2 South Carolina judges challenge drinking age
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Debate lingers over whether to lower the drinking...
Judges in Aiken and Richland Counties ruled that state laws barring the possession of alcohol for people older than 18 are unconstitutional. If it passes the appeals court, the laws could change....Published: August 3, 2009
Judges in Aiken and Richland counties have ruled that the state law prohibiting consumption and possession of alcohol to people 18-year-old and older is unconstitutional.
Aiken County Chief Magistrate Rodger Edmunds and Richland County Magistrate Mel Maurer both have decisions facing circuit appeals that challenge the alcohol rules. Both find that state law allows all rights to adults starting at age 18 and the only restriction is purchasing alcohol.
If their rulings stand it could mean people 18 and older can possess alcohol and drink it legally, but they still would not be able to buy it. But while a decision is yet to pass the court of appeals, it’s getting mixed reviews in the court of public opinion.
“I think people my age might drink less because the fun of breaking the law is gone,“ says Jessica Reyes, an incoming freshmen at the College of Charleston. Fellow freshmen April Pineda is worried her peers would make bad decisions, “It could mean more people drink and drive.“
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