Teens and Drinking - What Parents Need to Know!
Courtesy of STOP DWI of New York

What does the 21 legal purchase age law mean?

It means you must be 21 years old to buy alcoholic beverages in bars, tavers, restaurants, and clubs or to buy those beverages in liquor stores and supermarkets.  It is also illegal for any person, over or under 21, to buy alcoholic beverages for, or to give them to, anyone under 21  (except their own child).

What will happen to an underage person who gets caught drinking, purchasing, or possessing alcohol?

Any person who presents false identification to purchase alcoholic beverages can receive a fine of up to $100 and/or an appropriate amount of community service not to exceed 30 hours.  In addition, there can be a 90-day suspension of the driver's license of anyone who has used it to illegally purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages.  All driver licenses and non-driver identification cards for persons under 21 are imprinted with the statement "under 21 years of age."  Also, another law makes it illegal for those under 21 to possess alcohol with an intent to consume it and empowers both police and peace officers to confiscate the alcohol.

May a parent serve alcohol to teens and their friends at a parent supervised party?

No, the law applies to all situations in which an underage person is served alcohol by anyone but his/her parents.  A parent serving the young friends alcohol would be committing a Class A Misdemeanor under Penal Law Section 260.20 , which allows a parent or guardian to furnish liquor or beer to their own child only.  The Social Host Law also applies, exposing the parent to civil liability for any injury caused by the minor as a result of intoxication.

What is the Social Host Law?

Under General Obligation Law Section 11-100, any person who is injured by a minor who is intoxicated, or whose ability is impaired, may sue for the resulting damage whoever knowingly provided the alcohol to the minor.