Intervention Principles and Practice Guidelines for - Underage ...

Depending upon how the system operates in a specific jurisdiction a probation officer, a prosecutor,
or perhaps jail/juvenile detention personnel will decide whether a young person drinking underage
needs to be detained, released from custody, or transported to a medical facility. This decision may be
based on:
• If the young person is a minor with regard to underage drinking laws but legally an adult for
other purposes;
• If the young person has more severe charges in conjunction with the underage drinking
offenses;
• If the young person is considered to be a danger to him/herself or the community if released;
or
• If the young person is likely to return for future court appearances if ordered.
If a decision is made to keep the juvenile or young adult in custody, then the case will likely proceed
to formal processing through the court. In the event of a very serious offense involving underage
drinking, and depending on the age of the offender and other crimes involved, juvenile cases might
even be waived to a criminal (adult) court at this time. If, on the other hand, the young person does
not need to be detained or receive medical attention, or can be released from detention, then other
immediate decisions regarding the most appropriate system-level response will need to be determined.
Remember, Principle 2 that was discussed in the preceding section (see pages [insert page numbers
here]) requires that responses by the justice system as a whole and by community supervision agencies
in general should involve making the least restrictive response to youth that will ensure public safety. In
determining the type of action that would best benefit the offender and protect the public, therefore, it
seems the reasonable alternatives are further case involvement in the justice system (e.g., adjudication,
supervised probation) or minimal involvement such as payment of a fine, informal probation, or
participation in a diversion program.
Once the decision is made about the most appropriate system-level response additional decisions
will need to be made about the most appropriate individual-level response, such as a fine, restitution,
community service, substance abuse assessment, educational classes, or treatment for the young
offender. To make good decisions at this point community corrections professionals will need to gather
information to establish a suitable case plan and/or supervision strategy. The processes of screening,
assessing, and making decisions about underage drinking offenders are multifaceted and require skills
and resources among justice personnel as well as other professionals (e.g., substance abuse treatment
professionals, mental health service providers, school personnel) in the community. Community
corrections professionals, however, often function as the primary facilitator for the collection, synthesis,
and utilization of pertinent information to help make determinations and/or help assure the underagedrinking
offender will benefit from interventions imposed upon him or her.
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