Spring Break
Letter: Reader warns of RI drinking laws
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
10/09/08 - To the Cigar,
My local police department pulled over a driver Wednesday morning during his commute to the University of Rhode Island.
He was on his way to an exam. His license was suspended. He was placed in handcuffs, put in the back of the police car, brought to the station, fingerprinted, mug shots were taken and he was placed in a cell.
He knew his license was going to be suspended by midnight on Saturday.
He had the Department of Motor Vehicles letter to prove it. He had bought his license to operator control on Monday, earlier than the letter of suspension required.
According to the DMV, when you surrender your license, your suspension begins.
He was unaware of that part of the law. He was stunned, and he was in trouble.
The reason his license was suspended in the first place was because he was drinking a beer on the front yard of his rented home last month.
He was not in a car.
He is 20 years old. In the state of Rhode Island, "Individuals under 21 in possession of alcohol face a fine of $150 to $750 for a first offense, $300 to $750 for a second offense and $450 to $950 for a third offense." In addition, the penalty for possession by a minor will include 30 hours of community service and a license suspension for a minimum of 60 days.
Secondly, if you are not 21 - even if you are with someone who is over 21 (unless they are your parent - and there are alcoholic beverages in the vehicle you will be cited, fined, and the alcohol will be confiscated your driver's license will also be suspended.
There have been federal grants for extra patrols to watch liquor stores for underage persons with someone purchasing alcohol. In this area, it was like shooting fish in a barrel.
Lastly, procuring alcohol for minors is a crime.
This summer, the R.I. General Assembly passed the social host law. The first offense starts with a fine of not less than $350.
The bill also includes stipulation for those using fake IDs who attempt to purchase alcohol.
The penalties start at a minimum of $100 and 30 hours of community service and 30 days of a suspended license.
The reason for this letter is to advise you of the law.
As the example shows, we are responsible for knowing and understanding the laws.
Even those of you who are unaware of the law, if you break it, you will suffer the penalties if you are caught.
I just learned that I cannot offer my 20-year-old son a beer during Patriots games nor a glass of champagne at Christmas in my own home without violating the social host law. I am stunned.
Penney Hanson
My local police department pulled over a driver Wednesday morning during his commute to the University of Rhode Island.
He was on his way to an exam. His license was suspended. He was placed in handcuffs, put in the back of the police car, brought to the station, fingerprinted, mug shots were taken and he was placed in a cell.
He knew his license was going to be suspended by midnight on Saturday.
He had the Department of Motor Vehicles letter to prove it. He had bought his license to operator control on Monday, earlier than the letter of suspension required.
According to the DMV, when you surrender your license, your suspension begins.
He was unaware of that part of the law. He was stunned, and he was in trouble.
The reason his license was suspended in the first place was because he was drinking a beer on the front yard of his rented home last month.
He was not in a car.
He is 20 years old. In the state of Rhode Island, "Individuals under 21 in possession of alcohol face a fine of $150 to $750 for a first offense, $300 to $750 for a second offense and $450 to $950 for a third offense." In addition, the penalty for possession by a minor will include 30 hours of community service and a license suspension for a minimum of 60 days.
Secondly, if you are not 21 - even if you are with someone who is over 21 (unless they are your parent - and there are alcoholic beverages in the vehicle you will be cited, fined, and the alcohol will be confiscated your driver's license will also be suspended.
There have been federal grants for extra patrols to watch liquor stores for underage persons with someone purchasing alcohol. In this area, it was like shooting fish in a barrel.
Lastly, procuring alcohol for minors is a crime.
This summer, the R.I. General Assembly passed the social host law. The first offense starts with a fine of not less than $350.
The bill also includes stipulation for those using fake IDs who attempt to purchase alcohol.
The penalties start at a minimum of $100 and 30 hours of community service and 30 days of a suspended license.
The reason for this letter is to advise you of the law.
As the example shows, we are responsible for knowing and understanding the laws.
Even those of you who are unaware of the law, if you break it, you will suffer the penalties if you are caught.
I just learned that I cannot offer my 20-year-old son a beer during Patriots games nor a glass of champagne at Christmas in my own home without violating the social host law. I am stunned.
Penney Hanson
