A new bill being drafted by Michigan legislator Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, could ease up on penalties for students who get caught drinking underage.

Underage drinking is an offense a majority of college students have done at least once. But rather than a minor in possession charge being a misdemeanor on the first offense, which would follow a student for the rest of his or her life, the first two charges would result in civil infractions — just like a speeding or parking ticket. A third offense would result in a misdemeanor.

The State News Editorial Board supports this sort of “three strikes and you’re out” policy, as too many students can be forever haunted by a stupid and immature mistake made in their late teen years.

Despite rumors to the contrary, an MIP conviction would not eventually be wiped off an offender’s record, according to state of Michigan attorney Peter A. Torrice.

This means, if an individual with an MIP charge is applying for jobs, they will have to check the “Yes” box for the dreaded “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” question on a job application.

For some professions, this will not be looked at too seriously, and can easily be forgiven provided the rest of an applicant’s record is clean.

But for others, such as those going into the teaching field, it could forever ruin their chance to be employed in the field they desire.

The State News is by no means endorsing underage drinking. It is against the law, and everyone who takes a drink under the age of 21 is aware of that fact.

That said, drinking is an undeniable facet of college culture. Students, especially at MSU, are going to partake in underage drinking even though they are aware of the legal consequences that could follow.

According to the National Institute of Health, 70 percent of teenagers have had a drink by the time they were 18 years old. That number will obviously only increase by the time those individuals reach the legal drinking age of 21.

If a majority of students drink underage, being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time could have lifelong consequences under current Michigan law.

Changing this strict legislation is simply reasonable. If a student is caught three times, they have shown either an obvious alcohol problem, a disdain for authority or both.

But for a first- or second-time mistake, the punishment should fit the crime. Currently, that punishment is overly severe.

As Jones, the sponsor of the bill, said, “I know that currently this misdemeanor is not a deterrent, so I think ... (to) not tie somebody’s life with a criminal record is the best direction to go in.”

Rather than potentially altering the life course of a student for an irresponsible slip-up or two, a rational and logical change to current Michigan law would put our state’s youth in a better position to be successful for the remainder of their professional lives.

State News Minority Rep Sergio Martinez-Beltrán did not serve on this editorial board because he reported on the issue.