Drinking on Sarasota Sidewalks Could Cost You
If you drink on New Year's Eve with an open container on Sarasota streets and sidewalks, you could be ordered to pay more than $300 if you plead guilty or no contest at the time of arrest.
Sarasota's court system sees fit that drinking on the streets can be such a problem on New Year's Eve and a problem for the court system handling the cases, the law is giving you the option to plead guilty on the spot and agree to a $308 fine. "New Year[']s Eve celebration has traditionally been celebrated with a substantial use of alcoholic beverages," wrote Lee Haworth, the acting chief judge for the 12th Judicial Circuit. "It is expected that this will have an impact on the world load of law enforcement, judges, clerk of the court and other staff. Assuming these cases were processed in the ordinary manner, the cost to county citizens would be substantial and far outweigh any benefits. "Processing such cases would also interfere with the…
sharon kilama
9:26 am on Saturday, January 7, 2012
Agreed, I don't drink anymore. I used to with my gf when we went out after work. Quit w my pregnancy in 1987. I have just as good a time w/out alcohol as I did when I did drink. Maybe more, I can remember the good time! Drink at home or at a bar. Why ruin the celebration for non drinkers? more ›