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Information Available Regarding Responsible Use Of Alcohol
Capitol Comments
Senator Robert W. Singer • Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer • Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone 30th Legislative District, Serving Jackson & Howell
 | | Senator Robert W. Singer |
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NEW JERSEY - We would like to share with you information about the facts and consequences regarding the use of alcohol, as provided by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. There is an Alcoholic Beverage Control library of informative publications, including "A Guide for Promoting the Responsible Use of Alcohol," which can be accessed by going to www. nj.gov/oag/abc/library.html.
Included in the brochure are the penalties for adults who purchase alcohol for persons under 21.
Current penalties for adults who purchase alcohol for persons under 21 are arrested for disorderly person; up to a $1,000 fine; other monetary penalties, including a Victims of Crime Compensation Board penalty, a Safe Neighborhood Services penalty; a Law Enforcement Officers Training and Equipment Fund penalty, and participation in an alcohol education or treatment program.
Driving with a minor is also addressed in the brochure. A parent or guardian, who is convicted of driving under the influence and had a minor, under the age of 17, as a passenger in the motor vehicle is also guilty of a disorderly person's offense.
 | | Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer |
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In addition to the penalties, otherwise prescribed by law, the person shall forfeit the right to operate a motor vehicle for a period of not more than six months and shall be ordered to perform community service of not more than five days.
In New Jersey, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he or 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 when your BAC is below 0.08 percent.
According to the information provided, consuming even small amounts of alcohol dulls the senses, decreases reaction time and hampers judgment, vision and alertness. If you consume any amount of alcohol and your driving is affected, you can be convicted of drunk driving.
 | | Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone |
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The owner of a licensed establishment is subject to administrative violations if any of his or her employees sell alcohol to persons under 21. For each sale to a person under 21, the liquor licensee will be subject to a 15 day license suspension for each individual served or sold alcoholic beverages.
For a second violation within two years, the liquor license will be subject to a 30 day license suspension for each person served or sold alcoholic beverages. For a third violation within two years, the liquor licensee will be subject to a 45 day license suspension for each person served or sold alcoholic beverages.
Penalties are enhanced for sales to individuals under the age of 18.
A liquor licensee who has four violations within two years will have his or her license revoked.
It is illegal for a sales clerk, waiter or bartender to sell alcohol to persons under 21. The clerk, waiter or bartender, who does this, can be subject to arrest for disorderly person, up to $1,000 fine, other monetary penalties, including a Victims of Crimes Compensation Board penalty, a Safe Neighborhood Services penalty and a Law Enforcement Officers Training and Equipment Fund penalty.
More information about the responsible use of alcohol can be found at www.nj.gov/oag, and click on the "Division of Alcohol Beverage Control."
Additional relevant highlights can also be accessed at the Web site of the Department of Law and Public Safety, Office of the Attorney General. At that site, there is a recent press release about the "Cops in Shops" program. Funding provided by the Division of Highway Traffic Safety and now in its 12th year, "Cops in Shops" is a program designed by The Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization which is committed to fighting underage drinking. Under the program, which ran this year from May 23 to Sept. 30, local police officers worked undercover in participating retail locations. Law enforcement officers either posed as store employees or were positioned outside the establishment to apprehend adults who attempted to purchase alcohol for underage drinkers.
As part of the program, retail outlets displayed posters and decals on doors, windows, counter tops and cold cases warning underage drinkers that a police officer may be working undercover in the establishment.
To reprint copies of the "A Guide for Promoting the Responsible Use of Alcohol" for individual use or an organization, go to www.nj.gov/oag/ abc/library.html.
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