Providing Alcohol to Minors
If you are 21 or older, you’re allowed to drink (in moderation) without suffering criminal penalties or repercussions. However, it is still illegal for you to provide alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 with some minor exceptions, such as at certain religious observances. It may seem like an obvious law for most parents not to make alcohol available to teenagers at parties or events, but for young adults who have just turned 21 and whose friends may be on the verge of turning 21 themselves, the distinction between legal and underage may not be so obvious.
College parties are a great example of furnishing alcohol to minors without meaning to do so. Most college fraternity parties are open to the general public, but some may have a screening system to prevent underage drinking. This might mean that a bouncer checks IDs at the door and marks anyone under 21 with an X on the back of the hand. However, this does not necessarily prevent that person from drinking, and unlike the rules of a typical bar where underage patrons are not allowed on certain nights (or at all), a frat party has the potential for anyone to grab a cup and a beer. If the police are called, the adults who threw the party could be held responsible for the minors who are caught drinking, despite their efforts to curb any illegal activity.
These types of convictions can linger on a person’s record for many years, making it hard to find a job or pass a background check. If you are underage and have been caught drinking, or if you are an adult who has been charged with furnishing alcohol to minors, contact an Essex County juvenile attorney at The Gorman Law Firm today.
Published in Categories: Juvenile Defense
