摘要: |
This Guide is intended to help judges and presecutors to more effectively sanction juveniles and youths for alcohol-related offenses, work more cooperatively with administrative agencies and community organizations, and define a role for themselves outside the courtroom in preventing underage drinking and other alcohol-related offenses. Judges and prosecutors face many challenges in their efforts to reduce underage drinking and other alcohol-related driving offenses. Only a small percentage of these offenses ever come before the court. Judges and prosecutors can effectively sanction those underage alcohol offenders that do come before the court and send a consistent message to those who do not by dealing with each case in a manner that will protect the public, hold offenders accountable to the victim and/or community, and provide education or treatment services for the offender. A good disposition will meet all three of these objectives concurrently. Drinking and driving poses serious risks. To reduce impaired driving among youth, all States and the District of Columbia now have a mininum legal drinking age of 21 and zero tolerance laws. It is important that judges and prosecutors pay close attention to all alcohol-related offenses, including underage purchase, possession, and consumption of alcohol. |