City of Trenton Amends Ordinance to Prohibit Underage Drinking on Private Property

5/25/2012

 

City of Trenton

 

Memo

To:      Trenton City Council, BA, Police Director

From: Councilwoman Reynolds-Jackson

Date:  6/25/2012

Re:      Ordinance 12-22 ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10, “ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES” OF THE CODE FOR THE CITY OF TRENTON TO PROHIBIT CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY MINORS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

First, let me thank you the Council for its valuable input last night on the underage drinking on private property ordinance.  You made several recommendations that I agree should be amended in the ordinance.  Below are the recommendations that will be added to enhance the ordinance:

1.    Section 2. 10-16, of the Code of the Trenton “Exceptions,” is hereby amended to include the following:

2.                 This article shall not prohibit an underage person from consuming or possessing an alcoholic beverage in connection with a religious observance, ceremony or rite.

3.               Nor shall it prohibit an underage person from consuming or possessing an alcoholic beverage in the presence of and with the permission of a parent, guardian or relative who has attained the legal age of 21 years and can purchase and consume alcoholic beverages..

2.    Section 3.  10-17, of the Code of the City of Trenton “Violations and Penalties,” is hereby amended to include the following:

A.   Any person found guilty of violating 10-6(G) of this article as a first offense shall be subject to a written warning with full disclosure of penalties for any future offenses.

B.    250 hours of drug and alcohol counseling and/or a fine of $250 for the second offense

C.   350 hours of drug and alcohol counseling, a fine of $350 for any subsequent offense. The court may, in addition to the fine authorized for this offense, suspend or postpone for six months the driving privileges of the defendant.

Section 4.  Definitions to be added:

            MINOR -- A person under the age of 18 years at the time of the offense