Warriors of the campus court, read this!
Law Read-Off is a series where I decide to read some of the RCWs, along with the reading date, and give you some insight from experience as to what each code means and how it can apply to you. Today we will be discussing the fervors and fermentation of statutes concerning possession of Alcohol, consumption, purchasing, and how all of that “nectar of the gods” could affect your reputation, or even worse: your longevity.
The timestamp that I am reading these laws is at September 5th, 2016 7:01 PM. The RCW 66.44.270 says the following:
“(1) It is unlawful for any person to sell, give, or otherwise supply liquor to any person under the age of twenty-one years or permit any person under that age to consume liquor on his or her premises or on any premises under his or her control. For the purposes of this subsection, "premises" includes real property, houses, buildings, and other structures, and motor vehicles and watercraft. A violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided for in chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(2)(a) It is unlawful for any person under the age of twenty-one years to possess, consume, or otherwise acquire any liquor. A violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided for in chapter 9A.20 RCW…”
To the average human being, that must look like a lot of tricky wording, but let me explain from my perspective what this is: your one chance at maintaining those scholarships and your friends. That one chance of being able to see your Admissions Counselor and grab a cup of coffee with them, or to work that on-campus job at a standard wage-per-hour. This could mean walking up to the sound of teammates cheering on others as they role a large tire through the main commons while chanting “I believe that we will win” to the morning rhythm.
In spite of this: the bottle cap was thrown away along with the longevity and ecstatic environment of college life. Instead, the chariot did ride through the flames and the cart was wheeled into the euphoria of the eternal light. Voices of uncertainty were livid and grazed by the cold progression into the light. Sleep everlasting was reached by the cold progression. The cold progression freezing - the phonemes disintegrate into morphemes, and then an unconscious twitch to mark the silence.
But, the twitch reverberates across the entire body and forces the energy back down to the mass, and our subject wakes up to the Criminal Prosecutor and a prison sentence of rape, manslaughter, public exposure, but worst of all minor-in-possession. The bars never felt more welcoming, unlike the one stocked with fermentation and life trial. In the cell though, the conditions bring back the same cold progression, lethargically freezing, until all is reduced. Along with the parties burns the reputation of all involved into charred hopes and dreams.
As we start off the collegiate year, please take the time to consider all of the outcomes of the consumption of certain drinks: whether it be water or mystery punch. I am not an opponent of alcohol use: but I am an opponent of crime. Use caution, but enjoy your life and time at your institution.
Always a pleasure. Venture forth, Citizens of Justice!
