Laws You Should Know!
- Underage Drinking
Possession and consumption of alcohol by underage persons results in a minimum fine of $500. If the offense occurs in a motor vehicle, it will also result in a 6-month loss of license. There may also be a required participation in a state sponsored alcohol education program.
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of drug paraphernalia can result in fines between $500-$1,000, up to 1 year in jail and 6 months-12 years loss of driving privileges. Financial aid may be revoked for college students arrested on drug-related charges. A conviction of a drug-related charge carries a mandatory suspension of federal student aid eligibility.
- Open Containers, Fake IDS & Serving Minors
Open containers of alcohol in public, regardless of the person's age, carries a fine of $200-$400. Use of a fake ID by an underage person or someone giving their ID to an underage person to obtain alcohol faces fines up to $300 and up to 60 days in jail. Serving alcohol to underage persons is punishable with fines up to $1,000 and up to 1 year in jail.
- Disorderly Conduct & Noise Violation
Urinating in public can result in fines between $200-$300. Smoking in a publicly-designated non-smoking space is punishable with fines up to $200. Noise violations can result in fines between $300-$1,250.
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
All persons convicted of DWI must pay an insurance surcharge of $1,000/year for 3 years, plus additional fees and costs totaling at least $283. Additionally, there is minimum loss of your driver's license for 3 months, a required 12-48 hours in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, up to 30 days in jail and a required installation of a vehicle interlock device for 6-18 months. Penalties increase with each subsequent offense.
- Overdose Protection Act
The Overdose Protection Act encourages people to seek medical assistance whenever a drug overdose occurs. It does so by providing that those who, in good faith, seek medical assistance for an overdose victim will be immune from arrest and prosecution on a charge of use or simple possession of illegal drugs. The immunity also applies to the person suffering the overdose.
- Lifeline Legislation
Lifeline Legislation is specific to alcohol and grants immunity to underage persons provided they call 9-1-1, provide their name, are the first person to report the incident, remain at the scene until medical assistance arrives and cooperate with first responders.
- Social Host Liability
The Social Host Liability Law holds the host responsible not only for the injuries suffered by an intoxicated guest but also for injuries or death to third parties as a result of the actions of the intoxicated guest. Social host laws have particular relevance in the area of drinking and driving, with the host sharing the liability if an intoxicated guest is involved in an accident or death.
