Night Out to Legal Nightmare: Underage Drinking and Disorderly Conduct Impact
For high school and college students in Pennsylvania, a weekend party or a night on the town can swiftly turn into a legal crisis. Underage drinking and disorderly conduct charges might seem like minor youthful indiscretions, but the Commonwealth doesn’t consider them so.
In PA, the combination of underage drinking and disorderly conduct is a serious offense. There are potentially life-altering consequences for a student’s academic and professional future. That’s why you need a seasoned Pittsburgh criminal lawyer by your side.
The Severe Penalties of Underage Drinking in PA
Pennsylvania takes a firm stance against underage drinking. It’s considered a summary offense that prohibits anyone under 21 from purchasing, consuming, possessing, or transporting alcohol. The penalties are more severe than many students realize and can increase with every subsequent offense:
- Fines: $500 for the first offense and $1000 for each subsequent offense.
- Driver’s license suspension: 90-day suspension on first offense; increases to a year on second offense.
Although this is a summary offense of the lowest level of criminal charge, the conviction still appears on your record. A Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help you avoid a criminal record.
The Consequences of Disorderly Conduct
Often, an underage drinking citation is accompanied by a disorderly conduct charge, which is another summary offense. This charge can be levied for creating a public disturbance, fighting, or making unreasonable commotion, specifically when alcohol is involved.
The fines for this offense are usually lower. However, a conviction results in a criminal record, which can be negatively viewed by academic admissions and potential employers.
The Long-Term Impact on a Student’s Future
Beyond the immediate fines and license loss, the long-term ramifications are what truly threaten a student’s future.
Academic Discipline
Universities and high schools usually have their own disciplinary proceedings separate from the court system. A student might face penalties that mark their academic transcript from the school’s judicial affairs office. The consequences include:
- Probation
- Mandatory alcohol education classes
- Suspension or expulsion
- Employment and Career
Future employers, especially those requiring professional licenses or government clearances, regularly perform background checks. A conviction for underage drinking and disorderly conduct is a significant red flag. Thus, it can limit job opportunities.
Reputation and College Applications
While a summary offense might not appear on a state police criminal history, citations and arrests usually come up on background checks. This can negatively affect admission decisions.
How a Lawyer Can Protect A Student’s Future
When a student is charged in Pennsylvania, their first and best step is to consult a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer.
- At Logue Law Group, our lawyers investigate the circumstances of the arrest, challenge the evidence, and contest the legality of the police stop or search. Our investigations often lead to a dismissal of the charges.
- For first-time offenders, hiring a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer is critical for negotiating for an alternative resolution. This can include a diversionary program or a plea to a lesser local ordinance. Successful completion can lead to a dismissal of the charges and eventual criminal record expungement.
- A lawyer can fight the mandatory license suspension. If a suspension is unavoidable, they can help the student apply for an Occupational Limited License.
- If the student is facing university judicial proceedings, a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer also advises and represents them. An experienced lawyer can mitigate the internal academic consequences.
Underage drinking and disorderly conduct are major legal inconveniences. But beyond that, they are also a serious obstacle to a student’s future. By securing legal services, you can significantly increase your chances of keeping your record clean. To know more, reach out to us at sean@seanloguelaw.com.