Three counties in southeastern Pennsylvania were among the top 10 highest percentages in the state for underage drinking offenses filed from 2020 to 2024.
Chester County had about 8% of the total retail underage drinking charges filed during that period, according to data released by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
Montgomery County had about 4% of the state total during that time, and Delaware County had about 3%.
Over the past five years, underage drinking offenses in Pennsylvania totaled 30,393. (Courtesy of Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts)
Over the past five years, underage drinking offenses statewide totaled 30,393, court officials said.
In Pennsylvania, an underage drinking offense is committed by anyone under the age of
21 who is caught possessing, consuming, transporting, purchasing or attempting to purchase any alcoholic beverage. These numbers do not include driving under the influence offenses.
The top counties in the state:
• Centre: 3,286 offenses; 10.81% of state total.
• Chester: 2,557; 8.41%.
• Allegheny; 2,380; 7.83%.
• Philadelphia:1,277; 4.2%.
• Montgomery:1,266; 4.17%.
• Dauphin: 1,090; 3.59%.
• Cumberland: 1,057; 3.48%.
• Delaware: 994; 3.27%.
• Washington: 920; 3.03%.
• York: 907; 2.98%.
Sullivan County had one offense during the five years. Forest County had seven, representing 0.02% of the state total.
A breakdown for counties in the region by year:
• Berks: 153 in 2020; 125 in 2021; 154 in 2022; 138 in 2023; 132 in 2024; 702 total offenses; 2.31%
• Chester: 259 in 2020; 489 in 2021; 552 in 2022; 567 in 2023; 654 in 2024; 2,557 total; 8.41%
• Delaware: 219 in 2020; 210 in 2021; 199 in 2022; 174 in 2023; 192 in 2024; 994 total; 3.27%
• Montgomery: 295 in 2020; 235 in 2021; 244 in 2022; 245 in 2023; 247 in 2024; 1,266 total; 4.17%
Court officials noted that more than $2 million was collected statewide in fines assessed in underage drinking convictions from 2020 to 2024.