Purchase, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverage by minor.
1. Any person under 21 years of age who purchases any alcoholic beverage or any such person who consumes any alcoholic beverage in any saloon, resort or premises where spirituous, malt or fermented liquors or wines are sold is guilty of a misdemeanor.
2. Any person under 21 years of age who, for any reason, possesses any alcoholic beverage in public is guilty of a misdemeanor.
3. This section does not preclude a local governmental entity from enacting by ordinance an additional or broader restriction.
4. For the purposes of this section, possession “in public” includes possession:
(a) On any street or highway;
(b) In any place open to the public; and
(c) In any private business establishment which is in effect open to the public.
5. The term does not include:
(a) Possession for an established religious purpose;
(b) Possession in the presence of the person’s parent, spouse or legal guardian who is 21 years of age or older;
(c) Possession in accordance with a prescription issued by a person statutorily authorized to issue prescriptions;
(d) Possession in private clubs or private establishments; or
(e) The selling, handling, serving or transporting of alcoholic beverages by a person in the course of his lawful employment by a licensed manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer of alcoholic beverages.
Last modified: February 25, 2006