Utah Furnishing to Minor Attorney

In Utah, it is against the law to sell or give alcohol to people who are under the age of twenty-one. You could be at risk for jail time, a hefty fine, a record that follows you for life, and even losing your liquor license as a business owner. Having any sort of blemish on your record is never good, it can show up later in life when you least expect it, like when you are applying for a job, or applying to adopt a child. Do not leave this offense to chance, let Weber Law help you today!

What is the Statute? 

Under Utah Code § 32B-4-403, a person may not sell, offer to sell, or furnish an alcoholic product to a minor. The definition of a minor is someone who is under the age of twenty one.

What is the Penalty?

Furnishing alcohol to minors in the state of Utah is a class B misdemeanor if the person negligently provides the alcohol, or fails to determine whether the recipient of the alcoholic product is a minor. A class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.00.

Furnishing alcohol to minors is a class A misdemeanor if the person knows the recipient of the alcoholic product is a minor. A class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one-year imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000.00. 

If a merchant is convicted of selling alcohol to minors, they could risk losing their job, or their liquor license. It is the merchant’s duty to make sure the person they are selling alcohol to, is over the age of twenty one. If they suspect the person is not over the age of twenty one, and the identity card that is given is expected to be counterfeit, the person must not sell the alcohol.

Related Charges

Charges that are related to supplying or selling alcohol to a minor or can even be coupled with the charge include but are not limited to:

• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
• Minor in possession of alcohol 
• Unlawful acts with a false ID

How Can You Fight It?

If you have been cited with supplying or selling alcohol to minors in the state of Utah, there are a few ways Weber Law can fight for you. Whether it is negotiating to lower the charge to a lesser crime, reducing your fine amount, making sure the charge doesn’t go on your record, or defending you at trial, Weber Law will work for you every step of the way. By using defenses that have been successful in the past, for example, being supplied a false ID by the minor, not realizing the merchandise you were selling had alcohol in it, or being coerced into supplying the alcohol, Weber Law will create a strong defense for you. At Weber Law we are experienced in defending these charges, winning these cases, and getting you back to everyday life. These are serious charges, and any blemish on your record can have detrimental effects, do not face these charges alone. The court room can be a very intimidating place, let Weber Law take the stress and worry from you. If you or anyone you know has been cited with supplying or selling alcohol to minors in the state of Utah, call Weber Law today for a consultation. 

• Utah Code § 32B-4-403, Unlawful sale, offer for sale, or furnishing to a minor
• Utah Code § 76-3-204, misdemeanor conviction – term of imprisonment
• Utah Code § 76-3-301, fines of individuals
• Utah Code § 76-10-2301, contributing to the delinquency of a minor
• Utah Code § 32-4-409, Unlawful purchase, possession, consumption by minor – measurable amounts in body