State ex rel. M.L.

McGANN, J.S.C.

The sole issue confronting the court is whether the mandatory $500 fine under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15(a) must be imposed in the case of a juvenile who receives a deferred disposition pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-43(b)(l).

The essential facts are not in dispute. M.L., along with several other juveniles, was charged with possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage by a person under legal age pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15(a), stemming from an incident occurring on January 30, 2013. The statute provides in pertinent part:

Any person under the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages…