One of the frustrating parts of being a licensed retailer of alcoholic beverages can be the unequal enforcement of state laws designed to prevent illegal sales. In many jurisdictions, prosecutors penalize licensed retailers, but are less likely to follow through with charges against those who break the law by trying to illegally purchase beer, wine and spirits. This leaves somes business owners feeling that they don't have the support they need when trying to deter young people who are motivated and sometimes very creative in their efforts to get alcohol.
A new law adopted by Wisconsin is attempting to alter that equation - according to a LaCrosse Tribune news article:
Getting busted for underage drinking in Wisconsin just got a bit more expensive.
A measure known as the Brown Jug Bill was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Scott Walker, giving bar owners and other establishments that sell alcoholic beverages the ability to report underage drinkers to the police and then take them to court.
The underage drinker would then be required to pay the business owner $1,000 if found guilty. The fine would be in addition to the $250 to $1,000 underage drinking fine an individual would receive from law enforcement. Read the article from the LaCrosse Tribune.
