A CMA Question

[JohnC]

A question to cover my *** and make sure.

I'm 18 and live in NC. I regularly attend parties where alcohol is consumed. So of the attendees are of legal drinking age and some are not. My question is that if a party is busted and people are being arrested for drinking underage and providing alcohol to minors, would I be in any trouble for being there. I never drink, not even a sip, I also do not plan/host any parties and I do not take any part of obtaining said alcohol. I am simply hanging out with my friends who happen to be drinking underage.

[Creeker]

A question to cover my *** and make sure.

I'm 18 and live in NC. I regularly attend parties where alcohol is consumed. So of the attendees are of legal drinking age and some are not. My question is that if a party is busted and people are being arrested for drinking underage and providing alcohol to minors, would I be in any trouble for being there. I never drink, not even a sip, I also do not plan/host any parties and I do not take any part of obtaining said alcohol. I am simply hanging out with my friends who happen to be drinking underage.

SO if I understand it, you enjoy consorting with Criminals.

You are a drive-by fatality waiting to happen.

[mobrien316]

I respectfully disagree with Creeker.

As an 18 year old, I think you are showing maturity and good judgment by choosing not to drink despite the fact that your peers are consuming alcohol.

It is difficult for a young person to find any social events where no has consumed or is consuming alcohol. It doesn't seem reasonable that a young person should have to avoid any friends who drink as well as avoid going to any social events where there is alcohol available.

I would say you are fine with what you are doing. Don't drink, don't get in the car with anyone who has been drinking, and if the cops show up to a party you are attending don't do anything stupid.

[retdetsgt]

I think you would probably be okay, depending on the circumstances. If it's a kegger where the beer is in the open, etc., you might be inconvenienced if it's busted. Simply the fact at a gathering, there are people in attendance who have consumed alcohol would have no effect on your status.

As far as being criminals, I shut down a party one night where a bunch of kids had a keg of beer in a park. Several were over 21 so I had them take the keg and get out of Dodge. I wasn't about to waste my and a bunch of other cops' time hauling in kids who smelled of beer.

Ten years later, I had a case with a deputy DA and we were having a pre trial meeting. He mentioned that he was one of the kids at that kegger and thanked me for the way I handled it. He's now one of the chief prosecutors.