A Halloween Scare: ALE and What to Do

Halloween is one of the top drinking holidays for college students so as Halloween comes up, the costumes are coming out along with the shot glasses and solo cups. So as you prepare for your Halloween festivities, keep in mind a Halloween fright you do not want to encounter.   
 
Many of you have heard of them, some have even met them, others may not even be aware of their existence. They are undercover and blend in with the crowd but they still have an unnerving presence at Shooters and now other places like Devine’s too. You know who I am talking about. 

 
That’s right. I am talking about ALE, a division of the Department of Crime Control and Public safety. ALE puts a major emphasis on catching underage drinking, alcohol consumption, and purchase. They are frequently sighted giving citations for fake IDs, underage drinking, and open container violations. Last year, there was talk about ALE getting cut from the state budget. This is no longer true; it has been decided that ALE is here to stay (http://theeastcarolinian.com/?p=799).
 
Before I get into what to do if you have a run-in with ALE, I want to remind you that Her Campus Duke does not support underage alcohol consumption, the use of fake IDs, or breaking the law. But, let’s be real, we are in college and a good number of students do drink underage or own fakes. So if you are unfortunate enough to meet one of ALE’s 112 agents, then here are some things to keep in mind.
 
During your citing:

1. Do not run. Those Lady Gaga heels that you’re rocking on Halloween probably won’t allow for a quick (or graceful) exit.
2. Do not lie. Sometimes you think that you are really clever by hiding your vodka-scented breath with gum, but your slurred words or your inability to avoid tripping gives it away. Remember, they are sober and you are not. Also, it may help keep you out of any more trouble and the agent may be nicer.
3. Keep your cool. Chances are the cop doesn’t care if this will affect your chances in obtaining a job or applying to medical schools. If anything, it will just give away how truly intoxicated you are and well, that never helps.

 
Before Court:

1. Use your resources. As Duke students, we are able to schedule free twenty minute consultations and speak with a lawyer. This isn’t the solution to your problems but this is definitely a great first step.  This is a very helpful resource so make sure to go prepared with some questions. http://gpsc.duke.edu/programs/student-legal-services/
2. Decide if you need a lawyer. If this is your first charge in North Carolina, you probably will not need one. But, this also depends on how extreme the crime is. If this is your second or third charge in NC, then you may want to seek a lawyer. You also may consider getting a lawyer later to expunge this charge off your record. What is this word ‘expunge’? Basically, in NC, you are allowed to remove one of your charges off your record. But, this charge must be dropped, which will most likely happen if this is your first charge.  
3.  If you do not want your parents finding out about your citation, reroute your mail. Apparently, when you are cited with something, lawyers in the area will send letters to your permanent address offering their legal services. Not only do they offer their legal services, but they also bring to your parents’ attention that “someone at this residence has committed a crime in ­­Durham County.” (Yes, that is a direct quote from a letter.) So, if you think your parents will be less than understanding, you can go here to request a temporary change of address: https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/icoa-main-flow.do?execution=e1s1.

 
After Court:

1. Expunge your charge! You will want to start this as soon as possible. This process can take up to six months, so make sure it does not get in your way of getting that summer internship or your dream job. After all of your hard work, it would be a shame to see your resume get tainted by one night.

 
So this Halloween weekend, make sure to stay safe and be aware of who may be watching. Have fun and Happy Halloween!