Attorney General Releases Results on Recent  "College Town" Alcohol Checks Checks Find Violations in Gulfport and in Bay St. Louis From: Office of the Attorney General   Filed 10/13/08  GCN Jackson, MS-Investigators with the Attorney General's Office, Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement Unit, conducted a recent sweep of college towns, announced Attorney General Jim Hood.  In Starkville, eleven checks of restaurants and bars resulted in two alcohol buys.  The two buys were at Bin 612, 612 University Drive, Starkville and Old Venice, 110 Main Street in Starkville.  In Hattiesburg, six checks of restaurants and bars resulted in four alcohol buys.  The buys occured at La Fiesta Brava #123, Suite 2000, 124 Grand Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS, Chilies, 4500 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, MS, Hunt Club, 1900 N. 31st Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS and Mug Shots, 3803 W. 4th Street, Hattiesburg, MS.  In Oxford, ten checks at convenience stores, restaurants and bars resulted in two alcohol  buys.  The violations occurred at the Oxford Chevron West, 431 Hwy 6 West and Ward's Short Stop, 2502 Old Taylor Road in Oxford. Also, recent complaints to the Attorney General's Office resulted in a check at bar's in the Bay St. Louis and Gulfport areas.  In  these coastal areas, five checks resulted in one alcohol  buy at the Third Base Lounge, 809 Highway 90, Bay St. Louis. "We do these types of checks regularly, pretty much daily," said Attorney General Jim Hood.  "We like to keep awareness high, particularly in college towns, that we are out statewide enforcing our state's alcohol and tobacco laws." According to state law, any person selling beer to a person under the age of 21 years can face a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail or both.  Any place of business making a sale of beer to an underage person can be fined and/or suffer administrative charges.  For a first offense, a retailer may be fined not less than $500 but not more than $1,000 and/or be prohibited from selling beer for three months. For a second  offense occurring  within 12 months of the first offense, a fine of not less than $500 but not more than $1,500 and be prohibited from selling beer for six months. For a third offense occurring  within 12 months of the first offense, a fine of not less than $1,000 but not more than $5,000 and be prohibited from selling beer for one year. "Typically, in these routine checks, we issue citations to the bartenders or clerks," said Attorney General Hood. "The Judge determines the price they'll pay for breaking the law."  During 2007, the Alcohol Tobacco Enforcement Unit of the Attorney General's Office conducted 4,586 alcohol inspections with 270 of those resulting in a violation.