Does State College Prohibit Open Containers?
YES. (With one exception- keep reading!) The Borough of State College, Pennsylvania prohibits open containers under borough ordinance, Chapter V Conduct, Part C, Liquor Control, Section 302, which states:
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess an open container of alcoholic beverage on any public street, public sidewalk, public alley or public park within the Municipality, except for persons located within or on a moving vehicle being operated on such street or alley. Possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage by any person in or on a vehicle parked on any public street or alley is unlawful.
This ordinance was recently amended to increase the fines for carrying an open container in public, which had been set in the amount of $100 to $600, and which will now be not less than $250.00 for the first offense; $500.00 for the second offense; and not less than $1,000.00 for any subsequent offenses in any 120-day period plus the cost of prosecution or, in default of payment of such fine and costs, to undergo imprisonment for not more than 30 days. A copy of the amended ordinances has been posted to our website. Amending Fines of Various Sections to Reflect the Costs of Enforcement and Processing
BOROUGH WAIVES OPEN CONTAINER LAW
At the December 21st borough council meeting, council approved a proposal from festival organizers asking for the open container ordinance to be waived for the Downtown State College Improvement District’s Summers Best Music Festival to be held on June 3 and 4, 2016. This waiver was approved as a pilot program, and will be reviewed after the event to determine its success- those for and against the proposal will surely be watching carefully!
If you or someone you know is being charged with an alcohol related crime, please contact the Mazza Law Group. One of our experienced attorneys can help you protect your rights.
Does State College Prohibit Open Containers? was last modified: February 9th, 2016 by Helen Stolinas