New Jersey, under social host liability laws, adults who serve or supply alcohol to persons under the age of 21 can be held liable if any of those underage persons are killed or injured. Parents who break these laws could be charged for medical bills and property damage and could be sued for emotional pain and suffering.

In addition to lawsuits, parents in New Jersey may find themselves subject to criminal prosecution for underage drinking by their teen and their teen's friends. (see exemptions under 2C:33-17b, and Woodcliff Lake Borough Ordinance 179-27) In addition, parents may be held responsible even if they're not at home when underage drinking occurs.  They may also be held responsible if underage drinking takes place anywhere on their property.

New Jersey has a number of laws related to underage drinking.  These laws are intended to prevent persons under 21 years of age from obtaining, possessing, or consuming alcoholic beverages and from driving if they have consumed any amount of alcohol: 

It is a criminal offense in the State of New Jersey (2C:33-17a) to serve alcohol to anyone under the legal age of 21.  A fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment.

If you or your child has been charged with underage drinking, call today 800-709-1131 for your free consult or complete the online form and we can reach out to you.

Allowing Alcohol Possession or Consumption by Persons Under 21 at Private Premises

It is a criminal offense in the State of New Jersey (2C:33-17b) to make your home or property available for the purpose of allowing minors a place to consume alcohol.

(Exemptions:  Any underage person or persons who possesses or consumes alcoholic beverages in connection with religious observance, ceremony or right or consumes or possesses an alcoholic beverage in the presence of and with the permission of the parent , guardian, or relative who has attained the legal age to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.)

·         A fine of up to $1.000 and /or up to 6 months imprisonment.     

No consumption of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles

A person shall not consume an alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle.  A passenger in a motor vehicle shall not consume an alcoholic beverage while the motor vehicle is being operated.( 39:4-51a)

·         A fine of $200.00 for the first offense, $250.00 for the second offense or community service for a period of 10 days.

Prohibition of possession of open, unsealed alcoholic container

All occupants of a motor vehicle located on a public highway, or right of way of a public highway, shall be prohibited from possessing any open or unsealed alcoholic beverage container.(39:4-51b)

Consumption or Possession of Alcohol by Persons Under 21.

It is a criminal offense in the State of New Jersey (2C:33-15) for any person under the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages who knowingly possesses without legal authority or who knowingly consumes any alcoholic beverage in any school, public conveyance, public place, or public assembly, or motor vehicle.

If you or your child has been charged with underage drinking, call today 800-709-1131 for your free consult or complete the online form and we can reach out to you.