ALCOHOL AND THE LAW: ARE YOU TAKING CHANCES?
As a college student you need to know alcohol-related laws and the consequences you may face if you’re caught breaking them. Even if you’re of legal drinking age, there are still laws you should be aware of.
The fact is, alcohol-related policies can differ from state to state and enforcement differs from place to place. State College heavily enforces the law, and, for your safety, The Partnership - Campus & Community: United Against Dangerous Drinking, has complied a list of policies and penalties involving alcohol-related offenses – on and off campus.
Underage Drinking
Your parents will be notified. Penalties may include:
- $300 fine plus court costs
- Alcohol education/intervention program
- 90-day loss of license for first-time offense
Carrying False I.D.
Your parents will be notified. Penalties may include:
- $300 fine plus court costs
- 90 days in jail
- Alcohol education/intervention program
- 90-day loss of driver’s license (for first offense)
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Under 21 and driving with a blood alcohol content of .02 or higher, you can be charged with DUI. Penalties may include:
- $5,000 fine plus court costs
- One-year loss of driver’s license
- 48 hours in jail
- Alcohol highway safety course
21 or older and driving with a blood alcohol content of .10 or higher, you can be charged with DUI. Penalties may include:
- $5,000 fine (for first offense) plus court costs
- One-year loss of driver’s license
- 48 hours to 2 years in jail (for first offense)
- Alcohol highway safety course
Refusing a Breathalyzer Test
Penalties may include:
- DUI Charge (with full consequences as previously listed)
- Automatic one-year loss of driver’s license
Public Drunkenness
It is illegal to appear in public when intoxicated to the extent that you endanger yourself or others, annoy others, or endanger property. Penalties may include:
- $300 fine plus court costs
- 90 days in jail
Open Containers
It is illegal to have an open container of alcohol on any public street, sidewalk, alley, or park in State College. Penalties may include:
- $50 fine plus court costs
Liability when Hosting a Party
You are legally liable for a guest’s behavior after they leave your party.
It is illegal to sell or furnish alcohol to anyone underage, or to anyone over 21 who is visibly intoxicated. If a guest is visibly intoxicated, you must cut them off immediately.
Residence Hall Policy
If you are under 21, you are not allowed to have or consume any beverage containing alcohol in residence hall rooms—in fact, you’re not even allowed to be in any residence hall room where alcohol is present. (This does not apply to a roommate situation where one roommate is under 21 and the other is 21 or older and the roommates are alone in their room.)
Penn State Policy
As a student, faculty or staff member, you are not allowed to unlawfully possess, manufacture, use, or distribute alcohol in buildings, facilities, or property controlled by the University or used as part of University activities. The “Student Guide to General University Policies and Rules” has the policy in full.
For more information:
Most Penn State students party smart. The majority—70 percent—have zero to four drinks when they party.