Underage Drinking Penalties
Serge Semirog
A person under the age of 21 caught purchasing, attempting to purchase or possessing alcohol will be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor. Sentencing is left to the judge's discretion. The Division of Motor Vehicles revokes that person's driver's license.
- A 19 or 20-year-old caught possessing beer or wine can be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor and if found guilty could be fined up to $200 and lose his or her driver's license.
- For the first offense, a person convicted of selling or providing alcohol to someone under the age of 21 must pay a $250 fine plus $100 in court costs and do 25 hours of community service.
- A person convicted for aiding and abetting the sale or provision of alcohol to a minor must pay a $500 fine plus court costs and do 25 hours of community service work.
- In addition to fines and court costs, those convicted of breaking the state alcohol laws may have to pay attorney's fees and an increased insurance premium of 400% or more.
- It is illegal for anyone to loan his or her ID to someone else to obtain alcohol. Upon conviction, DMV will revoke the loaner's driver's license.