Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

The criminal defense attorneys at Baker Associates have successfully represented numerous clients charged with alcohol-related offenses ranging from DUI to open container violations. In Tennessee, purchasing alcohol for a minor is a criminal offense.

A person can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for purchasing alcoholic beverages or beer for a minor, i.e., a person under twenty-one (21) years of age, or for providing alcoholic beverages or beer to a minor. To be convicted for purchasing alcohol for or providing alcohol to a minor, the State of Tennessee must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

(1)(a) That the accused bought intoxicating alcoholic beverages for or on behalf of any child under the age of twenty-one (21) years;
or
(1)(b) That the accused furnished intoxicating alcoholic beverages to any child under the age of twenty-one (21) years for any purpose;
and
(2) That the accused acted either intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly.

It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that any person accused of giving or buying alcoholic beverages or beer for a minor acted upon a reasonably held belief that the minor was of legal drinking age. This belief may be acquired by the minor making a false statement about his or her age or presenting false identification that shows the minor is twenty-one years of age or older.

If a person is convicted of Class A misdemeanor Purchasing or Providing Alcohol to a Minor, he or she may be sentenced to up to eleven months and twenty-nine days in jail and a fine not to exceed $2,500.00. Additionally, persons convicted under this statute must perform at least one hundred (100) hours of community service work. The judge may also suspend driving privileges of a person convicted of purchasing alcohol for a minor. If the person has no driver license, the judge may increase the community service work up to a maximum of two hundred (200) hours.

If you have been charged with selling alcohol to a minor or purchasing beer for a minor, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The criminal defense attorneys at Baker Associates in Knoxville, Tennessee, have represented many clients charged with alcohol-related offenses, including sales of alcohol to a minor. If you or a relative has been charged with selling alcohol to a minor, DUI, or another alcohol-related offense, contact our office today for a free case consultation.

Sources: T.C.A. § 39-15-404; T.P.I. Crim. 21.03.