Underage Alcohol Violations

The attorneys at the Law Office of Randolph Wolf recently represented an individual that was charged with an alcohol violation for using a fake ID to enter into a bar in Long Beach, New Jersey.  The State of New Jersey prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing alcoholic beverages, and from anyone serving or obtaining alcohol for a minor.  An individual commits an underage alcohol violation if he has committed the following as stated in N.J.S.A. 33:1-81:

(a) A person under the legal age for purchasing alcoholic beverages to enter any premises licensed for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for the purpose of purchasing, or having served or delivered to him or her, any alcoholic beverage; or

(b) A person under the legal age for purchasing alcoholic beverages to consume any alcoholic beverage on premises licensed for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages, or to purchase, attempt to purchase or have another purchase for him any alcoholic beverage; or

(c) Any person to misrepresent or misstate his age, or the age of any other person for the purpose of inducing any licensee or any employee of any licensee, to sell, serve or deliver any alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal age for purchasing alcoholic beverages; or

(d) Any person to enter any premises licensed for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for the purpose of purchasing, or to purchase alcoholic beverages, for another person who does not because of his age have the right to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.

In New Jersey, the penalties for underage possession or consumption of alcohol are severe. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15, they may include a fine of not less than $500.00 and suspension or postponement of the individual’s driver’s license for six month.  In addition to the penalties imposed by the court are the stigma and possible career challenges these young individuals can suffer as a result of a conviction for underage drinking.

The attorneys at the Law Office of Randolph Wolf were able to get the client’s charges reduced to a municipal ordinance violation, which is not a criminal offense.  Additionally, we were able to prevent the client from losing his driver’s license at all.  The client basically had to pay a fine and that was it.  If you have recently been charged with an underage drinking offense, call theWolf Law today to discuss your case.