Underage drinking charges dropped for SG teens

From the Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Underage drinking charges dropped for SG teens
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

SPRING GROVE – Charges were dropped Wednesday against at least seven teens who pleaded guilty to underage drinking at a February barn party in Spring Grove.

The dropped charges were part of a July deal involving good behavior, alcohol awareness classes, community service, and a monetary contribution to CrimeStoppers or Students Against Drunk Driving.

"The village made the decision to have the prosecution agreement, and the kids did what they were asked to do," said Mary Spiegel, village prosecutor. "That's what you like to see, both parties following what they agreed to do."

The teens were among 58 teens who were arrested after Spring Grove police discovered a barn party at 7119 S. Solon Road. Of the 58 teens, 22 were charged with underage drinking. The party host, an 18-year-old male from Spring Grove, was charged with underage possession of alcohol and allowing underage persons to consume alcohol.

Many of the teens pleaded guilty to the charges and subsequently received three-month driver’s license suspensions, as updated state law requires. However, neither Spring Grove Police Chief Tom Sanders nor the teens and their attorneys were aware the guilty plea meant license suspensions, so some of the teens were allowed to rescind their March guilty pleas in July.

The village agreed to drop the charges against some of the teens if they were first-time offenders, didn't receive any new arrests of any kind, registered for and completed 10 hours of alcohol awareness and education classes, completed 20 hours of public service work, and made a $50 contribution, Spiegel said.

"You can't help but learn when you have to take a 10-hour alcohol awareness class," Spiegel said.

Underage drinking charges were dropped against at least seven of the teens in McHenry Branch Court Wednesday, and against the party host. In August, charges also were dropped against at least one teen charged with underage drinking.

Charges against one teen were not dropped because he did not complete the terms of the agreement, Spiegel said. However, she said the number of other teens who kept their side of the agreement showed the deal was effective.

"The fact that so many kids ... complied with the strict terms of the agreement shows it was a success," she said.