| Whether this is their first year or their last, all students | | | | * Up to 90 days in jail |
| need to be aware of the serious consequences they | | | | * Loss of driving privileges for 90 days for a first |
| could face if a night of seemingly innocent fun ends in | | | | offense, one year for a second offense and two |
| an arrest. Criminal charges for using a fake ID, | | | | years for a third offense |
| underage drinking or marijuana possession can follow | | | | Marijuana Possession |
| students around long after they have received their | | | | The penalties for marijuana possession are more |
| degrees. | | | | serious than those for underage drinking. The severity |
| Convictions for certain types of crimes, like marijuana | | | | of the penalty depends on how much marijuana was |
| possession, may result in the creation of a criminal | | | | in the student's possession at the time of the arrest. |
| record. Other charges, like underage drinking, may | | | | * If the amount was 30 grams or less, then the student |
| come up on a vehicle background check. A criminal | | | | may be charged with possession of a small amount of |
| record can make it difficult for students to secure | | | | marijuana and sentenced to 30 days in jail and have to |
| employment in a highly competitive job market and | | | | pay a maximum $500 fine |
| may limit their options for entering graduate programs, | | | | * If the amount was more than 30 grams, the student |
| like law school and medical school. Moreover, drug | | | | may be charged with possession of marijuana and |
| related convictions (including simple possession) can | | | | sentenced up to one year in jail and have to pay a |
| prevent students from receiving various types of | | | | maximum $5000 fine |
| student aid and student loans. | | | | A student convicted of marijuana possession also will |
| Pennsylvania Fake ID Laws | | | | lose his or her driving privileges for 6 months for the |
| Minors under 21 years old who are caught with a fake | | | | first conviction, one year for a second conviction and |
| identification card, use a fake ID to buy or attempt to | | | | two years for a third or subsequent conviction. |
| buy alcohol or verbally communicate to someone that | | | | Students caught with drug paraphernalia in their |
| they are 21 or older to buy alcohol may be charged | | | | possession? like a pot pipe? can be charged with an |
| with one of these crimes: | | | | additional crime, which carries up to 1 year in jail and a |
| * Misrepresentation of age to secure liquor or malt or | | | | maximum $2500 fine. The penalties for marijuana |
| brewed beverages (18 PA CSA 6307) | | | | possession increase for any subsequent violations. |
| * Carrying a false identification card (18 PA CSA | | | | Effect of Drug Offenses on Student Aid |
| 6310.3) | | | | Aside from monetary fines and potential jail time, |
| False identification includes using or possessing another | | | | college students who are convicted under federal or |
| person's id who is of legal age or using or possessing | | | | state drug laws also face the potential of losing their |
| an id with false age, name and/or birth date | | | | rights to certain forms of student aid. Under the Higher |
| information, regardless of whether it has the student's | | | | Education Act of 1998, students convicted of any |
| own photograph on it. | | | | crime involving the possession or sale of a controlled |
| First offenses for violating the state's fake id laws are | | | | substance are not eligible to receive any federal grant, |
| summary offenses and generally are punishable only | | | | loan or work assistance for a specified period of time, |
| by a fine. Subsequent offenses, however, are third | | | | depending on the offense. |
| degree misdemeanors and carry increased penalties. | | | | For example, if a college student is convicted of a drug |
| Penalties for violating these laws can include: | | | | possession crime, he or she is ineligible for student aid |
| * $300 fine for a first offense | | | | for a year following the conviction. The ineligibility period |
| * $500 fine for a second or subsequent offense | | | | is extended to two years for a second offense, and a |
| * Up to 90 days in jail | | | | third or subsequent offense renders the student |
| * Loss of driving privileges for 90 days for a first | | | | ineligible indefinitely. |
| offense, one year for a second offense and two | | | | The penalties for conviction of a crime involving the |
| years for a third offense | | | | sale of a controlled substance are tougher: A first |
| If a student is charged under one of the state's fake ID | | | | offense results in two years of financial aid ineligibility, |
| laws, the police will notify their parents. | | | | while a second or subsequent offense means that the |
| Underage Drinking (UAD) | | | | student is ineligible for an indefinite time. |
| College students under the legal drinking age who are | | | | Conclusion |
| caught buying or attempting to buy alcohol, drinking, in | | | | If you have been charged with a crime, even a |
| possession of alcohol or transporting alcohol in their | | | | misdemeanor, it is important to begin working with an |
| vehicles may be charged under 18 PA CSA 6308 with | | | | experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as |
| an underage drinking offense. A first time UAD | | | | possible to minimize the consequences of the charges. |
| offense is treated as a summary offense, while | | | | In some cases, you may be able to complete a |
| subsequent offenses are treated as third degree | | | | community service program or other type of |
| misdemeanors. | | | | accelerated rehabilitative diversionary (ARD) program |
| The penalties for underage drinking in Pennsylvania | | | | to reduce or eliminate the penalties against you. |
| include: | | | | Do not underestimate the amount of trouble you may |
| * $300 fine for first offense | | | | be in. A conviction for any crime can have devastating |
| * $500 fine for the second and each subsequent | | | | consequences for your college career and impact |
| offense | | | | your ability to find employment after graduation. |