Prom season is in full swing, and if your son or daughter is gearing up for the festivities, it’s wise to sit them down and have a conversation about underage drinking. Although younger generations are drinking less than previous generations, Prom can be an outlier when it comes to habits and expectations. One mistake can prove incredibly costly, so it’s a good idea to talk with your child about what’s on the line and what they should do in the event they feel pressured to drink before, during or after Prom.
In today’s blog, we take a closer look at what kids and their parents risk when alcohol is involved on Prom night.
Underage Drinking At Prom
Let’s begin by looking at the potential criminal fallout from underage drinking. Depending on the circumstances, you may be faced with any of the following criminal penalties for your actions:
Underage Consumption – An underage drinking citation carries a mandatory minimum fine of $100, but that can increase to $1,000 with court fees and other fines based on the circumstances of your ticket.
Underage DUI – You can be charged with driving under the influence if you have any alcohol in your system, which can result in the suspension of your driver’s license, potential jail time and fines up to $1,000 or more, depending on specifics.
Possession of Alcohol – Similar to an underage consumption ticket, the possession or illegal purchasing of alcohol while underage will involve a citation that carries a mandatory minimum fine of $100 that could increase 10-fold based on case specifics.
Possession of a Fake ID – Possessing or using a fake ID to purchase alcohol is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $1,000. The court can also suspend your actual driver’s license for 90 days.
Host Liability Laws – Minnesota law states that if a parent or guardian knows or should know that underage drinking is taking place on their property, and those underage individuals go on to kill or injure someone in a car accident, the parents can be held criminally responsible for the actions of their underage guests. In other words, you could face years in jail if underage drinking occurs at your home and an individual goes on to cause a car accident after leaving you property under the influence.
Of course, there’s plenty of other potential penalties that may come as a result of being caught drinking before or after Prom. The student may:
- Be suspended or kicked off of school-based athletic teams
- Be stripped of academic awards or scholarships
- Be ineligible to walk at graduation
- Have their college admission revoked or reviewed
- Find it harder to obtain a summer job after graduation
All of these potential consequences because of one mistake made on Prom night. Talk with your kids, ensure they know what they are risking if they choose to drink and make a plan with them in the event they end up in a situation where they need an ally on their side. These conversations aren’t easy, but they can prevent pain and heartbreak, so have them with your child.
And if you or your child needs assistance challenging a criminal charge in the wake of Prom or stemming from a different incident, pick up the phone and reach out to Avery Appelman and the team at Appelman Law Firm today. Give us a call at (952) 224-2277 for a free case review.
