A high school student in Massachusetts is learning just how serious her school is about underage drinking. Earlier this year, the young woman was working when she got a text from a classmate who said she was too drunk to drive, asking for a ride. The 17 year-old student felt that picking up her friend was the safest option. She decided that it was important to save her friend “from getting in the car when she was intoxicated,” or “getting in the car with someone else who was drinking.” So, she drove to the house where the party was, and pushed her way through the revelry into the house to find her friend. Seconds later, the police raided the home and arrested her along with the partiers for underage drinking. While charges have been dropped against the girl, her school is punishing her– she has been removed as the volleyball team captain and has been suspended for five games. The school is effectively punishing this student for doing the right thing and trying to protect her friend (and others on the road) from harm. These same circumstances could happen in Colorado as well – underage drinking is not tolerated by police or school districts in Weld, Morgan or Logan County.
Minor in Possession of Alcohol: Underage Drinking
The other students at the party were charged for underage drinking. Anyone who is under the age of 21 who possesses or drinks alcohol commits the offense of illegal possession or consumption of ethyl alcohol by an underage person – C.R.S. 18-13-122 (minor in possession of alcohol – MIP). While the consequences of an MIP aren’t too serious (you could be fined and have to complete community service), there are other consequences that can’t be foreseen, like the young student who lost her position as volleyball team captain. If your child has been caught at a party, they might face charges or the loss of rights at school (even if they weren’t drinking). It is important to work with a defense attorney in Greeley, Johnstown or Fort Lupton who can fight for the best outcome in your child’s case. The adults at the party will be charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – C.R.S. 18-6-701 (charged when you provide alcohol to children under the age of 18) or charged with selling or giving alcohol to a minor – C.R.S. 12-47-901 (when alcohol is provided to adults ages 18-21).
If you or a loved one has been charged with underage drinking or providing alcohol to minors in Weld County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.
Source: http://kdvr.com/2013/10/14/high-school-punishes-sober-student-for-picking-up-drunk-friend-from-party/
Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net – Naypong