Teacher Gets No Jail for Underage Booze Party - Updated

(Bennington, Vermont) Earlier today, former teacher and dance instructor at Arlington Memorial High School and librarian at Fisher Elementary School, Allyson Hoffman, pleaded guilty to enabling underage people to drink.

Hoffman was originally charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and enabling underage drinking. The drug possession charges were dropped in accordance with the plea agreement.

For enabling underage drinking, her sentencing was deferred for nine months and she was given probation.

In court, 38-year-old Hoffman tearfully read a statement.

“I want to publicly apologize to the parents of these young men and women (who were at Hoffman’s home in August) and to my community for my poor judgment and for allowing these young people to put themselves at risk. I am ashamed and embarrassed and very sorry and nothing like this will ever happen again,” she said.

If Hoffman is a good girl for nine months, her criminal record will be expunged.

Notably, there was no evidence that Hoffman was aware of the cocaine and marijuana in her house and she denied any knowledge. Consequently, those charges were not prosecuted. Frankly, I'm skeptical. If someone was using drugs in my house, in particular smelly marijuana, I'd know about it.

In conclusion, even though it appears that Hoffman will ultimately skate on the criminal offenses and end up with a clear record, she was fired from the Arlington School System for "conduct unbecoming."

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Vermont Teacher Accused of Hosting an Underage Drinking Party
[Previous 8/18/09 post]
(Sunderland, Vermont) A 38-year-old teacher and dance coach at Arlington Memorial High School, Allyson Hoffman, was arrested last Friday for allegedly hosting an underage drinking party at her home. According to Vermont State Police Sgt. John-Paul Schmidt, Hoffman was cited to appear in court.

Schmidt said police went to Hoffman's home on Friday night after receiving a late-night tip about a possible party where underage people were believed to be drinking alcohol.

When police arrived, they found what Schmidt called a "moderate gathering" with "loud music" and a bonfire.

Police said they believed several underage people fled when they arrived, but others who were found outside had been drinking alcohol.

Schmidt said Hoffman let police enter her home and cooperated with their investigation..

Once inside, police found many open alcohol containers and several underage people, several of whom were hiding in various locations inside, who had either been drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana or both, the press release said.

The Arlington Rescue Squad took one underage girl for treatment because of concerns that the amount of alcohol she drank could cause medical problems.

Police found marijuana in the house and powders they believed to be cocaine and crushed prescription drugs.

Yesterday, Hoffman claimed she is innocent.