Municipal Court June 6th, 2012
by Jacob Batte
Jeffrey Parker, a minor, was put under trial Wednesday after being charged with furnishing beer or alcohol to a minor and disturbing the peace.
According to arresting officer Hardie Meeks, Parker threw a house party at his Aunt’s house on February 6th of this year. Meeks said during the trial that he got a call about a noise complaint coming from a house in a local neighborhood. Meeks said he did not even have to check the address of the house because he could hear the music from several houses away.
Upon arrival Meeks looked inside the house and saw several “young people” holding either beer bottles or beer cans. Meeks went around back and saw the same thing in the back yard.
Meeks testified that when he asked who was the owner of the house, nobody replied initially. Eventually Parker spoke up, Meeks said, and admitted that this was his Aunt’s house.
Meeks then called Parker’s Aunt, who told the officer she was unaware of any such party and that she had not given her nephew permission to use her house. According to Meeks, the Aunt then asked the officer to clear out her house. Meeks did so, but not before checking the drivers licenses of all those in attendance. Meeks said every person at the party was under age.
Meeks then asked who furnished the alcohol, and like before, nobody spoke up. Eventually, Parker came forward and said that this was his party, therefore he was going to take responsibility. Another girl also came forward. Neither told the officer where they acquired their alcohol.
After letting everyone leave, Meeks kept behind Parker and another minor who was giving Parker a ride, to pour out the alcohol. Meeks said the two poured out “about 60” containers of beer and “approximately three or four” handles of liquor. This is not counting the already empty beer containers.
Judge Larry Little said he understood each side’s argument, but when someone takes a responsibility of a house party full of minors they are responsible for what they are drinking as well, finding Parker guilty.
Parker plead guilty to disturbing the peace. His total fine is $934.
Also on the Docket
-Alford, Cara L
No Drivers License
$215 fine
-Bain, Nicholas R.
Running a redlight
$162 fine
-Bobo, Mary B
DUI (refulsal) with Arrest/Noise Violation-Vehicle/Overloaded Vehicle with Arrest
$1,521 fine
-Bobo, Robert Eager
Public Drunkeness
$267 fine
-Camp, Bradley H.
Failure to obey the lawful command of a police officer/DUI(1st offense) with arrest/Running a stop sign with arrest/careless driving with arrest/Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle with arrest
$1,896 fine
-Cross, Larry Kirk
Possession of Paraphenalia
$264 fine
-Curry, Cal Dandrea
Possession of Paraphenalia
$264 fine
-Davis, Corey L.
DUI (1st offense) with arrest
$1,089 fine
-Davis, Katherine
Disorderly conduct/Public Drunkenness
$534 fine
-Hess, Harrison Kellen
Public Drunkenness
$267 fine
-Holmes, William A
Possession of Paraphenalia
$264 fine
-Jobe, Andrew Thomas
Running a redlight/ DUI (1ST offense)
$1,254 fine
-Leonard, Stephanie Louise
DUI (1st offense)/Resisting arrest
$1,440
