Alcohol, Minors, College, and the Cops

[Jared Buletza]

This might bring back some memories to some of you. I got to a college
in a very small town (appx. 1500) in Iowa. There are about three police
officers in the entire county. With nothing to do on a friday night,
the cops like to bust up parties.

I watched from a neighbor's apartment as a cop knocked on the door of
apt that was having a party. There was loud music that was disturbing
other tennants (probably the reason why the cop showed up). Well, the
cop brought a little breath-a-lyzer machine and breath tested everyone
in the apt (except for two of my friends that climbed out of a window
[second floor] because they were minors and international students).
All of the minors that had ANY traces of alcohol in their blood were
given MIPs (Minor in Possesion) a ticket with a fine of appx $120. All
of the kids that were 21 or older, regardless of drinking or not, were
given $160 tickets for allowing minors to posses alcohol (I forgot what
the ticket was called). The party was broken up of course.

While attending a party of nearly all minors in San Diego, CA, the
police came and knocked on the door. They spoke with the girl (a minor)
whose parents owned the house, she then told everyone to go home. It
was obvious that minors were drinking and everyone was just sent home.
While inside when the police showed up, I was told by a friend that the
cops couldn't enter the house but they could break up the party.

When I return to school in August, I will be living in a house
off-campus. My question is:

If I have people over, and we are not violating a noise ordinance, can
the police enter my home with the accusation that there are minors
drinking, and hand out tickets? Can I get in trouble if all of the
minors flee through other doors to the house so when the cop comes in
only people over 21 are there? Can I get in trouble for taking my time
opening the door so the others can flee? Can someone point me in the
right direction or quote law or something. I tried searching through
Iowa state law for "Consumption private minor alcohol" and other similar
phrases but there are literally hundreds of laws that contain these
words.

Thanks for reading this. Hope you can help me.

[John Benedict]

Jared Buletza wrote in message <37995CC3...@specialtyproduce.com>...
:This might bring back some memories to some of you. I got to a college

Here's a novel concept...don't allow minors to drink at your home. It's
easier to stay within the boundaries of the law rather than trying to find
ways to circumvent it!

John

[Brett Weiss]

>> If I have people over, and we are not violating a noise ordinance, can
the police enter my home with the accusation that there are minors
drinking, and hand out tickets? <<

Yes.

>> Can I get in trouble if all of the minors flee through other doors to the
house so when the cop comes in only people over 21 are there? <<

Yes.

>> Can I get in trouble for taking my time opening the door so the others
can flee? <<

Yes.

IOW, if you break the law and allow others to do so in your presence, you
can get in serious trouble.

--
Brett

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The Small Print: This response is for discussion purposes only. It isn't
meant to be legal advice and you shouldn't treat it as such. If you want
legal advice, speak with a local lawyer familiar with your state's laws who
can review *all* of the facts and the law applicable to your situation.
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Jared Buletza <ja...@specialtyproduce.com> wrote in message
news:37995CC3...@specialtyproduce.com...

[noname]

Okay kid, here's some advise that might help.

First of all, do not EVER let the police into your house.
If they knock on the door, turn down the music and go
OUTSIDE to talk to them. Don't stand in the doorway,
and don't let them in. - to prevent the cops from coming in,
you should not leave the door open, or have people coming/going
from multiple doors.

Don't have a keg. If you have a party buy a few different kinds
of cases. This way you won't definitely be charged with providing
the alcohol.

If the cops do come inside - Have everyone put down their beer.
Tell your guests to refuse to submit to the breathalyzer. The cops
have no right to demand someone submit to that test who is not
operating a motor vehicle.

One other tip, If you only party once in a while, you should invite your
neighbors, or at least tell them that you're going to have a party. This
will make them much less likely to call the cops on you.

Good Luck-- Party ON

P.S. Do the other person who posted a response-- I'm so glad you didn't
touch any
Alcohol until you turned 21 - you are a shining example of restraint.

Jared Buletza wrote in message <37995CC3...@specialtyproduce.com>...

[ARU]

I live in the UK, and I'm amazed at how hard the U.S. cops are on
underage drinking.

I don't think that underage drinking in a communal surrounding on
private property really is such a sin.