Spring Break
University Student Senate Lawyer offers advice on state alcohol laws
Hillary Brady
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: News
10/24/08 - The University of Rhode Island's Student Senate lawyer, Samuel Fleisig, was available at the Memorial Union on Thursday to advise students about Rhode Island general laws concerning alcohol.
"Every year I see students falling into the same patterns," Fleisig said. Students typically find themselves in trouble when purchasing alcohol off campus. Local police usually station themselves outside or near local liquor stores and pull over students as they leave the parking lot, he said.
Rhode Island law prohibits the transportation of alcoholic beverages by underage persons. This means, said Fleisig, it is illegal for an underage student to drive anyone over the age of 21 to purchase liquor or transport it. Thus, the minor can be charged for operating a motor vehicle with any form of liquor, opened or unopened.
By purchasing alcohol for a minor, the adult faces a felony, which is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in prison. Though imprisonment is rare, fines are very common. Adults are also prohibited from having a minor in the car as a passenger while alcohol is present, unless the underage person is a family member.
The possession of a beverage by an underage person is also punishable with a fine, which is proportionate to the number of offenses by the minor. For first offenders, fines can reach up to $500. The fines get progressively more expensive for each additional offense. Thus, minors face a dilemma, in which they are not yet adult in terms of drinking, but are adults in the eyes of the law.
When facing potential fines, Flesig warns students to avoid simply pleading guilty and paying the fine. By pleading guilty, students will have a record of arrest and conviction. "The one thing you don't want is a criminal record," Flesig said. "It follows you."
He added this is extremely detrimental to students once they apply for jobs, since many employers check potential employees' criminal records.
Fleisig said the most important thing for students after they've been arrested is to seek legal advice. He added that students should not be afraid to tell their parents about their legal problems. In the long run, having the help of a family lawyer might help students avoid a criminal record.
Fleisig is also available for students to seek free, completely confidential legal advice. He is available every Thursday afternoon, after 1:30p.m., in the Memorial Union. Students can contact the Student Senate office to book an appointment.
In order to avoid problems, students should use common sense and not have minors in the car when purchasing alcohol. By being aware of these Rhode Island laws, Fleisig "can avoid [having to advise] students ahead of time."
"Every year I see students falling into the same patterns," Fleisig said. Students typically find themselves in trouble when purchasing alcohol off campus. Local police usually station themselves outside or near local liquor stores and pull over students as they leave the parking lot, he said.
Rhode Island law prohibits the transportation of alcoholic beverages by underage persons. This means, said Fleisig, it is illegal for an underage student to drive anyone over the age of 21 to purchase liquor or transport it. Thus, the minor can be charged for operating a motor vehicle with any form of liquor, opened or unopened.
By purchasing alcohol for a minor, the adult faces a felony, which is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in prison. Though imprisonment is rare, fines are very common. Adults are also prohibited from having a minor in the car as a passenger while alcohol is present, unless the underage person is a family member.
The possession of a beverage by an underage person is also punishable with a fine, which is proportionate to the number of offenses by the minor. For first offenders, fines can reach up to $500. The fines get progressively more expensive for each additional offense. Thus, minors face a dilemma, in which they are not yet adult in terms of drinking, but are adults in the eyes of the law.
When facing potential fines, Flesig warns students to avoid simply pleading guilty and paying the fine. By pleading guilty, students will have a record of arrest and conviction. "The one thing you don't want is a criminal record," Flesig said. "It follows you."
He added this is extremely detrimental to students once they apply for jobs, since many employers check potential employees' criminal records.
Fleisig said the most important thing for students after they've been arrested is to seek legal advice. He added that students should not be afraid to tell their parents about their legal problems. In the long run, having the help of a family lawyer might help students avoid a criminal record.
Fleisig is also available for students to seek free, completely confidential legal advice. He is available every Thursday afternoon, after 1:30p.m., in the Memorial Union. Students can contact the Student Senate office to book an appointment.
In order to avoid problems, students should use common sense and not have minors in the car when purchasing alcohol. By being aware of these Rhode Island laws, Fleisig "can avoid [having to advise] students ahead of time."
