Yesterday, Governor Corzine signed into law an amendment to the statute that prohibits underage drinking. While the amendment serves a noble public policy objective, the new law will probably have limited practicality.
N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15 generally prohibits either the consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under the age of 21. The limited exceptions to the law against possession and consumption may, for example, include a beer at Thanksgiving under parental supervision or a thimble of wine during Communion.
Otherwise, getting caught with alcoholic beverages when under the age of 21 may result in a Disorderly Persons conviction and a six month loss of driving privileges, if the offense occurs in a motor vehicle.
The new law now provides for immunity to underage persons who call 9-1-1 and report that another underage person is in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption. The immunity applies to those acting in concert, as long as the under-aged person is the first to call 9-1-1. And the under-aged caller must remain on the scene and cooperate with the police and emergency personnel.
So, if you want to be the Good Samaritan when someone needs medical assistance after drinking alcohol, please remember the following: a.) check to make sure they are under 21 years old; b.) make sure that it is alcohol that is causing the medical emergency; c.) that no one over 21 years has already called 9-1-1; d.) that you call 9-1-1, instead of a local police number, for example; and e.) that you remain on scene and cooperate.
In all seriousness, be responsible and be safe. Avoid gatherings and parties where alcoholic beverages are being served to under-aged persons. If for no other reason, then because you might get the narrow exceptions wrong!
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