Many teenagers and college students know that underage drinking is technically against the law but they don’t always understand what the potential consequences are. The answer is that it depends on what the charge is. Today we’ll cover a few different charges related to underage drinking and the potential consequences. If you still have questions, reach out to Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.

Charges of buying alcohol with a fake ID

The first charge we’ll discuss is buying alcohol with a fake ID. The law says that it’s illegal for a person who’s under 21 years old to have and offer a false ID that’s been fraudulently written, printed, or used for identification for buying, ordering, or procuring service of an alcoholic beverage. A conviction is a misdemeanor and can lead to up to 32 hours of community service and a fine of at least $250, though penalty assessments can double that amount. A conviction of fake ID usage can also lead to a mandatory one-year license suspension.

It’s common for a person who’s being charged with fake ID laws to also be charged with possession alcohol in public while under 21 years old. This can also come with up to 32 hours of community service and a driving license suspension for a year. As you can see, the potential seriousness of the consequences means you need a criminal defense attorney if you’re charged.

Charges of providing alcohol to minors

In some cases, an adult will sell or provide alcohol to minors. According to California law, it’s illegal to sell, give away, or furnish alcohol to people under the age of 21. If an established business does so, one defense option is that the person they sold it to provided an ID such as driver’s license, passport, or California ID that was reasonably accepted as real.

However, a conviction for providing alcohol to minors is a misdemeanor that can result in fines of up to $1,000. It can also come with 24 hours of community service to be served in a county coroner’s office or alcohol treatment facility. In the event that a person sells or gives a minor alcohol and that minor ends up causing great bodily harm either to themselves or to another person, then the person who sold it or gave it to them could end up spending six months in jail.

Any charge related to underrate drinking needs to be put before an attorney

If you’ve been charged with any charge related to underage drinking then you need a criminal defense attorney on your side. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell, we have the experience to help you through this. Whether you’re a student charged with an underage DUI, an adult who bought alcohol for a person under the age of 21, or are charged with another crime related to underage drinking, it’s time to contact (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.