To the Visor:

As a criminal defense attorney who attended Hoban many years ago, I read with interest the article on teen drinking (Visor, March 20). While many aspects were covered, the article failed to address the potential criminal consequences of underage drinking.

I can assure you the legal system has no sense of humor on this issue, and local police in most communities have stepped up enforcement to include "raids" into homes where parties are being held. The result is criminal prosecution either in the juvenile court (if under 18) or adult court.

In either event, you can expect to receive a hefty fine and a driver's license suspension (yes, they can suspend your license even if the offense had nothing to do with being in an automobile). Most courts are ordering jail time on subsequent convictions.

The offense itself is a first degree misdemeanor which constitutes a criminal record. All future employers and prospective colleges will have easy access to that conviction through simple Internet search.

These are just a few of the additional things you should consider in deciding whether your 17-year-old self should write a check that your 21-year-old self would rather not cash.

--Paul F. Adamson, Attorney at Law