Any person under the legal age to purchase alcoholic
beverages who knowingly possesses or consumes any alcoholic beverage
in or on any school property, public conveyance, public place or place
of public assembly or on private property shall be in violation of
this article. Upon conviction, such underage person shall be subject
to a fine of $250 for a first offense and $350 for any subsequent
offense; perform community service for a period not to exceed 180
days; at the discretion of the court, have a New Jersey driving privilege
suspended or postponed for six months; and, if considered necessary
by the court, be referred to an alcohol treatment program at the defendant's
expense.
This article shall not apply to persons under
the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages who possess or consume
alcoholic beverages on private property in the presence of and with
the permission of the parent or legal guardian of said person, provided
that said guardian is of the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages,
or if alcoholic beverage is being consumed in any religious observance,
ceremony, or rite. The article shall not apply to possession of an
alcoholic beverage by an underage person employed by an alcoholic
beverage licensee in the course of performing employment duties.