Laws & Penalties Related To Underage Drinking
Ordinances and laws may change over time. This document provides general guidance regarding underage drinking laws and penalties. Please consult legal council for specific legal advice.
City of Long Beach Code of Ordinances
LAW
PENALTIES
WHAT IT MEANS
Sec. 17-2a. - "Social Host" - Consumption of alcoholic beverages and drugs by persons under the age of twenty-one (21) at private residences located in the city.
Type: Violation
- $1000, or
- Up to 15 days prison, or
- Combination of above.
Anyone over the age of 16 who allows an underage drinking party on premises that are under their control, can be:
- fined,
- put in prison.
Sec. 17-2. Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places.
Type: Violation
- $50-$500, or
- Up to 15 days prison, or
- Educational course, or
- Combination of above.
Anyone possessing alcohol in a public place can be:
- fined,
- put in prison,
- made to take an alcohol awareness class.
Nassau County Local Laws
LAW
PENALTIES
WHAT IT MEANS
Title 64 — Social Host Law — Illegal for persons over 18 to knowingly allow the consumption of alcohol in private residences.
Type: Misdemeanor
- $250 - first offense
- $500 - second offense
- $1000 and/or up to one year of imprisonment - third and subsequent offenses
Anyone over the age of 18 who allows an underage drinking party on premises that are under their control, can be:
- fined,
- put in prison.
New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws
LAW
PENALTIES
WHAT IT MEANS
ABC Law § 65-a. Procuring alcoholic beverages for persons under 21
Type: Unclassified Misdemeanor
- Up to $200, or
- Up to 5 days prison, or
- Combination of above.
Anyone caught buying an alcoholic beverage for someone under age 21 can be:
- fined,
- put in prison.
ABC Law § 65-b. Use of fraudulent identification to procure alcohol by persons under 21 First Offense
Type: Unclassified Misdemeanor
- Up to $100, and/or
- Up to 30 hours community service, and/or
- Completion of alcohol awareness program,
- Combination of above. 3-Month suspension of drivers license if used asfraudulent ID
- (Penalties increase for second and subsequent offenses.)
If someone under age 21 is caught using fake identification to purchase alcohol, they can be:
- fined,
- made to do community service,
- made to attend an alcohol education program,
- lose their drivers license for three months.