Juveniles charged following party

One adult involved may face more serious charges

By Olivia Lueckemeyer

Several local juveniles issued citations following a Meridian Lake party busted by Mt. Crested Butte Police on New Year’s Eve appeared in county court on Wednesday, January 27. Twenty-two minors were summoned to appear before a judge to be formally charged with “consumption/possession of ethyl alcohol by an underage person” (MIP). According to Gunnison County clerk of court Betsy Nesbitt, all minors were offered diversion, or programs to divert them from involvement in the juvenile justice system.

The terms of each diversion program will be decided on an individual basis, but all participants will be required to complete drug/alcohol screenings. Passing grades, acceptable behavior at school and compliance with rules and curfews at home will also be monitored. In some cases, drug/alcohol education and other life skills training may also be required.

Upon completion of the program, and on the condition that they do not violate the terms of their probation, there will be no type of juvenile court record.

“The idea is to have the youth be accountable and responsible for the offense and also determine if there are other needs or issues that may need attention,” director of juvenile services Janet Reinman wrote in a letter to the parents of the charged minors.

Standard contract agreements also include conditions such as completion of community service, a fee for the program, and an apology and restitution to any victim. Length of the program and amount of community service depends on the offense and the age of the youth. Twice monthly sessions and/or regular check-ins with a case manager are usually required until conditions are met.

Families of the charged juveniles, hailing from Gunnison County, Hinsdale County and outside of Colorado, were given a deadline of Wednesday, February 2 to accept or decline diversion. According to Reinman, as of Monday, February 1, 18 families had accepted diversion, two had declined and two had not yet responded. Cases of minors who declined diversion will be transferred back to the district attorney, who can decide to either file the case in county or district court or dismiss it.

Four adults between the ages of 18 and 22 were also cited with MIPs. According to district attorney Dan Hotsenpiller, two of the four have already entered plea deals, although the details have not been released. A request has been submitted to deputy district attorney Jessica Waggoner to prosecute one of the adults for offenses including contributing to the delinquency of minors and engaging in conduct that encourages a juvenile to break the law. Hotsenpiller noted that, barring unusual circumstances, the individual would most likely be issued a summons instead of an arrest warrant.