It has been reported that there is a group of teens, all of which attend Manila High School, that have been drinking and binge drinking alcohol. This is very concerning to me as a law enforcement officer and grandparent of a teenage girl attending this school. There seems to be a couple different ways that these teens are obtaining alcohol. Please remember the legal age to possess and/or drink alcohol in the state of Utah is 21 years of age.
I am not going to dwell on the developmental concerns with our young people but I am going to attach two laws that are often overlooked but should be known and taken seriously.
There may have been a time when it was considered “okay” to allow a teen to drink in their own home, with a parent or guardian. This is not okay and is against the law. The law for this has been attached to the bottom of this statement.
The other way that has been reported is that teens are obtaining alcohol in our area through burglary. Please remember that burglary, also known as breaking into another person's home, is a second degree felony and is punishable by up to 1-15 years in prison and up to a $10,000.00 fine. Reports state that several teens are breaking into summer homes to obtain the alcohol they are consuming. This could be very dangerous if the homeowner were home at the time of the burglary, which could result in a confrontation causing serious injury or death.
I bring this to your attention, not to point fingers or make accusations but to enlighten parents as to a growing problem in our community, which some say is at epidemic proportions. It has also been said that these teens are driving while under the influence of alcohol.
I do not want to have to tell a parent that their child has died from an alcohol related incident. With your help and awareness we can curb this issue and keep our children and community safe. As always if you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at ebailey@daggettcounty.org or you can call the Sheriff’s Office at 435-784-3255.
Please Help the sheriff’s office make a difference.
Thank you,
Erik L. Bailey
“Contributing to the delinquency of a Minor”
According to Utah Code § 76-10-2301, contributing to the delinquency of a minor is when someone encourages a child to break any federal or state law, county or municipal ordinance, or court order. This includes any adult who commits an act that they know or should know will cause a minor to commit a misdemeanor or infraction. The child's actions do not need to be serious, even if they are an infraction. For example, if a child is encouraged or induced to commit an infraction, the adult is still considered to be contributing to the child's delinquency.
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a class b misdemeanor, and if convicted, is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to a $1,000.00. It can also affect a person's position in custody or visitation disputes, and remains on their criminal record.
“Sale, offer or furnish alcohol to a minor”
According to Utah Code 32B-4-403, A person may not sell, offer for sale, or furnish alcoholic products to a minor. Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person is guilty of a class B misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to a $1,000.00 fine. If the person who violates Subsection (1) negligently or recklessly fails to determine whether the recipient of the alcoholic product is a minor.