Program to discuss underage drinking

Under New Jersey Law (P.L. 2003, CHAPTER 314), if an offender’s BAC is 0.08 percent or higher, but less than 0.10 percent, or if an offender permits another person with a BAC over 0.08 percent, but less than 0.10 percent to operate a motor vehicle, the penalties are:A minimum of six hours a day for two consecutive days in an Intoxicated Driver Resource CenterAn automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 years.If the offenders’s BAC is 0.10 percent or higher, or the person operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of a narcotic, hallucinogenic or habit-producing drug, or permits another person with a BAC of 0.10 percent to operate a motor vehicle, the penalties are:A fine of $300-$500*Imprisonment for up to 30 days*A license suspension between 7 months and 1 year*A minimum of six hours a day for two consecutive days in an Intoxicated Driver Resource CenterAn automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 yearsOffenders with a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher must install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle they principally operate during the license suspension period and for a period of 6 months to 1 year after license restoration.A fine of $500-$1,000*Imprisonment of at least 48 consecutive hours, and up to 90 days*2-year license suspension*48 consecutive hours detainment in a regional Intoxicated Driver Resource Center.An automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 years.Installation of an ignition interlock device for a period of 1 year to 3 years after license restoration.A fine of $1,000*Imprisonment of 180 days*10-year license suspension*Detainment in an in-patient alcoholism treatment programA fee to be paid to the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center dependent upon court sentenceAn automobile insurance surcharge of $1500 a year for 3 yearsInstallation of an ignition interlock device for a period of 1 year to 3 years after license restoration.$100 surcharge to be deposited in the Drunk Driving Enforcement FundA Motor Vehicle Commission restoration fee of $100 and an Intoxicated Driving Program fee of $100A Violent Crimes Compensation Fund fee of $50A Safe and Secure Community Program fee of $75In addition to these penalties, judges may order the revocation of the vehicle registration (Public Law 2000, Chapter 83).The ignition interlock device, which measures the driver’s blood alcohol level, may be required for up to three years following license restoration after a DWI conviction. Any person may start a motor vehicle equipped with an interlock device for safety reasons or to repair the device or motor vehicle, but the convicted offender may not operate the vehicle.A person who, on behalf of the convicted offender, blows into an interlock device to start a motor vehicle or tampers with the device to circumvent its operation may be charged with a disorderly persons offense.In New Jersey, you must be at least 21 years of age to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages. Underage drinking is illegal and can have severe consequences for young people who drink and for adults who provide alcoholic beverages to those under 21.If you are under 21 and buy or drink alcohol in a place with an alcohol beverage license, you may be fined $500 and lose your driver license for 6 months. If you do not have your driver license, the suspension starts when you are first eligible to receive a license. Also you may be required to participate in an alcohol education or treatment program.If you are under 21, drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in your system (.01 BAC or above), and are convicted for violating New Jersey’s zero tolerance law, the penalties are:Loss or postponement of driving privileges for 30 to 90 days15 to 30 days of community serviceParticipation in an alcohol and traffic safety education programA fine of $500*10 to 90 days imprisonment*Revocation of motor vehicle registration*1st offense - 
$300-$500 fine and a license suspension of not less than seven months or more than one year*2nd offense - 
$500-$1,000 fine and a 2-year license suspension*3rd offense - 
$1,000 fine and a 10-year license suspension*Installation of an ignition interlock device for a period of 6 months to 1 year after license restoration for the 1st offense, 1 year to 3 years for the 2nd and 3rd offenses.Automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 years for 1st and 2nd offenses, $1,500 for 3rd offense$100 surcharge to be deposited in the Drunk Driving Enforcement FundReferral to an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center1st offense - $2002nd offense - $250 fine or 10 days of community service

Edison Municipal Alliance program on underage drinking Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs. Underage drinking is responsible for 4,300 annual deaths among youth nationwide. In 2009, 80.2% of all emergency department admissions in Edison were alcohol-related. Based on the 2012 NJ Pride Survey, 41.5% of 12th graders have used alcohol in the last 30 days. Of those 12th graders, 61% of students reported using at home or at a friends house under adult supervision. Edison Township is one of hundreds of communities nationwide that will be holding Town Hall Meetings to discuss and raise awareness about the issue of underage drinking.       On May 22 at 6:00 p.m. The Edison Municipal Alliance in collaboration with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Middlesex County, Inc., (NCADD) and the coalition for Health communities will be sponsoring a similar endeavor. Parents, teachers, officials, youth and all other community members are invited to attend this meeting to engage in discussion that will aim to educate the community about the impact underage drinking has on the community and develop possible ways to address this issue. A panel of speakers consisting of law enforcement, physicians, lAttorney Kenneth Vercammen and business owners will be present to raise awareness on the consequences of underage drinking .Alcohol Awareness
	Driving While Intoxicated in New Jersey
	Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Additional Alcohol-Related Information & Resources In New Jersey, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he/she operates a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater. BAC refers to the amount of alcohol in your blood. Although the law refers to a 0.08 percent BAC, you can be convicted of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor even when your BAC is below 0.08 percent. Consuming even small amounts of alcohol dulls the senses, decreases reaction time, and hampers judgement, vision and alertness. If you consume any amount of alcohol and your driving is negatively impacted, you can be convicted of drunk driving.
	Parents and Guardians
	A parent or guardian who is convicted of driving while intoxicated and had a passenger in the motor vehicle 17 years of age or younger, is also guilty of a disorderly persons offense. In addition, a person forfeits the right to operate a motor vehicle for a maximum of six months and must perform community service for up to five days.
	The Penalties
	1st Offense
	A fine of $250-$400*
	Imprisonment for up to 30 days*
	3 months license suspension*
	2nd Offense
	3rd Offense
	Any Offense Also Carries
Registration Revocation/Ignition Interlock
MVC Ignition Interlock Page
Consequences of Underage Drinking and Driving
Driving with a Suspended License Due to Driving While Intoxicated – The Penalties are:
	1 to 2 years added license suspension*
	If you are involved in a crash while your license is suspended and someone is hurt, you face a mandatory 45 day jail sentence*
Refusal to Submit to Breath Test – The Penalties are:
Possessing an Open Container in the Passenger Compartment – The Penalties are:
	* If occurring within a school zone or school crossing, this penalty is increased under Public Law 99, Chapter 185. Source: http://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/alcohol.html