Minor in Possession of Alcohol in New Jersey
Sales of alcohol to minors as well as public possession of alcohol by minors are enforced by Minor in Possession laws also known as underaged drinking laws. The passage of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act (23 U.S.C.A. § 158) in 1984 required all states to raise the minimum drinking age to 21 years of age, making it illegal for anyone under that age to possess or purchase alcohol. Since 1984 all states have complied with the act making the legal age of alcohol possession and purchase to be 21 nationally.
Contact the law offices of John W. Tumelty today to find out how an experienced lawyer can help you with your case today.
Public Possession laws in New Jersey
Public possession within the Drinking Age act allows for certain circumstances including:
Medical purposes, as long as a licensed physician, dentist, nurse, hospital, medical institution, or pharmacist administers the alcohol
A minor’s use of alcohol for an established religious purpose, as long as the minor is accompanied by parent, legal guardian over the age of 21, or spouse
In private clubs or establishments, or during lawful employment by a licensed manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer.
Many states target the activities and violations that are most common under the Drinking Age act, which can include:
Sales to minors: Vendors may not sell any alcoholic product to any person under the age of 21 in all states
Purchase of alcohol by minors: Similarly, any person under the age of 21 in any state may not purchase any alcoholic beverage or product
Possession of alcohol by minors: Many states have their own laws regarding private possession of alcohol by a minor yet exceptions to these laws exist on a per state basis
Minors’ consumption: Many state laws prohibit the consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21
Misrepresentation of age: Similarly, many states prohibit the use of false identification in an attempt to purchase alcohol illegally
Contact us Today for Experienced Legal Help with Minor in Possession Charges Today
If a person under the age of 21 receives a Minor in Possession charge and it is their first offense, the defendant may receive relatively light consequences as compared to someone with multiple offenses. These results can differ largely by local governments as well as the political views of the community.
Many times, these charges can have a much larger impact on a person’s life than initially thought. They may cause insurance premiums to rise and a licence suspension can cause further difficulty.
Often times the severity of consequences handed down to a minor charged with an MIP are unknown at it may be in your best interest to contact an experienced New Jersey lawyer to handle your case immediately. John w. Tumelty has years of experience and success and may be able to help reduce or possibly eliminate the consequences of an MIP charge.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
