TEXAS ALCOHOL LAWS FOR MINORS

In Texas a “minor” is someone under 21 years of age. Generally speaking, a minor may not purchase, attempt to purchase, consume, or even possess an alcoholic beverage.

Since a minor should not even possess and alcoholic beverage, the 1997 Texas Legislature adopted Senate Bill 35, which established ZERO TOLLERANCE for minors who commit offenses under the non-driving alcohol-related laws as well as for minors who drive under the influence.

ZERO TOLLERANCE means just that. Even if a minor is not intoxicated as defined under the DWI statute, if the minor has ANY detectable amount of alcohol in his/her system while he or she is operating a motor vehicle in a public place, as far as the law is concerned, the minor driver has committed the criminal offense of DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR (DUIA BY A MINOR).

A person who purchases an alcohol beverage for a minor or who furnishes an alcohol beverage to a minor can be punished by a fine up to $2000.00 and/or confinement in jail for up to 180 days.

A person who sells a minor an alcohol beverage to a minor can be punished by a fine up to $4000.00 and/or confinement in jail for up to a year.

Information provided by the TEXAS DRIVER HANDBOOK (Texas Department of Public Safety) for additional information please refer to: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us