1. First-time underage drinking offense, ages 16-20:
   Is a civil offense in Vermont, which can result in:
   • Attendance at the Diversion Saturday education class;
   • $275.00 Diversion fee;
   • Further assessment and counseling may be mandated before Diversion is considered completed.

   Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. Attendance means arriving on time, class participation and staying until the session ends. An offender who does not register, participate in class or attend all sessions will be considered to have withdrawn from the program. No program fees will be refunded.
   
   The offender is expected to arrange his/her schedule if the offender wishes to participate in the Diversion option.

2. Second underage drinking offense in Windsor County requires:
   
   • Screening by Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor;
   • $300.00 Diversion fee;
   • Mandatory 30 hours of community service that has been pre-approved by the Diversion staff.

OR:

You can choose to contest your ticket, (if you lose, see below)

• You can decide not to participate in Diversion, pay a $300.00 court fine;
• Your license will be suspended for 90 days;
• Your car insurance will probably go up dramatically, as a result;
• You have a civil conviction on your record.

Note:

Vermont has a "zero tolerance" law for underage drinkers, which means that there is no legal B.A.C. level for drivers under 21. This means that just a few swallows of alcohol for a driver under 21 may lead to an "underage drinking and driving" offense, with penalties similar to those for a first-time DUI, which is a criminal offense.

This misdemeanor DUI can result in:

• Possible jail time,
• A young offender losing his/her license for six months,
• A fine,
• An alcohol assessment, and treatment if needed,
• Paid attendance at a CRASH program ($400.00),
• Driver's license reinstatement fee,
• Cancellation of car insurance, requiring you to buy risk insurance, costing often twice as much,
• Attorney's fees,
• Towing fees,
• If you are arrested for DUI, the vehicle can be impounded and searched.
• If drugs or other contraband are found, you can be prosecuted for that too, possibly leading to a felony charge and your vehicle may become the property of the police.

In Addition: Adults risk jail time and a fine if they supply alcohol to minors, whether or not the minor drives.

"Social Hosting" a party where alcohol is available to underage drinkers is a criminal offense; parents can be arrested and may risk loss of home owners insurance, etc. If an underage drinker kills or injures another person, the person who supplied the alcohol can be charged with a felony for the death, or a gross misdemeanor for an injury, and can be also be charged in civil lawsuits by individuals or their town, to recoup the cost of the arrest and its consequences.

Once you have read this information carefully please call AJ at 802-295-5078 ex 14 to get started.