Rhode Island Underage Drinking Lawyer

At some point in our teens, many of us found ourselves at high school and college parties filling red solo cups with beer or running into liquor stores with fake ID’s to buy cheap liquor. Underage drinking is not a new phenomenon, but as news stories about raucous house parties and the prevalence of alcohol use by minors continue to gain attention, police and public officials have stepped up prosecutions related to alcohol offenses.

In Rhode Island, you must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older before you can legally possess and consume alcohol. Violating this rule by purchasing, possessing, transporting or consuming alcohol as a minor can have serious legal consequences that can jeopardize your educational and professional career.

If you are charged with any crimes involving underage drinking, call the Rhode Island Underage Drinking Lawyers at Abilheira Law today at 401-245-5100 for a free consultation.

Possession of Alcohol by a Minor in Rhode Island (RI Gen. Laws § 3-8-10)

If you are under the age of twenty-one (21), you are prohibited from possessing an alcoholic beverage of any kind in Rhode Island. If you are a minor found guilty of violating this law you will face severe sanctions.

First Offense

  • $150-$750 fine

Second Offense

  • $300-$750 fine
  • May have to undergo substance and abuse assessment

Third Offense

  • $450-$950 fine
  • May have to undergo substance and abuse assessment

In addition to the monetary fines, any person who violates this section shall be required to complete thirty (30) hours of community service and shall be subject to a minimum sixty (60) day license suspension.

If you are charged with possession of alcohol as a minor, call the Rhode Island Underage Drinking Lawyers at Abilheira Law today at 401-245-5100 for a free consultation.

Transportation of Alcohol by a Minor in Rhode Island (RI Gen. Laws §3-8-9)

What may start off as a simple traffic stop could end up as a major headache if you are underage and police find alcohol in your car. Anyone under the age of twenty-one (21) who operates a motor vehicle while knowingly having liquor or intoxicating beverages in any form in containers, opened or unopened, in any part of the vehicle shall be guilty of a criminal violation.

First Offense

  • Fine up to $250
  • Up to a thirty (30) day license suspension

Second Offense

  • Fine up to $500
  • Up to a ninety (90) day license suspension

Third Offense

  • $500-$950 fine
  • One year license suspension

Note: This section does not apply to anyone traveling with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult family member. This section also does not apply to anyone aged sixteen (16) to twenty-one (21) transporting unopened alcoholic beverages in the course of their employment.

If you are charged with transportation of alcohol by a minor, call the Rhode Island Underage Drinking Lawyers at Abilheira Law today at 401-245-5100 for a free consultation.

Underage Drinking and Fake ID’s in Rhode Island (RI Gen. Laws §3-8-6)

Whether you paid for a fake ID or borrowed one from someone who looks like you, misrepresenting your age in order to enter a bar or purchase alcohol can have serious consequences.

Anyone under the age of twenty-one (21) is prohibited from entering any establishment licensed for the retail sale of alcohol for the purposes of purchasing or being served alcoholic beverages.

Also, anyone under the age of twenty-one (21) is prohibited from consuming any alcoholic beverage, purchasing an alcoholic beverage or having someone purchase an alcoholic beverage for them at any establishment licensed for the retail sale of alcohol.

Finally, it is unlawful for anyone under the age of twenty-one (21) to misrepresent or misstate their age through the presentment of identification belonging to any other person who is over the age of twenty-one (21) or any other form of “fake” identification.

If found guilty of any of these three violations, you will be subject to severe penalities:

First Offense

  • $100-$500 fine
  • 30 hours community service
  • 30 day license suspension

Second Offense

  • $500-$750 fine
  • 40 hours community service
  • Three (3) month license suspension

Third Offense

  • $750-$1000 fine
  • 50 hours community service
  • One year license suspension

If you are charged with underage drinking or using a fake ID, call the Rhode Island Underage Drinking Lawyers at Abilheira Law today at 401-245-5100 for a free consultation.

Providing Alcohol to Minors in Rhode Island (RI Gen. Laws § 3-8-11.1)

Rhode Island has taken a serious look at underage drinking and police departments throughout the State are targeting adults who purchase alcohol for minors and/or allow minors to have consume alcohol at their residence.

In Rhode Island, it is unlawful for any person twenty-one (21) years of age or older to:

  1. Buy alcohol for the sale, delivery or giving away to any person who has not reached their twenty-first (21) birthday
  2. Buy alcohol with the intent to sell or give away to any person who has not reached their twenty-first (21) birthday.
  3. Knowingly furnish any alcoholic beverage for the sale, delivery or giving away to any person who has not reached their twenty-first (21) birthday
  4. Procure alcohol for anyone under twenty-one (21)
  5. Permit the consumption of alcohol by underaged persons in his or her residence or on his or her real property

      *Also known as the “Social Host” law *

If you are found guilty of violating any of these provisions, you may face severe penalties:

First Offense

  • Classified as Misdemeanor
  • $350-$1000 fine
  • Potential for imprisonment up to six (6) months

Second Offense

  • Classified as Misdemeanor
  • $750-$1000 fine and/or
  • Potential for imprisonment up to one (1) year.

Third Offense

  • Classified as a felony
  • $1,000-$2,500 fine and/or
  • Imprisonment for up to three (3) years

It should be noted, that minors, ages eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21), can also be guilty of violating this law.  If so, they may be subject to a civil penalty of up to a $500 fine, may be required to attend an educational program on underage drinking and may be subject to thirty (30) hours of community service.

If you are charged with providing alcohol to a minor, call the Rhode Island Underage Drinking Lawyers at Abilheira Law today at 401-245-5100 for a free consultation.