As the snow starts to melt and temperatures begin to rise, so too do the rates of underage drinking. In 2020, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 6 million people under twenty-one reportedly drank more than “a few sips” of alcohol. This represents 16% of the age group for whom alcohol consumption is illegal. While summer concerts, cookouts, and days on the water all lend themselves to this activity, here is what you need to know:

Under New Hampshire law, any person under the age of 21 who possesses, or is impaired by the consumption of, any alcoholic beverage, is guilty of a violation and will be fined a minimum of $300 for their first offense, increased to $600 for subsequent violations.  Hefty fines are not the only consequence – a guilty finding can result in the substantial loss of one’s driver’s license and boating license.

College-aged students should be aware of their school’s internal policy and procedure for underage drinking, including the revocation of housing, scholarships, and even college acceptance. In some cases, there is a penalty just for being at a party where underage drinking occurs, even if the student consumed no alcohol. Parents and students will want to carefully review the terms of any scholarships, acceptances, and housing agreements.

As the school year closes and summer activities begin, a parent-child conversation about the consequences of underage drinking may be beneficial to all. Parents, too, could suffer the consequences of underage drinking. For example, if a minor is hosting a party and a parent does not stop underage drinking, the parent could be found guilty of a misdemeanor.

The team of attorneys at Wescott Law is here to help. If you or your underage children are in need of legal assistance for issues involving alcohol, give us a call today.