The Athens County Municipal Court’s Underage Drinker’s Diversion Program is designed for first time offenders charged with underage possession of an alcoholic beverage, underage consumption of an alcoholic beverage, possession of an open container, false identification or disorderly conduct by intoxication. The program is an opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction. There are five elements necessary for the successful completion of this program.   They are:  education, community service, a reading assignment, payment of fines and costs, and a 90 day period of good behavior.

The opportunity to enter the program is offered at arraignment. At that time, you are provided with a diversion contract, community service timesheet and information about the available alcohol classes. Upon acceptance into the program, you are given a court date (referred to as a diversion date or enforcement date) 90 days later. You are expected to have all elements of the program completed before that date.  If the clerk receives all the documentation and fees in a timely manner, then you do not have to appear in court on the enforcement date. Upon successful completion, the case is dismissed and quickly expunged.