More than 40 juveniles were busted in the first week of the new year by authorities cracking down on underage drinking in Mercer County, Illinois.
What started as a noise complaint ended with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department citing 30 people for unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor after they broke up a party in Joy on New Year’s Eve.
The people at that party reportedly ranged in age from 14 to 20 years old. The party’s host was also cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Thirteen minors and six people older than 21 were cited at a party in Sherrard that was busted Friday, January 4, 2013. The minors, who ranged in age from 16 to 20 years old, were issued citations for unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor.
Six people older than 21 were at the party, and they were cited for unlawful delivery of alcohol to a minor. The 20-year-old host of the party was also cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
New legislation that became effective January 1, 2013 in Illinois makes it a Class A misdemeanor to host or allow gatherings where underage people drink alcohol. Offenders face fines of $500. Charges and potential penalties are more severe if the drinking results in injury or death, since that elevates the charge to a class 4 felony.
