Providing Alcohol to Minors Lawyer in Morris County NJ

Criminal Defense Lawyers with Offices in Morristown, New Jersey

Providing Alcohol to Minors Attorney

Do not let underage drinking and the New Jersey’s Social Host Liability Law ruin your future. You need an experienced Morristown NJ attorney to fight for you and help you avoid the most severe penalties for providing alcohol to minors.

The Tormey Law Firm is an experienced criminal defense team with skilled attorneys who have successfully represented clients charged with all types of offenses, including aggravated assault, criminal mischief, and burglary in Roxbury, Mount Olive, Denville, Parsippany, Dover, and Morristown.

The firm’s founding partner, Travis J. Tormey, has successfully handled thousands of criminal cases in New Jersey. Prior to founding the Tormey Law Firm, Mr. Tormey served with the United States Attorney’s Office. He also has experience working for two of the largest criminal defense firms in the state. At the Tormey Law Firm, Mr. Tormey focuses his practice entirely on criminal defense and drunk driving, which has enabled him to perfect his craft in these specific areas of law.

The experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm appear in courts throughout Morris County, NJ on a daily basis. Contact us day or night at 866-949-6948, or use the online contact form to schedule an appointment.

New Jersey’s Social Host Liability Law

New Jersey’s Social Host Liability Law imposes civil penalties on parents who act as social hosts and serve alcohol to minors who subsequently are involved in incidents casing death or injury. The State of New Jersey does not take underage drinking lightly, even if the minors are in the company of their parents. It is a criminal offense for a parent to serve alcohol to anyone who is under the legal age of 21. It is also a crime if a parent makes their home or property available for the purpose of giving minors a place to consume alcohol.

Providing Alcohol to Minors in New Jersey 

The New Jersey statute which governs providing alcohol to minors is N.J.S.A. 2C:33-17. It provides, in pertinent part:

a. Anyone who purposely or knowingly offers or serves or makes available an alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages or entices or encourages that person to drink an alcoholic beverage is a disorderly person.

This subsection shall not apply to a parent or guardian of the person under legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages if the parent or guardian is of the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages or to a religious observance, ceremony or rite. This subsection shall also not apply to any person in his home who is of the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages who offers or serves or makes available an alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages or entices that person to drink an alcoholic beverage in the presence of and with the permission of the parent or guardian of the person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages if the parent or guardian is of the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages.

b. A person who makes real property owned, leased or managed by him available to, or leaves that property in the care of, another person with the purpose that alcoholic beverages will be made available for consumption by, or will be consumed by, persons who are under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.

This subsection shall not apply if:

(1) the real property is licensed or required to be licensed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 33:1-1 et seq.;

(2) the person making the property available, or leaving it in the care of another person, is of the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages and is the parent or guardian of the person who consumes alcoholic beverages while under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages; or

(3) the alcoholic beverages are consumed by a person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages during a religious observance, ceremony or rite.

Providing Alcohol to Minors Penalties in New Jersey 

Providing alcohol to minors is a disorderly persons criminal offense in New Jersey. However, there are several exceptions to the statute. One exception is when a parent or guardian allows their underage son or daughter to consume alcohol. Another exception is if the alcohol was provided during a religious ceremony or service.

If convicted of providing alcohol to minors, the penalties can be severe. The statute charges parents who make their homes available to their underage children to throw parties. The penalties include:

• Fine: Up to $1,000
• Jail: Up to Six (6) months in the county jail
• Criminal Record: Permanent criminal charge on your record

Contact our Dover Providing Alcohol to Minors Defense Attorneys for Answers 

If you are convicted of a disorderly persons offense, the penalties can be severe. As a result, it is imperative that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney for assistance. Mr. Tormey is available immediately to help you fight your charges.

Contact us 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 866-949-6948, or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment. And remember: the consultation is provided free of charge.