Increasing penalties for alcohol related crimes

A top Pennsylvania State Senate Republican wants to increase fines for drinking-related offenses. Fines for underage drinking and public drunkenness haven’t been raised since 1972.

A top Pennsylvania State Senate Republican wants to increase fines for drinking-related offenses.

Fines for underage drinking and public drunkenness haven’t been raised since 1972.

Centre County Republican Jake Corman wants to increase penalties to a thousand dollars, as well as up a third offense for underage drinking to a third-degree misdemeanor penalty.

Corman says stiffer consequences may keep teens from drinking.

“To hopefully act as a little bit of a deterrent to these young people. To say, you know, if I do A, B or C, I can get a thousand dollar fine. That’s a big chunk. I don’t think I want to do that. So hopefully that can act as a deterrent.”

The president of Penn State University’s Interfraternity Council expressed skepticism during a recent hearing at State College, saying teens aren’t thinking about fines when they decide to drink.

Logistically, it’s too late in this year’s legislative session for the newly-introduced bills to become law.

A member of Corman’s staff says the lawmaker is hoping to lay the groundwork for the measures to pass next year.