Underage Drinking Penalties and How to Protect Your Record in PA

An underage drinking charge can disrupt your education, career prospects, and future opportunities. Pennsylvania takes these offenses seriously and imposes penalties that extend far beyond a simple fine. Schedule a consultation with an experienced Harrisburg DUI criminal defense lawyer at Mette Law. Our firm has over five decades of experience securing dismissals and reduced charges in underage drinking cases.

Underage Drinking Offenses in PA

Pennsylvania prohibits anyone under 21 years old from purchasing, consuming, possessing, or transporting alcohol. Law enforcement officers can charge minors with underage drinking violations in numerous circumstances:

• Possessing alcohol at a party or public location
• Attempting to purchase alcohol from a store or bar
• Consuming alcoholic beverages
• Transporting alcohol in a vehicle
• Misrepresenting age to obtain alcohol
• Being under the influence of alcohol

Penalties for Underage Drinking in PA

Under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6308, minors who violate Pennsylvania’s underage drinking laws face significant consequences that escalate with each offense. First-time offenders may believe the penalties are minor, but the impact on their future can be substantial:

• Fines up to $500. Courts impose monetary penalties that increase with subsequent violations and add court costs to the total amount owed.
• License suspension for 90 days. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation suspends driving privileges even if the offense did not involve a vehicle.
• Community service requirements. Judges often order minors to complete service hours as part of their sentence.
• Mandatory alcohol education programs. Offenders must attend classes addressing the dangers of underage drinking and substance abuse.

Second-, third-, and subsequent offenses carry increasingly severe penalties under Pennsylvania law. Repeat offenders face fines up to $1,000, license suspensions of up to two years, and potential jail time for continued violations.

Fake ID’s

Using a fake identification card to purchase alcohol constitutes a separate criminal offense in Pennsylvania. Conviction can result in additional fines, extended license suspension, and a misdemeanor charge on your record.

Permanent Record

An underage drinking conviction creates a criminal record that appears on background checks conducted by employers, landlords, and educational institutions. Many young people fail to realize how a single mistake can follow them for years.

Diversionary Programs (ARD)

Pennsylvania offers Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition programs that allow eligible first-time offenders to avoid a permanent conviction. Successful completion of ARD requirements can result in dismissal of charges and expungement of your arrest record.

Defense Strategies for Underage Drinking

A strong defense requires examining every aspect of your arrest and the evidence against you. At Mette Law, we evaluate multiple angles when building your case:

• Challenging the legality of the traffic stop or search
• Questioning the accuracy of testing methods
• Disputing constructive possession claims
• Examining witness credibility
• Identifying procedural violations by law enforcement

Speak to a Qualified Harrisburg DUI Lawyer Now

Delaying legal representation gives prosecutors more time to build their case against you while critical evidence disappears. Contact Mette Law at 717-232-5000 to schedule a consultation with a DUI defense attorney who will protect your rights and your future.