Serving Alcohol to Minors

It is illegal for minors under the age of 21 to drink alcohol in Rhode Island. Likewise, buying alcohol for minors or selling it to them is also illegal. Individuals who knowingly give alcohol to minors or fail to properly check for identification can be arrested and charged. In addition, anyone who provides liquor to a minor can be held liable for any injuries or damages that the intoxicated minor causes to a third party or to him or herself.

The fines for serving alcohol to a minor can amount to hundreds of dollars just for a first offense, and subsequent offenses can lead to jail time. Adults have a responsibility to verify that anyone that asks to be served alcohol is at least 21 years old. If a person doesn't have a valid ID that verifies that they are of legal age, it is illegal to serve them.

Dram shop liability laws make the costs of serving a minor even more serious. If an establishment serves liquor to a minor and the minor later injures him or herself or another individual, the establishment or server can be held liable. The minor does not necessarily have to be intoxicated, as long as there is evidence that alcohol was the proximate cause of the injuries or damages.

Contact Us

If you have been charged with DUI, or for serving a minor who was charged with DUI, you need an experienced and aggressive attorney to represent you in court. For more information, contact experienced Rhode Island DUI lawyer James Powderly today at 401-662-9006.