Drinks in prom limo.?
My friends are being so stupid. We have rented a limo for prom night, and they want to sneak drinks on board.
I will never drink, and I don’t feel like losing my prom night when the cops come and check the car and having the driver arrested and not being able to get to the damn prom place. And being STRANDED.
Their little ‘plan’ is to have the drinks in the girl’s purses.
Can the cops check bags if they suspect under aged drinking?
I’m eighteen, just turned this age, and I don’t feel like getting ARRESTED. >< They just won’t listen to me.
I live in NYC, please explain the laws and if searching and seizure is allowed. I need help with this. ]:
7 Responses
ornery and mean
11 Mar 2010
Dave87gn
11 Mar 2010
nobody is going to bother you…but if it is a worry, tell them to drink at the before party
Victoria C
11 Mar 2010
YES. 125 students were ‘kicked out’ of my school’s prom because one limo driver tipped it off to the cops that they hAd some drinks. 8 other limos were searched and ALL students were not allowed to enter prom, regardless of they posessed any alcohol or had any in their system. It made national news and is one of the most humilating things that has ever happened in my community. Tell your friends not to make the same mistake! You will have to suffer the consequences of your friends stupid plan even if you have nothing to do with it.
Eric
11 Mar 2010
It sounds like the stress of the alcohol is already ruining prom for you. Ask your friends to reconsider their plan.
On a side note, alcohol can be transported and consumed in limos, when you’re of age. Its a special stipulation in vehicle code to allow it. After all, that’s what limos are for.
Thumbelina
11 Mar 2010
If they have a check point set up the police can check the vehicle and everyone in it for id if they suspect alcohol. Most states now have these for holidays that people tend to drink and nights like prom and graduation. Also if the limo driver suspects illegal activities such as underage drinking in the car he can refuse service
FrogMiller
11 Mar 2010
Thanks for your posting. The police can check bags if they have an articulable suspicion that a crime has occurred or is occurring. (This is called "Probable Cause"). More commonly, they ask for you to consent to search purses (most people don’t say no).
If you’re underage, this is really not a good idea at all, especially since you’re in a moving vehicle, and the driver is taking a risk as well.
CD
11 Mar 2010
Yes, if the police believe you are in possession of alcohol and underage, they can look anywhere alcohol can be hidden to determine if you have it or not. There is nothing illegal about this kind of search. My adviceis pick different friends so you don’t get into trouble.
Since you are apparently hiring a professional limo driver/service … they will be somewhat protected, unless they furnished the alcohol!
The limo driver will be released, the limo will be released (although their business license might get revoked for "furnishing the venue for under aged drinking"). You and your friends will most likely NOT be released … MIP citations all around, public intoxication citations where it applies!
Any limo driver worth his commercial driver’s license will "rat you out"! They will become the complainant … you will be the accused. Based on the driver’s statements the police will have probable cause to affect an arrest … and a full inventory of the possessions of the accused [you and your friends], anyone caught "holding" will be arrested [even if they are "holding" alcohol in their system].
Ask yourself this one question … "Do I want to "get a ride home from my prom" from my parents … after they picked me up from a police station?" I don’t think the answer will be "yes"!