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Barrington Teenagers Arrested for Underage Drinking Party

As reported by John Hill in the August 22, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, thirteen (13) teenagers from Barrington have been arrested for trespassing. The teenagers are accused of trespassing at a home, when the residents were on vacation, to have an underage drinking party. There was alcohol missing from the home and the home was left in disarray. The teenagers range in age from fourteen (14) to seventeen (17) years old. All but one of the cases has been referred to the Town's Juvenile Hearing Board. One case was referred to Family Court.

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-44-26, trespass is defined as every person who willfully trespasses or, having no legitimate purpose for his or her presence, remains upon the land of another or upon the premises or curtilage of the domicile of any person legally entitled to the possession of that domicile, after having been forbidden to do so by the owner of the land or the owner's duly authorized agent or a person legally entitled to the possession of the premises.

The penalties if convicted include a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both.

It is unclear if the teenagers will also face charges for underage alcohol offenses such as minor in possession of alcohol. Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 3-8-10, any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday and has in his or her possession any beverage as defined in this title shall be fined one hundred fifty dollars ($150) to seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) for the first offense, three hundred dollars ($300) to seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) for the second offense, and four hundred fifty dollars ($450) to nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) for the third or subsequent offense. In addition, any person who violates this section shall be required to perform thirty (30) hours of community service and shall be subject to a minimum sixty (60) day suspension of his or her driver's license, and upon a second offense may be ordered to undergo a substance abuse assessment by a licensed substance abuse professional.

If you or a family member has been charged with underage possession of alcohol, providing alcohol to minors or other social host violations, please allow Attorney Robert H. Humphrey's reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Please contact Attorney Robert H. Humphrey, Esq., at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.

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