Girl Faces High School Expulsion After Touching Cup of Beer

by Josh Guckert

A 17-year-old high school cheerleader is facing the possibility of expulsion after moving a plastic cup of beer during a tailgate before an NFL game. The incident took place in Jacksonville prior to the Jaguars’ opening day match-up against the Green Bay Packers. When the girl went to be with some friends, she used her hand to move a cup on a beer pong table. Seconds later, she was surrounded by agents.

According to the girl’s attorney, the agent then threatened the girl. He told her that she could admit guilt by signing a citation or instead spend 72 hours in jail. She signed the document, while indicating that she was under duress. Her school was contacted within 24 hours of her signing. The school discussed taking her off the cheerleading team and suspending her from school.

As the attorney discusses, this incident brings light to a broader issue.

If I take my son to Publix, and tell him to get a six-pack of beer for me and put it in the cart for me, he’s committing a crime? And he said, ‘yes.’ Obviously, it’s meant for good purposes. We don’t want our minors out there possessing and drinking alcohol. But it’s not meant for something like this. Picking up a cup and moving it on a table? The law does have some common sense. Apparently, there are some police officers that don’t.

News4Jax reports that the family could go to teen court or get rid of the charge by subjecting her to sanctions in teen court. They could also tell the state attorney that they won’t agree to teen court and she could be charged. Then, there would be a trial to prove that the girl committed a crime. If charged, it could remain on her record for the rest of her life.

Libertarians maintain a significant aversion to victimless crimes. While lovers of liberty may differ on underage drinking laws and their efficacy, few would disagree that the present case is a significant perversion of the law in order to advance a quasi-police state. Hopefully, the authorities in this instance understand the folly of their reasoning and allow this girl to continue on with her life.