Kenosha County Underage Drinking Accountability Program

A youth who has been issued a 1st citation for underage drinking in the city of Kenosha or Kenosha County has the option of participating in the Underage Drinking Accountability Program (UDAP). This program is an alternative to paying the citation and ancillary effects of having an underage violation on one's record, which could include:

• Suspension of the driver's license for up to 90 days. If the youth does not hold a valid driver's license, the license suspension will be in effect upon initial or renewed application;
• Reinstatement fee for driver’s license after suspension;
• Increased insurance rates;
• Reduced opportunities for school and scholarships.

Upon receiving the citation, the youth has 3 options:

• Forfeiture (not showing up for court) or a guilty plea, which will result in a fine up to $249.00 or more and a driver’s license suspension for up to 90 days.
• A plea of not guilty and a request for a trial. If the outcome of the trial is a finding of guilt, the court will impose a monetary fine plus suspension of the driver's license for up to 90 days.
• Ask to enter the Underage Drinking Accountability Program. Follow all instructions listed on the citation regarding making a plea to the court. DO NOT THINK THAT BY REGISTERING FOR THE CLASS THAT YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS WITH THE COURTS. YOU MUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON YOUR CITATION REGARDING YOUR COURT OBLIGATIONS. You MUST appear at your initial court date PRIOR to contacting the Hope Council.

The Underage Drinking Accountability Program requirements are:

• Full participation in eight (8) hours of educational programming
• Receipt of no additional underage drinking citations 12 months following initial citation.
• Payment of all related costs for the program, currently totaling $150.
• As of January 1, 2011, each student attending the class will be required to complete an assessment during the class period. This assessment will be scored and if the results for the individual indicate abuse or dependence, the student will need to make a follow up appointment with our assessor to further discuss the results of the assessment. The fee for this appointment is $50.00, and the follow up appointment must be completed before the student's return-to-court date as part of the requirement to get the citation dismissed.
• Complete the course within 6 months of receiving your citation
• Recognize that this program is for FIRST OFFENDERS - if you have ever received an underage drinking citation anywhere in the U.S., you are not eligible for this program

In the Underage Drinking Accountability Program, youth will participate in discussions and activities led by a facilitator. These activities are designed to educate the participants about risk behaviors, alcoholism and other drug addiction, and influences, tolerance and prevention of substance abuse. In addition, participants will engage in reflection on their usage and/or risk behaviors as well as prepare plans to reinforce abstinence and reduce further risk behaviors.

The Underage Drinking Accountability Program is designed to reinforce with underage drinkers the negative consequences that result from choosing to drink while underage. The program attempts to change behaviors of young people in order to reduce further risky behaviors. Please realize that the program is attempting to keep youth and young adults safe; it is not meant to be punitive. The intent of the program is to make a positive change on startling statistics such as:

• The three leading causes of death for 15-24 year olds are automobile crashes, homicides and suicides. Alcohol is a leading factor in all three.
• Each year, approximately 5,000 youth die as a result of underage drinking.
• Ninety percent of all reported campus rapes occur when alcohol is being used by either the assailant or the victim

The Underage Drinking Accountability Program educational component is eight (8) hours in length. A variety of class times is offered in order to work with varied schedules.

The current classes (and the location) being offered are:
- Saturday, February 25, 2012 & Sunday, February 26, 2012 12:00pm - 4:00pm (Must attend both days) @ Hope Council

- Saturday, March 24, 2012 & Sunday, March 25, 2012 12:00pm - 4:00pm (Must attend both days) @ Hope Council

- Saturday, April 28, 2012 & Sunday, April 29, 2012 12:00pm - 4:00pm (Must attend both days) @ Hope Council

Space is limited, so please register early. Registration AND payment MUST be received prior to the day of the class. Payment WILL NOT be accepted on the day of class.

To enroll in the Underage Drinking Accountability Program, please submit a check or money order for $150 payable to Hope Council along with this intake form completed and send it to:

Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, Inc.
5942-6th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140-3703

If you have a return-to-court date before the class and are concerned about taking a class that is past your 2nd court date, you may be able to get an extension on your court date by calling the court that handled your citation (it is up to the court).

For reference:
District Attorney's Office- 262-653-2400
Clerk of Courts Office- 262-653-2664
Kenosha Municipal Court- 262-653-4220
Twin Lakes Municipal Court- 262-877-2269

Download your Underage Accountability Program satisfaction survey here!

If you have additional questions about the Underage Drinking Accountability Program, please contact Abigail Wincek at 262.658.8166 ext.22 or Abigail@hopecouncil.org