It shall be unlawful for any person under the
legal age who, without legal authority as hereinafter defined, knowingly
possesses or knowingly consumes an alcoholic beverage on private property.
A person under the legal age shall be deemed
to possess or consume an alcoholic beverage without legal authority
if said possession or consumption is not in connection with any of
the following:
A. In connection with a religious observance, ceremony
or rite; or
B. In the presence of and with the permission of a parent,
guardian or relative who has attained the legal age to purchase and
consume alcoholic beverages; or
C. By any such person while actually engaged in the performance
of employment by a person licensed under Title 33 (the Alcoholic Beverage
Law) or while actively engaged in the preparation of food while enrolled
in a culinary arts or hotel management program at a county vocational
or post secondary educational institution.
As used in §
65-15 of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
GUARDIAN
A person who has qualified as a guardian of the underaged
person pursuant to testamentary or court appointment.
RELATIVE
The underaged person's grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling
or any other person related by blood or affinity.
A violation of this article shall be punishable
by a fine of $250 for the first offense and $350 for any subsequent
offense. In addition to any fine imposed, the court may suspend or
postpone for six months the driving privilege of the defendant in
accordance with the procedures set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:48-1, as amended.