County ranks 5th in Pa for underage drinking citations
NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Bucks counties ranked among the top 10 counties in the state with the highest percentage of underage drinking citations during a recent fiveyear period, according to statistics compiled by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
During the five-year period 2017 to 2021, underage drinking citations statewide totaled 45,402, according to the data compiled by the AOPC.
In Pennsylvania, an underage drinking citation is issued to anyone under the age of 21 who is caught possessing, consuming, transporting, purchasing or attempting to purchase any alcoholic beverage.
There were 2,138 underage drinking citations issued in Montgomery County between 2017 and 2021, representing about 4.7% of the citations issued statewide, according to the state data. Essentially, Montgomery County ranked fifth in the state in the number of underage drinking citations issued, behind Centre, Allegheny, Chester and Delaware counties.
The numbers do not include driving under the influence citations.
Centre County recorded the most underage drinking citations issued during the five-year period, 4,742, or 10.4% of the statewide total, according to the data. Allegheny County, recording a total of 3,907 underage drinking citations, or 8.6% of the statewide total, ranked second in the state.
Chester County ranked third in the state with 2,833 underage drinking citations issued between 2017 and 2021, or 6.2% of the statewide total. Delaware County, recording 2,225 citations issued during the five-year period, about 4.9% of the statewide total, ranked fourth in the state, according to the AOPC data.
Other counties rounding out the top 10 for the highest percentage of underage drinking citations between 2017 and 2021 included: Washington (4.4%); Philadelphia (4.08%); Bucks (3.23%); (Columbia 3.04%); and Cumberland (2.96%).
In Berks County, there were 1,092 underage drinking citations issued during the five-year period, representing about 2.41% of the statewide total, according to the state data.
Neighboring Lehigh County recorded 455 underage drinking citations between 2017 and 2021, representing 1% of the statewide total.
The data included underage drinking citations recorded by the Magisterial District Judge System and the Common Pleas Court Case Management System.
The AOPC highlights the work of the courts with data and statistics obtained through the judiciary’s case management systems, interactive dashboards and other research.
The AOPC compiles the data but does not interpret it.
Under state law, a first offense for underage drinking can carry up to a $500 fine. A Second or third offense can carry fines of up to $1,000.
State data showed that $2,558,460 in fines for underage drinking convictions were assessed statewide between 2017 and 2021.