The legal ramifications of misuse of alcohol and/or controlled substances (drugs) are serious and varied, depending on the circumstances involved. The penalties are determined by examining each individual case. A person can be arrested or cited for violations ranging from summary through felony offenses. Slippery Rock University students and employees can be referred for prosecution for a violation of the law.
The following is a listing of the most common alcohol and other drug violations, and their penalties, committed under federal state and state law. For a more complete description of the offenses, the appropriate federal and criminal and vehicle codes should be consulted.
DRUG OFFENSES
Narcotic drugs - Manufacture, delivery, or possession by an unauthorized person
Felony, up to 15 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
Methamphetamine, cocoa leaves, marijuana (in excess of 1000 pounds)
Felony, imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine of up to $100,000.
Opiates, hallucinogenic substances, marijuana
Felony, up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000.
Barbiturates
Felony, up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
Codeine, morphine, atropine
Misdemeanor, up to 1 year imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.
Possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use (30 grams of marijuana or 8 grams of hashish)
Misdemeanor, up to 30 days imprisonment and a fine of up to $500.
Use or delivery of drug paraphernalia
Misdemeanor, up to 1 year imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,500.
Possession or distribution of look alike drugs having a depressing or stimulating effect
Felony, up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
Manufacture, sale or delivery, holding, offering for sale, or possession of any controlled substance that is altered or misbranded
Misdemeanor, up to 1 year imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.
Trafficking drugs to minors
At least 1 year confinement, 2 years imprisonment if within 1000 feet of a school, college or university.
Possession of controlled or counterfeit substance
Misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail, fine of up to $5,000.
ALCOHOL OFFENSES
Misrepresentation of age to secure liquor, malt, or brewed beverages
First offense - Summary violation, up to $300 fine and 30 days in jail;
Second offense - Misdemeanor, up to $4,500 fine and jail. Operator's license will be suspended.*
Purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages
First offense - up to $300 fine and 30 days in jail and suspension of drivers license for 90 days for minors;
Second offense - up to $500 fine and jail. Operator's license will be suspended*
*Parents of minors will be notified of the violation.
Representation that minor is of age
Misdemeanor, fine of not less than $300.
Inducement of minors to buy liquor, malt or brewed beverages
Misdemeanor, fine of not less $300.
Selling or furnishing liquor, malt or brewed beverages to minors
Misdemeanor, fine of not less than $1000 for the first violation and $2,500 for each subsequent violation.
Carrying a false identification card
Summary offense first violation, fine up to $300 and up to 30 days in jail; Misdemeanor for subsequent violations, fine up to $500 and jail. Operator's license will be suspended.*
RESTRICTIONS ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
The driver of any vehicle may not consume any alcoholic beverage or illegal drug
Summary offense, fine of up to $300 and up to 30 days in jail.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance
Misdemeanor, fine of not less than $300, jail for not less than 48 hours; not less than 30 days in jail for second violation; not less than 90 days in jail for third violation; not less than 1 year for fourth violation.
Homicide by vehicle while driving under influence
Felony, not less than 3 years of imprisonment, fine, revocation of operating privileges.
Sale by, or purchase from, an unlicensed source of liquor or malt or brewed beverage
First offense: misdemeanor, fine from $100 to $500.
Second offense: fine of $300 to $500 and imprisonment of 3 months to 1 year.
Possession or transportation of liquor or alcohol within the state unless obtained from state liquor store or in accordance with the Liquor Control Board regulations
Primary offense: fine of $25 per package;
Second violation: misdemeanor with possible forfeiture of vehicle used to transport.
*Operator's license suspensions:
First offense - 90 days
Second offense - 1 year
Third offense - 2 years
Subsequent offenses - 2 years