Posted on February 19, 2016 in Juvenile Crimes
In the United States, general alcohol laws prevent individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing or consuming alcohol. However, 45 states have underage drinking exceptions. Five states, Arkansas, Alabama, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Idaho, have no exceptions.
You may wonder what exactly individuals under 21 can do legally. Before you let teens have a glass of champagne on New Year’s or a beer on the 4th of July, take a moment to review your state laws and exceptions. The Alcohol Policy Information System website provides a handy guide that adults and minors can use to learn more about alcohol laws across the country.
In Arizona, underage drinking laws:
Here are the exceptions to the drinking age in states around the country.
This overview is not a comprehensive view of alcohol laws in each state. For more information about laws in your area, consult an attorney who specializes in alcohol-related cases or carefully review your state’s legislation.
Drinking laws change from state to state over time, and some laws may conflict. For instance, some states may prohibit possession or consumption, but have no laws prohibiting a minor from being physically intoxicated (unless he or she is driving). Even if you know the laws, prior court rulings in cases may complicate certain situations.
If you want to allow a minor to drink for religious reasons, for example, you must be able to prove the minor was not drinking for other reasons. Several large glasses of wine may not fit the religious reasons exception.
Many state laws have loopholes, whereas others have strictly outlined the legally approved circumstances for underage drinking. If you have any questions about your rights and underage drinking, err on the side of caution.
For more information, contact the juvenile crime attorney Craig Orent. Give us a call at (480) 656-7301 or visit our law office at 11811 N Tatum Blvd UNIT 3031, Phoenix, AZ 85028. We offer a free case evaluation, so get the help you deserve today.