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Chippewa Commingling Law Challenged in Court



Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A 19 year old man is challenging the city's ban on commingling on Chippewa, the law that blocks 18 to 20 year olds from admission to nightclubs. His attorney says the city has overstepped its bounds.

Paul Cambria represents Collin Miller, who says he merely wants to patronize Chippewa Entertainment district spots, not drink alcohol. "His argument is, as an adult he can die for his country, he can elect the president, but the city wants to curtail where he can move freely as an adult in a lawful purpose," explains Cambria.

Part of the argument is there are already laws in place regulating age and admission. "The State Liquor already deals with sale of alcohol to people under 21 with punishment. 18 and over can work there, but people under 18 can't handle liquor. It's not the business of a municipality to interfere with the laws of the state," says Cambria.

Cambria says the law requires a strict scrutiny test where the city has to justify a law like commingling and the city can't.

The hearing was held Wednesday morning.

Filed Under :  
Locations : Buffalo, Chippewa Entertainment
People : Collin Miller, Paul Cambria
01/29/2013 5:45PM
Chippewa Commingling Law Challenged in Court
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01/30/2013 12:24PM
Chippewa Commingling Law
I understand the rationale that if a young person is old enough to fight for our country admission to a bar should be allowed. Chapter 9 of the NYS DMV Manual stares, "Young people, who have less experience with both alcohol and driving, are at greatest risk. Drivers under 21 years old represent about 5 percent of the driving population, but 15 percent of the drivers involved in alcohol or drug-related fatalities. This is one reason the license revocation penalties are more severe for young drivers under the influence of alcohol or other drugs." Given the number of accidents involving underage drinkers, I hope that the law remains in place. The young man states that he only wants to patronize Chippewa establishments. How will he deal with the temptation of an older patron encouraging him to have "just one drink."
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