GILFORD, N.H. -- A Gilford mother charged with hosting an underage drinking party was fined Tuesday in a plea deal.

Sue Hanlon, 40, could have faced jail time if convicted. In the deal, she pleaded to reduced charges of facilitating a party at her home two months ago.

"Part of being a parent and being an example is to be an example and take responsibility," defense attorney Jesse Friedman said. "After consultation, she was able to live with this agreement."

Police were called to Hanlon's home in March on a report of a party. Officers said that there were more than 20 minors at the house, and they seized beer, liquor and three-ring binders of drink menus.

Hanlon did not want to speak to reporters Tuesday, but in an interview in April, she spoke about the dangers of drunken driving. She said she lost her mother to a drunken driver and was trying to provide a safe place for kids.

"They're doing it in places they shouldn't be doing it and getting into trouble and drinking and driving, and a lot of people are ignorant to the fact that it's going on," she said.

"She has vowed as a single parent to do whatever she can to ensure that the same thing doesn't happen to her kids, as far as going out and causing an accident or being with somebody who potentially is driving drunk," Friedman said.

Under the plea deal, Hanlon must pay a $750 fine, with $400 suspended as long as she stays out of trouble for a year.

"Mrs. Hanlon had no prior criminal record," Lt. Ed Cowling said. "I think the terms of the agreement satisfied what we're looking to do -- hopefully, sending the message that hosting an underage drinking party is not acceptable."

Friedman said that Hanlon wants to put the case behind her and move on with her life, but she hopes others can learn a lesson from what happened to her.