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Police get called because of loud disturbance...police investigate and find party going on. They knock on the door to inquire (or perhaps observe comings and goings of teenagers with alcohol), and see alcohol present.

In Sanity County, New Jersey circa 1985-89, when the Police came to a party we were usually told to keep the noise down. On a rare occasion, we might have been asked to leave. No one got arrested. Sometimes Parents were informed (horrors!)

Why don't we just bubble-wrap everybody and round-off every sharp edge and get it over with.

However police handled this situation in Sanita County 15-20 years ago is their business. Under some circumstances--maybe a quiet party involving a dozen or so teenagers in a small town--maybe a stern warning is all they need.

However, the officers in this case were just doing their jobs. Too severe? Perhaps. But you can't fault them. The issue in this post is not whether or not jail time is appropriate for teenagers who choose to party. The issue is that teens should learn to deal with the consequences of their actions. Too often, particularly with affluent parents, the police are threatened with lawsuits because they don't want their kids to spend a night in jail.