FROM:
HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
ULSTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
DATE:
April 29, 2013
SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE-PROMS/GRADUATION
Holley Carnright, District Attorney of
Ulster County, issued today the following public service announcement:
We are fast approaching that time of
year when students in our county will be taking part in proms and graduations.
Although it is justifiably a time of joy and celebration, it is equally one for
caution and restraint.
Alcohol is by far the most widely used
drug among our youth and is directly associated with risk-taking behavior and
other disinhibiting effects that increase the chance of unsafe conduct on their
part. Unfortunately, in recent years, our county, along with much of the rest
of the nation, has experienced its tragic results.
Under certain circumstances, allowing
property to be used in a manner where underage drinking is taking place may
constitute a crime. Section 260.20 of the Penal Law of the State of New York
authorizes the prosecution of any individual who gives or sells or causes to be
given or sold any alcoholic beverage to a person less than 21 years old. A
violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one
year in jail or a $1,000.00 fine, or both. There is a similar section in the
Alcohol Beverage Control Law of the State of New York, also a misdemeanor.
In addition, on February 19, 2008, the
County of Ulster passed “Local Law Number 2 of 2008,” which, in pertinent part,
provides that “no person having control of any premises shall allow an open
house party to take place at said residence if such person knows or has reason
to know that any alcoholic beverage or drug is being unlawfully possessed,
served to or consumed by a minor at said residence.” It defines “open house
party” as “a social gathering at a residence or other private property with
minors present.” A violation of this law is punishable by a fine not exceeding
$250.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the Social Host Liability Act of
the State of New York imposes civil liability upon any individual who knowingly
serves or permits alcohol to be served to a minor if that minor causes injury
to another as a result of his or her intoxication.
We are pleased that a number of school
districts in Ulster County have taken measures to prevent drinking by students
at school-related functions and to deter the consumption of alcoholic beverages
by individuals less than 21 years old. The administration, faculty, and
students of such districts are to be commended for their creative initiatives
to discourage alcohol and drug use by students.
And so we ask that if you permit the
use of your home for a prom, graduation, or other school-related event, you
monitor the situation carefully to insure that all minors in attendance conduct
themselves in a responsible and legal manner. In addition, I ask that if your
child is contemplating using a limousine service to transport him or her to an
event, you remind the owner/operator of such service of their responsibility in
insuring compliance with the laws governing underage drinking.
As a result of the efforts of the
Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, the Law Enforcement Agencies of our
county, the Ulster County Underage Drinking Prevention Team, and the STOP DWI
Task Force, the dangers presented by underage drinking have been identified and
continue to be addressed. Any assistance you can render in that regard will be
greatly appreciated by all of us, and more importantly, may save the life of
one or more of our children.
Ulster County
District Attorney:ulstercountyny.gov/da
