I was recently involved in a car accident. Unfortunately, since it was my first accident, I was scatter-brained and anxious. What I did not realize at the time was that the actions you take immediately after the accident can affect a personal injury case and the outcome of that case. I wanted to find a way to share my experiences and mistakes with other. Since the Internet is so popular, I figured this would be a great way to do so. While you likely aren't planning on being in an accident soon, if you are, hopefully you remember some of the tips I share on this website.
Yvonne Russell
If you have a license to sell alcohol at your market, you need to make sure that you don't sell to minors. According to statistics, about 3 million kids between the ages of 13 and 17 admitted to consuming alcohol. While some of that alcohol is obtained from their own homes, many teens also obtain alcohol by purchasing it illegally from businesses just like yours. Unfortunately, if you get caught selling alcohol to minors, you can have your liquor license suspended temporarily. You can also face severe legal penalties. Here are four legal repercussions you could face if you sell alcohol to underage drinkers.
Fines
Once you've been caught selling alcohol to minors, the authorities will get involved. In addition to losing your liquor license, you will also be subject to other types of penalties. The first penalty you'll face will be monetary fines. For your first offense, the courts will probably keep your fines affordable. However, your fines will increase dramatically for each subsequent offense.
Probation
If you've been caught selling alcohol to minors on numerous occasions, the courts may decide that fines aren't a sufficient way to punish you. At this point, you may be subjected to probation. During your probation, you'll be required to meet with your probation officer. You may also be prohibited from selling alcohol at your establishment. Continued abuse of the laws regarding sales of alcohol to minors may require stiffer penalties the next time around.
Jail Time
If your business has received multiple violations for selling alcohol to minors, you may eventually face jail time. Selling alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor, which means you might be looking at about a year in jail for each offense. However, it's important to note that each state is different, which means your sentence may be more or less than a year.
Permanent Revocation of License
If you continue to violate the underage drinking laws, you could face permanent forfeiture of your liquor license – whether you or your clerks knew that you were selling to a minor or not. If your establishment is facing a revocation of your liquor license, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible.
If you have a liquor license, you need to be aware of underage drinkers. To protect yourself and your business, be sure to discuss safety procedures with your employees. If you suspect that someone might be underage, take a few extra minutes to inspect their ID. That extra time could save your liquor license. Click here for more information about obtaining and using a liquor license properly.