[eazy123]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: New Jersey

I am 16 years old turning 17 in a couple of months. There was a house party (at which I did not know alcohol was there) going on and when I got there, I went straight to the back yard and started playing basketball with a couple of my friends. All of a sudden, I see people running saying there are cops. My friends and I do not run because we thought we didn't do anything wrong. Neither of us had anything illegal on us (I was searched at least 3 times) and we didn't touch the alcohol. The police in East Brunswick are notorious for being thugs and crooked. I myself want to become an officer and I have a lot of respect for cops, just not East Brunswick cops. Anyway, East Brunswick passed a new law which says for underage drinking you get: "fine of $250 and a court cost surcharge of $33. Ineligible to apply for a driver's license until six months after you turn 17". Read this story: http://ebs.gmnews.com/news/2008/0131..._page/009.html

"under East Brunswick's law, an underage person in a private residence does not have to be tested positive for alcohol in their system, or even found to possess alcohol. He said court officials explained to him that an underage person could be found guilty if alcohol is found in the residence and "it is reasonable to construct" that a minor could possess it."

I dropped out of High School to go to work and help my single mother out. I did get my GED and I was accepted into college. Like I said, I'm turning 17 in August and school starts in September. I cannot afford to have my drivers license suspended for 6 months. I personally think that new law is BULLSH*T and unjust. What can I do?

[LawResearcherMissy]

That's one of the dumbest laws I've ever seen.

Unfortunately, it's the law, so it's in your best interests to nab a lawyer and fight the charge. If you can't afford one, plead Not Guilty at the hearing and ask for a PD.

[eazy123]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: New Jersey

I am 16 years old turning 17 in a couple of months. There was a house party (at which I did not know alcohol was there) going on and when I got there, I went straight to the back yard and started playing basketball with a couple of my friends. All of a sudden, I see people running saying there are cops. My friends and I do not run because we thought we didn't do anything wrong. Neither of us had anything illegal on us (I was searched at least 3 times) and we didn't touch the alcohol. The police in East Brunswick are notorious for being thugs and crooked. I myself want to become an officer and I have a lot of respect for cops, just not East Brunswick cops. Anyway, East Brunswick passed a new law which says for underage drinking you get: "fine of $250 and a court cost surcharge of $33. Ineligible to apply for a driver's license until six months after you turn 17". Read this story: http://ebs.gmnews.com/news/2008/0131..._page/009.html

"under East Brunswick's law, an underage person in a private residence does not have to be tested positive for alcohol in their system, or even found to possess alcohol. He said court officials explained to him that an underage person could be found guilty if alcohol is found in the residence and "it is reasonable to construct" that a minor could possess it."

I dropped out of High School to go to work and help my single mother out. I did get my GED and I was accepted into college. Like I said, I'm turning 17 in August and school starts in September. I cannot afford to have my drivers license suspended for 6 months. I personally think that new law is BULLSH*T and unjust. What can I do?

My Question was: What can I do to avoid my drivers license being suspended? Do you think judge will care that I have to attend college?

[LawResearcherMissy]

What can I do to avoid my drivers license being suspended?

I answered that. I said: Get a lawyer. Because hon, you need one.

Do you think judge will care that I have to attend college?

Nope. He won't even care a little bit.

Go get a lawyer.

[aaron]

As the charge appears to carry no risk of jail time, it may turn out that a public defender is not available. That will depend on local policy.

A local attorney may be able to estimate what the court will do, based on your circumstances. It's hard to guess, as an outsider. For example, it may be possible to get the charge dismissed, or to substitute a different charge that doesn't carry a driver's license sanction.

[eazy123]

Thank you for your answers. Above all this though, I personally think this law is unfair and unjust. What can I do to stop this law? A lot of innocent kids will be persecuted and have their lives ruined for absolutely no reason. It is only an East Brunswick law, and not a NJ law. I am really pissed at the East Brunswick local government. What do you think of the ACLU? Anybody read this story?

http://ebs.gmnews.com/news/2008/0131..._page/009.html