If you’re under 21, there are a few things you cannot do in the United States.

• Drink alcohol.
• Buy or attempt to buy alcoholic beverages.
• Use a fake ID or someone else’s ID to buy alcohol.
• Drive while or after drinking any alcohol.

North Carolina has a zero-tolerance policy regarding underage drinking, so underage drivers don’t have to be intoxicated to be charged with a crime. Any reading above 0.00 in a blood alcohol test is a reason for a conviction. Even smelling alcohol on an underage person can potentially lead to charges. If you’re caught breaking the NC underage drinking laws, some of the following things could happen:

• Your license will be suspended.
• Your conviction will be reported to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
• Your insurance rates will go up.
• You may face fines, court fees, attorney’s fees, and/or jail time.

Young drivers plus underage drinking can lead to even more severe consequences, including:

• Getting a reckless driving ticket.
• Getting into an accident.
• Causing injury to others or damage to property.
• Cause the death of other drivers and passengers.

Underage drinking is dangerous and should be taken seriously. An underage person who drinks alcohol is more susceptible to other things aside from the consequences of drinking, such as:

• Problems at school.
• Fighting, physical assault, and homicide.
• Unwanted and unprotected sexual activity.
• Using other drugs.
• Long-lasting harm to brain development.
• Death by alcohol poisoning.

It’s also important to note that it’s not only the minor who may be facing legal trouble for underage drinking, any adult who supplies someone under 21 with alcohol or aids them in obtaining it (such as by loaning them their ID to use to buy alcohol) is committing a crime, too. Adults can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor and lose their driving privileges.

We recommend that parents talk to their children about underage drinking. Research shows that when conversations around alcohol go up, underage drinking rates go down. Children need to hear repeatedly that underage drinking is illegal. And that underage drinking and drunk driving are both illegal and dangerous. Since 2003, conversations between parents and kids have increased 73%. During that same period, underage drinking has decreased by 50%. For more information on how to talk to your child about underage drinking, visit https://www.talkitoutnc.org/.

Under NC law, people under the age of 21 who drink, and drive must attend court hearings. Getting legal counsel is crucial and your attorney can better explain the laws and consequences to you.

Attorney Leslie Craft has the experience you need when dealing with underage drinking and traffic violations. To schedule a free, personal consultation, call Craft Law Offices at (252) 752-0297 or visit craftlawoffice.com.

The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only. Information presented on this website should not be construed as formal legal advice or the formation of an attorney-client relationship.