Common Underage Alcohol Crimes in Charlotte, North Carolina

Underage drinking is taken very seriously in North Carolina, and it’s easy to find yourself or your child charged with a crime as the result of a simple error in judgment. Unfortunately, these cases are prosecuted very aggressively and can result in significant penalties such as driver’s license revocation, fines, and other consequences.

If you or your child are dealing with accusations of underage alcohol crimes, we can help you navigate the charges and fight to get a fair result. Don’t let the prosecution bully you into accepting a one-sided plea agreement. Call a Charlotte underage drinking lawyer from Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys at (980) 237-4579, or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation of your case.

What Are the Most Common Underage Alcohol Offenses?

Here are some of the most common alcohol-related offenses people under 21 could face in North Carolina:

Purchase, Possession, and Consumption

Under North Carolina law, it is illegal for people under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule:

• Alcohol use as part of a religious ceremony in an organized church
• Serving alcohol as part of your employment
• Working with alcohol for educational purposes as part of a licensed and accredited culinary program

The purchase, possession, or consumption outside of these exceptions could result in a criminal charge.

In North Carolina, underage possession or consumption of alcohol is a class 2 misdemeanor and you could face up to 60 days in jail.  Underage purchasing of alcohol is a class 1 misdemeanor and you could face up to 120 days in jail, further can also face having your driving privilege revoked.

Use or Attempted Use of False Identification

Another common charge related to underage drinking is the use and possession of fake identification. North Carolina prohibits the use of false identification to purchase alcohol or gain entry to an establishment where alcohol is sold, such as a dance club or bar. Under North Carolina Law, a fake ID is:

• A fraudulent or altered driver’s license.
• A fraudulent or altered identification document other than a driver’s license.
• A driver’s license issued to another person.
• An identification document other than a driver’s license issued to another person.
• Any other form or means of identification that indicates or symbolizes that the person is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages.

If you are convicted of using a Fake ID, The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles will revoke your driving privileges.

Aiding A Minor in Obtaining Alcohol

it’s illegal for anyone to help a minor under 21 acquire alcohol. This includes buying it for them, using your ID to facilitate a purchase, or even knowingly providing a fake ID. The law treats this as aiding and abetting underage drinking, and the penalties can be harsher than those for the minor themself.

If you’re of legal age and caught supplying alcohol to a minor, you could face a Class 1 misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and community service, on top of potential driver’s license suspension. It’s also against the law in North Carolina for one minor to help another obtain alcohol

Driving While Impaired by Alcohol

North Carolina is a zero-tolerance state when it comes to people under the age of 21 driving while under the influence of alcohol. This means that you can be charged with DWI (driving while impaired) if you have any amount of alcohol in your system, even if it’s well under the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of .08%.

If you’ve been charged with drunk driving while under the age of 21, you are now facing very serious penalties. Under NC law, underage DWIs are class 2 misdemeanors punishable by one to 60 days’ incarceration, fines, collateral consequences, and more.

Contact Randall & Stump for Help with Underage Drinking Charges in Charlotte

If convicted of an underage alcohol offense, your charge could impact your future in more ways than you expect. It may make it difficult to get into specific schools or find employment. It could make it challenging to maintain a driver’s license that allows you to travel freely. You will also need to deal with the stigma of a criminal record.

The bottom line is that you need someone on your side to make sure you get a fair result. If you or your child is facing alcohol-related charges as a minor in North Carolina, the criminal defense attorneys at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys can help.

Call us at (980) 237-4579, or visit us online to schedule a free evaluation of your case.