Three NIU students pled guilty and were fined Friday for violating a DeKalb city ordinance for selling alcohol without a license.

Scott A. Pfeiffer, 22, 1116 Suburban Apts., Andrew M. Macuiba, 20, Waukegan, Ill., and Steven Miralaeff, 503 College Ave., were arrested after the three hosted a party at 503 College Ave., police said.

Pfeiffer, Macuiba and Miralaeff were fined $321 each for the incident. The maximum fine for this type of incident is $500, DeKalb City Attorney Ron Matekaitis said.

The three students are not subject to any criminal charges because the incident involved a city ordinance which is dealt with by the city attorney, said DeKalb State’s Attorney Mike Coghlan.

People involved in selling alcohol without a license are not aware of the possible dangers, Matekaitis said. Without Dram Shop insurance, the offense can lead to “serious consequences,” he said.

Tavern owners have Dram Shop insurance, which covers them from injuries sustained by customers at the tavern, but party hosts do not have any such insurance, Matekaitis said.

Injuries sustained by a person at a party could bring about “serious consequences” because the hosts of the party are “exposed to liability,” he said.

In 1934, Illinois required Dram Shop insurance of all alcohol-selling establishments to protect patrons from injuries inflicted by intoxicated people at the establishment.

The NIU Judicial Office has no jurisdiction in such incidents since the sale of alcohol occurred off campus, but would become involved if there were any injuries at the party, said NIU Judicial Office Director Larry Bolles.