University of Rochester

LAW

DESCRIPTION

PENALTIES

Minimum Drinking Age Law

It is illegal for individuals under the age of 21 to purchase or possess alcoholic beverages with the intent to consume such beverages.

Fine not exceeding fifty dollars, completion of an alcohol awareness program, and up to thirty hours of community service.

Procurement of Alcohol & Serving of Alcohol  for Underage Persons

Procuring alcohol for a person under 21 through misrepresenting his/her age is prohibited. The serving of alcohol to individuals actually or apparently under the age of 21, to intoxicated individuals, or to individuals who are known to habitually become intoxicated is prohibited.

A fine of not more than two hundred dollars and/or up to five days imprisonment.
Penalties include suspension of liquor sales license and/or a $1000 fine.

False Identification Laws

The purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol with the use of false or fraudulent documentation (such as a false identification card or a driver’s license belonging to another) by persons under 21 years of age is prohibited.

Fines of not more than $100, community service, and completion of an alcohol awareness program.

Open Container/Public Consumption Law

The possession/consumption of an open container of alcohol—i.e., any carton, cup, glass or receptacle which is uncapped, uncorked, unscrewed, unsealed or otherwise open in such a way as to permit direct consumption of the contents—in a public space is prohibited.

$250 fine for first-time violations.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

A BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .08 or higher, or other evidence of intoxication.

Fines of up to $1000, driving license revoked for at least six months, and up to one year jail time.

Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI)

A BAC of more than .05 but less than .08 BAC, or other evidence of impairment.

Fine of $500, revocation of license for 90 days, and up to 15 days of jail time.

Zero Tolerance Law

Drivers under the age of 21 who are found to be driving with any alcohol in their system (.02 to .07 BAC) may be charged.

Fine of $225 and a six-month license suspension.

Illegal Use, Possession, & Distribution of Drugs Law

Federal and New York State laws provide legal sanctions and penalties for the unlawful possession or distribution of controlled substances. The severity of the penalty depends on the nature of the criminal act and the identity and amount of the illicit drug involved.

Possession of as little as 25g of marijuana can result in a maximum of three months in jail or a $500 fine. Possession of as little as 1 mg of LSD can result in up to 15 years in prison.

General Obligations Law

A person who serves alcohol to or assists in procuring it for a person under 21, or who sells it to or assists in procuring it for an intoxicated person of any age, may face civil liability to someone injured by that person’s intoxication. Likewise, anyone who sells a controlled substance to another or assists in procuring it for them may be liable for injuries to others caused by that person’s resulting impairment.