Many adults in Pennsylvania enjoy having a drink or two, whether it is at a party or simply at the end of a long workday. Teenagers too may be curious about alcohol, and it is not unusual for teens in Pennsylvania to dabble in underage drinking. However, police in Pennsylvania will not go easy on teens caught breaking any one of a number of crimes associated with underage drinking.
For example, some teens use a fake I.D. to obtain alcohol. However, this is illegal. Even carrying a fake I.D. is a crime. A person under age 21 cannot possess an I.D. that falsely uses another person’s name, birthday or photo. This could result in a fine of up to $300, a jail sentence of up to 90 days and a driver’s license suspension of up to 90 days.
If a person misrepresents how old he or she is in order to purchase alcohol or in order to be served alcohol, then he or she could face a fine of up to $300, a jail sentence of up to 90 days and a driver’s license suspension of up to 90 days. If the person is underage and actually consumes alcohol, this could result in a fine of up to $500, a jail sentence of up to 90 days and a license suspension of up to 90 days.
As this shows, the penalties associated with underage drinking can be significant. Teens may not fully understand the seriousness of these alcohol-related charges, but these charges can significantly affect the teen’s future. Therefore, any teen charged with an underage drinking crime should take such matters seriously and seek the advice of an attorney who can represent the teen’s interests moving forward.
