Braintree May Issue Non-Criminal Fines for Teen Drinking

BRAINTREE, MA - Braintree officials are mulling a proposal that could allow police to issue a fine for underage drinking rather than criminal charges.

Wednesday, Police Chief Russell Jenkins said that interim Town Solicitor Carolyn Murray has drafted a proposal according to the Patriot Ledger. The announcement came at a meeting of the town council’s special committee on the opioid epidemic.

The town is waiting for the Attorney General's office to rule on a similar Duxbury town by-law approved at town meeting before moving ahead with their own policy.

If approved, the fine would be $150 for the first offense and $300 for any future offenses. People between the ages of 18 to 21 would be exempt for transporting alcohol as part of their job.