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Keg Law
Brucelee41042
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I got in a little trouble over the weekend. Bought some alcohol for underage minors on a dry campus. Luckily, I told the truth, only people that got in trouble were me, and the room owners. Only bought a fifth of cheap vodka, and a six pack. The officer gave me a citation for the "keg law", which he states is a lesser offense then buying alcohol for a minor. I couldn't find a whole lot of information online about this law. I know the the maximum sentence is 90 days in jail (yeah right), and a 250 dollar fine. I asked some of the kids on campus, the most anyone's ever gotten was a 150 dollar fine, 6 months probation, and 10 hours of community service. Just wondering if anyone has more information on this "keg law". I've never been in trouble before, and I told the truth right off the bat, so I'm sure they'll be lenient. I just want to know what to expect.
Brucelee41042 on
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CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
In other words, it's still illegal, but the intent is significantly reduced.
Its just a citation, just like a parking or speeding ticket.
Show up for your hearing well dressed (suit+tie is fine!) and be polite -- you should get off with just a fine, maybe some community service
You should talk to someone in the public defender's office before your hearing.
I have also been told by police officers (both friends and family members) that you never, ever, ever admit to a damn thing. If you are pulled over going 120 in a 20mph school zone, you tell the cop you do not understand why you were pulled over.
Non-criminal Incident #2007C00461
Reported: JAN 12 2007-Friday-1:54am
Occurred: JAN 12 2007-Friday-1:54am
Classification: ALCOHOL RELATED INCIDENT - Keg Law Violation
Location: DORMS - NORSE HALL
Disposition: Closed
Summary: While on patrol, Officers heard loud music coming from the listed location. Upon investigation, Officers could hear cans being thrown away inside the location. Officer requested that Residential Life respond to this location. Upon arrival, Residential Life personnel requested, and were granted, access to this location. Upon entering, Units found several subjects in the residence where alcoholic beverages had been consumed. One subject was issued a Kentucky State Citation for violation of Campbell County's Keg Law (Responsibility for possession/consumption of alcoholic beverages by a minor). Information on the other subjects was obtained by Residential Life personnel for possible further disciplinary action.
Than is right, though, definitely have a talk with the public defender. If you think the cop did anything wrong or didn't follow protocol, let him know. I wouldn't bother with a lawyer, unless you have $ to burn -- from my experience, they will make your punishment less severe, maybe reduce some fines and probation times, but you'll just end up paying the lawyer that much more. The public defender will be plenty helpful and should let you know about your options.
I've had run ins with the police twice. First time was when I bought alcohol for some school friends (both me and the friends were underage). They could have charged me as a minor for supplying alcohol to minors, but offered not to press charges if I wrote a signed statement that they could use as evidence to prosecute the owner of the off-licence that I bought the alcohol from.
The second time I got pulled over doing over 40mph in a 30 zone. When they asked me if I knew why I was pulled over, I admitted that I was speeding, when they asked me if I had a good reason for speeding I confessed that I did not and they let me go with a verbal warning.
From personal experience, being honest seems to pay off. I certainly know that the view of the police in Britain is that if you are speeding and you claim you didn't realise that you were speeding then you are much more likely to get fined because you've just admitted that you weren't even paying attention to your speed.
Of course, this all applies to being caught red handed. If you know the evidence is stacked against you, plead guilty and show remorse - you'll almost always get off with a lesser sentence. If you think you can successfully argue the case, by all means give it a shot.
Well sure. Although they may just advise you to plead guilty for a reduced sentence, you'd be crazy not to seek their council in the first place. But for minor things like getting caught speeding or having an underage booze-up and you get caught red-handed, trying to be a smart ass or making the cops job more difficult is only likely to land you with a bigger on the spot fine.