Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. It provides a general overview of the process based on the experiences of others, but every case is unique. If you have been cited for an alcohol-related offense, you should consult with a qualified attorney to understand your rights and legal options before making any decisions.

Ah, the Penn State rite of passage, getting caught with a drink in hand.

Whether it was a sting operation at the local Sheetz, a particularly grumpy cop, or just the wrong place at the wrong time, you’re now being charged with a crime. Welcome to the world of underage possession tickets and other alcohol-related offenses.

Before you panic, delete your social media, and consider fleeing to Mexico, take a deep breath. You’re not the first Penn Stater to go through this, and you definitely won’t be the last. The good news? There’s a process in place, and if you handle things correctly, this won’t be the end of the world (or your college career). Here’s what you need to know.

So, you’ve just been detained by the police and ultimately issued a citation either physically or are told one will come to you in the mail. Do. Not. Panic.

Hundreds of students are cited each year for the exact same offenses, so don’t feel like your life is over. These citations can include:

• Purchase, consumption, possession, or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages. – Pa. C.S. § 6308 (Summary Offense)
• Carrying an Open Container in Public – State College Borough Ordinance § 5-802 (Ordinance Violation)
• Carrying or using a false identification card – 18 Pa. C.S. § 6310.3 (Summary Offense)
• Public Drunkenness – 18 Pa. C.S. § 5505 (Summary Offense)
• Selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors – 18 Pa. C.S. § 6310.1 (Misdemeanor)

In most cases, these charges are given as “Non-Traffic, Summary Offenses,” essentially the same as the type of ticket you would receive for speeding on the highway. Be sure to check your citations or ask the officer which will apply.

What To Do Immediately After Receiving The Citation

First things first — don’t ignore it. That little ticket isn’t just a warning. It’s an official criminal citation. Failing to address it can lead to even bigger problems, like a warrant for your arrest.

• Read the citation carefully. It will tell you what charge you’re facing (likely underage possession, public drunkenness, or disorderly conduct) and what your next steps are.
• Know your court date. Your citation will list a court appearance or indicate that you need to respond by mail.
• If you were issued a breathalyzer test, remember the result. This may be relevant later if you choose to fight the charge.

After that, your next step should be to find representation. One massive perk of being a student is all Penn Staters are entitled to free legal representation by Student Legal Services. Head to their website and fill out their form to set up an appointment with a lawyer. These lawyers are professional, confidential, and experienced. They will be able to instruct you on what to do next.

The Legal Process: What to Expect

After meeting with a lawyer they will likely explain the full process to you, but here’s a breakdown of what happens next:

1. You’ll receive a court summons. This will tell you when and where to appear or give instructions on how to pay the fine if you choose to plead guilty.
   • In all cases with a misdemeanor or above, after receiving your summons, you will have to take a trip to the Centre County Jail to be fingerprinted and have your photo taken. While this may sound unpleasant, it’s part of the process and at the end of it, you can usually have the information deleted.
2. You will have to have an arraignment in court for a misdemeanor. This is where you will enter a plea in front of a magisterial district judge. Where you were arrested will determine which judge you’re to appear before, and that information will usually appear on your citation.
   • Keep in mind throughout this that these aren’t the crimes of the century, and these judges see hundreds of these cases throughout the year. You should not be concerned about facing extreme penalties. Your lawyer will be able to explain more details specific to your case.
3. You may be eligible for a pre-adjudication program. If this is your first offense and you were cooperative with law enforcement during the incident, you are likely to be referred to complete an alcohol education course and community service in exchange for the charge being dismissed. These programs are called Youthful Offenders Programs (YOPs), and you should be sure to ask your lawyer about them.
   • This is likely your best-case scenario. Depending on the circumstances, community service and an in-person class are usually offered in exchange for the charges being dropped. It’s important to remember that often a condition of this agreement is that if you fail to complete the class and/or community service, you will be found immediately guilty and will have to pay all fines.
4. After the process, you will have to pay fines and court costs. Assuming your charges are summary offenses, the most likely outcome will involve you paying some fines. These can vary on the number of charges and the severity but for most cases, you can expect to pay around $100 to $300 to the court.
5. However, if you plead guilty or are convicted, you’ll face penalties. These could include fines, court fees, and (depending on the charge) a suspension of your driver’s license.
   • In most cases, this is unlikely unless you choose to fight the charge in court. Most students are advised not to do this as these cases are usually slam dunks by law enforcement as they usually have all the evidence they need once the citation is issued.

The School Process & What To Expect

If you’re cited for an alcohol-related offense in State College or on campus, Penn State will likely find out. Local law enforcement, including the State College Police Department and Penn State University Police, routinely share citation and arrest information with the university. That means even if you handle your legal case, you might still have to go through Penn State’s Office of Student Accountability & Conflict Response (OSACR) for additional consequences.

Once Penn State is notified of your citation, you’ll typically receive an email from OSACR outlining the next steps. Here’s what you can expect.

Notification & Meeting Request

• You’ll be asked to attend a preliminary conference with a university official. This is your chance to explain what happened and discuss potential consequences.
• If it’s your first minor offense (like underage drinking or public drunkenness), you may qualify for an informal resolution, meaning you won’t need a full conduct hearing.
• If you believe the university’s decision is unfair, you can enter an appeals process based on procedural errors, new evidence, or overly harsh sanctions. Appeals must be submitted within five business days of your case decision.

Possible University Sanctions

Depending on the severity of the charge and whether you have prior offenses, Penn State may impose:

• A formal warning for minor first-time offenses.
• BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students) – A two-session program that helps students reflect on their drinking habits and reduce risky behaviors.
  • This is your most likely outcome. Unfortunately, this program comes at a cost to you and ranges in price from $100 to $250.
• AOD (Alcohol & Other Drugs) Sanctions Program – A broader education program for more serious offenses or repeat violations.
• Parental notification – If you’re under 21, Penn State may notify your parents about the violation.
• Housing probation or removal from on-campus housing if the incident occurred in a residence hall.
• Suspension or expulsion, though this is rare and typically reserved for repeat offenses or serious charges like severe incidents furnishing alcohol to minors or DUI.

Long-Term Impacts & How to Move Forward

A single incident of alcohol offense(s) won’t define your life, but it can cause some headaches. If you’re worried about background checks for jobs or grad school, you may want to look into expungement, which can remove the charge from your record after a certain period of time or upon the charges being dropped. This process can be expensive, however, as fees can be up to $300 per charge expungement. Keep in mind Pennsylvania employers cannot take into account summary offenses for hiring decisions, and similar laws are in place in many other states.

Resources & Where to Get Help

• Penn State Student Legal Services – Offers free legal advice to students.
• Centre County ARD Program – May allow first-time offenders to avoid a conviction.
• Pennsylvania Expungement Law – Can help clear records for eligible cases.
• Local Attorneys – If you need legal representation, finding a lawyer familiar with State College laws is a smart move.

The most important aspect of this process is to remain calm. Understand that this incident isn’t the end of the world. Hundreds of students go through it each year, and your case isn’t likely unique in any way. You aren’t alone.