A Massachusetts judge has ruled in favor of several student athletes on a girls' hockey team who were disciplined by their high school for attending a house party where alcohol was served.

Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Maynard Kirpalani granted preliminary injunctive relief to the five teammates on grounds that Braintree Public High School's policy was too vague to be enforced.

"Under these circumstances, persons of common intelligence would likely differ on whether the plaintiffs were in the presence of alcohol and, thus, in possession of alcohol within meaning of the policy," Judge Kirpalani wrote. "The policy is insufficiently clear as to what conduct is prohibited and invites arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement."

According to news reports, the players attended a house party where parents were present. Despite calling their parents to pick them up once they learned alcohol was being consumed by underage party-goers, the girls were placed on "social probation" by the school, barring them from participating in sports or other activities for three weeks. School policy allows administrators to discipline students "deemed to be 'in possession'" of alcohol, even if the student is only in the presence of it.

Calling the policy ridiculous as it would prevent students from attending weddings or other events where alcohol is present, Dave Flanagan, attorney for the students, applauded the court's decision.

"They were very excited, that’s for sure,” Flanagan told reporters. The girls were allowed back on the ice in time to play in a big game, which they ultimately won, advancing them to the semi-finals.

—Source: Boston.com