Underage Drinking... What Are The Laws?

Underage Drinking: The Facts

• It is illegal to give alcohol to your teen’s underage friends under any circumstances – even in your own home, even with their parents’ permission.
• You cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than your own child, to consume or possess alcohol in your home or on your property.

What can happen if you break the law

• You face a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and $1,075 in fines and fees.
• Your penalties can “stack up,” as you can be ticketed for each underage person you provide with alcohol.
• You can be sued if you give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they, in turn, hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.

What you can do to protect yourself

• Refuse to supply alcohol to anyone under 21
• Be at home when your teen has friends over
• Make sure that alcohol is not brought into your home or property by your teen’s friends
• Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at other events your child will be attending
• Create alcohol-free opportunities and activities in your home so teens feel welcome
• Report underage drinking to local law enforcement