In response to the overwhelming sale of liquor to minors, New York has been aggressively targeting those who abuse their liquor licenses. Drinking under the age of 21 is widely known to affect brain development and cause learning difficulties well into people’s 20s, which is why New York is now initiating such a heavy crackdown.
Additionally, rather obviously, alcohol impairs judgment, and when a minor drinks, he or she may be more inclined to drive while under the influence, posing a major risk to every other motorist on the road. This is why if you have a liquor license, it is your job to ensure every single person who walks into your establishment has a valid form of identification. By doing so, you may save a life.
To give you a better idea of how widespread the underage sale alcohol is, over 400 tickets were issued to vendors who sold alcohol to minors in this summer alone. While the underage sale of alcohol is prohibited, the unfortunate reality is that some fake ID’s are so convincing that you may believe you are serving someone of age. However, if you are charged by the State Liquor Authority for selling alcohol to a minor, you will face a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation. Subsequent offenders may have their liquor license suspended or revoked, as well as being charged with a misdemeanor and arrested.
If you are underage and were caught using a fake ID with the intent to purchase alcohol, you subject yourself to a ticket and a license revocation of up to one year. If you are underage and are being charged for having a fake ID, you must retain an experienced attorney as soon as you can.
Regarding fake ID’s in New York, Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Underage drinking is dangerous and can cost much more than the price of a fake ID. I urge all young New Yorkers to think twice before wasting their money on a phony ID and choosing to drink before they are of age. Those decisions could have life-long consequences, and no matter how good you think your fake ID looks, our experienced investigators have the equipment and training to quickly spot a fraud.”
Contact our experienced Long Island firm
Criminal matters can change the course of your life forever. This is why you need an experienced attorney who will aggressively combat your charges to help mitigate their long-term effects. If you are in need of experienced legal counsel for a criminal defense matter on Long Island or throughout New York State, please contact Grunwald & Seman, P.C. to schedule a consultation. We would be happy to assist you.
