Underage Drinking Attorney for Temple Students
The consumption of alcohol is a favorite pastime of many college students. However, when underage students choose to consume alcohol illegally, there is a myriad of problems that can result from this action. For example, a student could face disciplinary action from Temple University and could also face criminal charges for their poor decision. If you are a student at Temple University and you were cited for underage drinking, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia underage drinking attorney for Temple students.
At the Law Office of Lloyd Long, we understand that mistakes happen, and we are here to help you pursue a desirable legal outcome for your underage drinking case. Our firm is also prepared to advise you if you face disciplinary proceedings from Temple University due to your alcohol offense. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Law Office of Lloyd Long at (215) 246-9000, or contact us online.
Pennsylvania Underage Drinking Laws and Penalties
Pennsylvania’s underage drinking law does not only cover the consumption of alcohol by minors, but the purchase, possession, and even the transportation of alcohol. Generally, it is illegal for any person under the age of 21 to consume alcohol. Unlike other activities that can be circumvented with the supervision of an adult, no adult can legally give a minor the right to consume alcohol.
As mentioned, you can also violate Pennsylvania’s underage drinking law by attempting to purchase alcohol while under the age of 21. This also extends to adults who act as a proxy to purchase alcohol for minors. An adult who violates this law could be charged with violation of the underage drinking law and will likely be subject to other criminal penalties.
It is also important to note that a defendant cannot defend their criminal offense by claiming they consumed the alcohol in a different jurisdiction in Pennsylvania than the jurisdiction where they received a citation. For example, if you illegally consumed alcohol on the Temple Ambler campus, but you were ticketed for the offense in Philadelphia, you cannot claim the citation is invalid because it was issued outside of Ambler.
In Pennsylvania, underage drinking is a summary offense, meaning the penalties are not as severe as other crimes. If a defendant is convicted of underage drinking, they will likely have to pay a fine of $500 for a first-time offense. Any subsequent underage drinking offenses will cost a defendant up to $1,000 per violation.
While underage drinking is a summary offense, a defendant can still serve up to 90 days in jail if they are convicted. The likelihood of spending time in jail for underage drinking will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. For example, if a defendant consumed alcohol as a minor and then got behind the wheel of a vehicle, criminal penalties will undoubtedly be enhanced.
To learn more about Pennsylvania underage drinking laws and how it might affect your status as a student, continue reading and speak with an experienced Philadelphia criminal defense attorney.
Temple University’s Underage Alcohol Rules
Temple University’s student code of conduct directly addresses alcohol consumption by minor students. Similar to Pennsylvania’s underage drinking laws, Temple prohibits the consumption of alcohol by minors and any actions performed in order to procure alcohol as a minor (e.g., using forged identification cards). Additionally, any adult students that obtain alcohol for their minor classmates can also be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
If a student violates Temple’s rules against the consumption of alcohol by minors, one possibility is that they will have to enroll in Temple’s Alcohol and Drug Prevention Program. This program was designed to educate students on the dangers of excessive and reckless alcohol and drug use.
If the violation of the underage drinking policy included other offenses like property damage or assault, a student might also face disciplinary proceedings. There are several steps to Temple’s disciplinary process. The university will likely hold a preliminary investigation and meeting with the student to discuss the issues. The student will then be informed of when to expect a disciplinary hearing and how it will be conducted.
Temple permits a student to hire an attorney as an advisor for their disciplinary hearing. Our firm can help you gather evidence and witnesses for your case and assist in crafting a legal strategy for your case. However, Temple University requires that a student cannot use an attorney to speak on their behalf. While this may seem stressful, our firm can prepare you for what to expect during your disciplinary proceeding.
Contact Our Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyer to Handle Your Underage Drinking Case
If you were arrested for underage drinking, contact an experienced Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer to handle your case. Criminal defense lawyer Lloyd Long has over a decade of legal experience regarding alcohol-related offenses and similar crimes, and he is prepared to use this knowledge to represent you. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Law Office of Lloyd Long at (215) 246-9000.
