Bill would change underage drinking from criminal to civil charge in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. _ Underage drinkers in Michigan would get a pass on criminal charges the first time they're caught by police under a bill that unanimously passed the state's House Criminal Justice committee Tuesday.
Under the legislation, which already passed the state Senate in March, a first minor in possession of alcohol offense would become a civil infraction, punishable by a $100 fine, instead of the current misdemeanor charge which carries a fine and up to 90 days in jail.
More than 6,000 minors _ many of them in college towns _ got popped for trying to buy or consume alcohol in 2013 and were charged with misdemeanors for their youthful indiscretions, according to statistics from the Michigan State Police.
The second offense would be a misdemeanor punishable by 30 days in jail and a $200 fine. A third offense would carry a sentence of up to 60 days and a $500 fine and possible revocation of the offender's driver's license.
State Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright asked: "Is it possible that making a first offense a citation will just delay a minor from taking the offense seriously?"
Jessica Hammond, legislative aid to the bill's sponsor Sen. Rick Jones, said there is the ability to require alcohol counseling with a citation.
From 2009-13, the latest statistics available from the Michigan State Police, 38,499 people under 21 were arrested for some sort of minor in possession charge.
_Detroit Free Press
