While underage drinking is illegal in Travis County, so too is selling alcohol to minors under the age of 21 years old.
As in all other states, the legal drinking age in Texas is 21 years old. Still, it is not uncommon for younger individuals to try to purchase alcohol for themselves or their friends. Although underage drinking is illegal, it is also against the law for individuals to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Below, our Travis County criminal defense lawyer explains the penalties for those convicted and tips to protect yourself.
Penalties for Selling Alcohol to Minors
While the offense of selling alcohol to minors may sound very minor, it is taken seriously in Travis County and throughout the state. As a Class A misdemeanor, it is not as serious as a felony, but the penalties can be very harsh. They include up to one year in jail, a maximum $4,000 fine, and a driver’s license suspension of up to 180 days.
In addition to the legal penalties, a conviction for selling alcohol to minors will remain on your permanent criminal record. This can make it more difficult to obtain employment in the future, and your employer may terminate your employment after learning that you sold alcohol to minors. You may also be found liable for paying any damages the minor caused, such as during a drunk driving accident after consuming alcohol you sold them.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) will also determine if a retail establishment is responsible for the sale. If so, the establishment may also lose its liquor license for up to 90 days.
How to Protect You and Your Business
Differentiating between a 20-year-old and a 21-year-old is never easy. Still, if you sell alcohol to a minor, you may be convicted of criminal negligence. Stating that an individual appeared to be older than 21 years of age is also not a defense. Still, there are ways you can protect yourself from charges.
Sellers of alcohol have an obligation to ask patrons for appropriate government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID card, to determine their age. The ID must include a photograph that bears the likeness of the patron, a physical description of the person, and their date of birth. When establishments fail to do this and they sell alcohol to a minor, they can face many penalties.
Selling Alcohol to Minors Using Fake IDs
Minors often use fake IDs to try to consume or purchase alcohol. It is also not easy to differentiate between an authentic ID and a fake ID. As long as the establishment still asks to check a person’s ID, and it contains the necessary information outlined above, establishments cannot be found guilty of an offense.
Our Criminal Defense Lawyers in Travis County Can Help
If you have been charged with selling alcohol to minors, you need legal advice. At Granger and Mueller, PC, our Travis County criminal defense lawyers can craft the defense you need to protect your freedom. Call us today at (512) 474-9999 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.