Princeton University Alcohol Policy

The criminal lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have considerable experience defending alcohol related offenses at Princeton University. Whether the result of underage drinking or excessive intoxication, a criminal charge or even disciplinary violation can significantly impact your future. This is one of several reasons why it is foolish to attempt to defend a case without the benefit of a skilled attorney. Our team of defense attorneys have successfully handled hundreds of underage possession of alcohol and similar matters. To obtain a free initial consultation with lawyer about a violation of the Princeton University Alcohol Policy or a criminal complaint, contact our Princeton Office at 609–683–8102. The text that follows is a copy of the Princeton University Alcohol Policy.

When are Princeton University Students in Violation of the Alcohol Policy?

1. On campus and in the local vicinity, students are in violation of the University alcohol policy under any or all of the following circumstances:
   1. When participating in or organizing an activity that encourages excessive drinking (e.g., drinking games, pre-gaming with hard alcohol, initiation activities, hazing), as these acts can endanger the individual being served. These are especially serious violations.
   2. When the serving or consumption of alcohol contributes to behavior that (i) intimidates or harasses others; (ii) injures or threatens to injure others (e.g., driving under the influence of alcohol, assault); (iii) leads to the destruction of property; or (iv) infringes on the peace and privacy of others. These are especially serious violations. In keeping with state law, when a student has been detained by Public Safety or local law enforcement officials on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the refusal to submit to the taking of breath samples for the purpose of determining blood alcohol content will be taken as conclusive evidence that the student was driving under the influence of alcohol.
   3. Violations of local ordinances or state laws by students may also be grounds for University disciplinary action, regardless of where such violations occur, if they clearly violate University standards of conduct. Additional state and federal laws can be found at www.princeton.edu/odus/standards. (See section“State and Federal Laws”)
   4. Failure to immediately contact appropriate University or local medical or safety personnel (such as Public Safety officers, deans, University Health Services (UHS) staff, University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro staff, or local police or members of the rescue squad) on behalf of a severely intoxicated person.
2. On campus, students are in violation of the University alcohol policy under any or all of the following circumstances.
   1. When carrying or possessing an open container of alcohol (defined as any container not sealed by the manufacturer) in or across common spaces (lounges, game rooms, courtyards, dining areas, hallways, etc.).
   2. When in possession of a keg and/or tap or other evidence of intent to serve alcohol, including alcohol delivered in large quantities to the University Mailroom (unless permission has been granted by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students or the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School).
   3. When, under the age of 21, in possession of any container of alcohol in common spaces of the University, including alcohol delivered to the University Mailroom.
   4. When alcohol is served, provided, or made available by or to persons under the age of 21. Violations involving juveniles, such as high school applicants or visitors to the University, will be deemed particularly serious.
   5. When alcohol is served, provided, or made available to any person, regardless of his or her age, without prior approval from the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students or the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School.
   6. When procuring alcohol for persons under the age of 21 or by falsifying identification.

What are the Consequences of Violating the Alcohol Policy?

Students who are in violation of the alcohol policy are subject to a range of University sanctions: warning, disciplinary probation (including housing, and/or campus service sanctions), withholding of degree, suspension, suspension with conditions, expulsion, and censure. In keeping with the University’s particular concern about high-risk alcohol use, the consequences for violations of the alcohol policy will reflect the level of risk represented by the behavior as well as the impact of the behavior upon the community.

In general, first instance lower-risk violations will result in a dean’s warning; subsequent violations will result in, at a minimum, disciplinary probation. Examples of lower-risk alcohol violations include, but are not necessarily limited to, situations where:

• Only low-proof alcohol (under 30 proof) is present;
• A modest amount of alcohol is available, appropriate to the number of persons present;
• No high-risk drinking, including drinking games, is occurring;
• No “common sources” of alcohol, such as kegs or alcoholic punch, are present;
• Neither the serving nor the consumption of alcohol has contributed to behavior that infringes on the peace and privacy of others (e.g., disorderly conduct, harassment, vandalism or property damage, injuring or threatening to injure others, driving under the influence of alcohol).

The University regards higher-risk violations of the alcohol policy as more serious than lower-risk violations. In general, a student who commits a first higher-risk alcohol violation is placed on disciplinary probation.

Discipline for a second higher-risk offense will be more serious and may involve a long term of disciplinary probation, campus service, and/or revocation of on-campus residential privileges. Students should expect to be suspended for a third higher-risk alcohol or alcohol-related offense or for any particularly egregious first or second offense. Higher-risk alcohol violations include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• The serving, providing, or making available of hard alcohol (in any quantity);
• The possession of hard alcohol by underage persons in common spaces of the University;
• The possession of kegs or other common sources of alcohol;
• Drinking games or “pre-gaming”;
• The possession of any large quantity of alcohol (of any kind) relative to the number of people present;
• Violations that result from intoxication, such as assault, harassment, disorderly conduct, vandalism, or property damage.
• Failing to immediately contact appropriate University or local medical or safety personnel on behalf of a severely intoxicated person.

Deans and directors of student life may notify a student’s parents following any significant incident of drug/alcohol-related misconduct. Alcohol, kegs, and/or taps used in violation of the above regulations will be confiscated.

Students who violate the University’s alcohol or drug policies are encouraged to avail themselves of the services of the Alcohol and Other Drug Program offered by the University Office of Counseling and Psychological Services. When appropriate, deans and directors of student life may require an alcohol/drug evaluation by University Health Services Staff.

Princeton NJ Underage Consumption of Alcohol Lawyer

If you have been charged with underage consumption of alcohol at Princeton University, our lawyers have the ability to help you. We are veteran defense attorneys who have represented countless students and visitors arrested for underage drinking at Princeton University and elsewhere in Mercer County. To speak to a Princeton Criminal Lawyer immediately, call us at 609–683–8102. There is no obligation for the consultation so do not hesitate in contact us for guidance.