Oklahoma Alcohol Laws for Underage Drinkers
Oklahoma has a number of alcohol laws for underage drinkers. If you are under age 21 and planning to drink or charged with an alcohol-related crime, or if you are a parent worried about your child’s drinking, learning about these laws could be very important.
Minors Can’t Buy or Possess Alcohol – Even Low-Point Beer
Anyone under age 21 cannot purchase alcohol in any public place in the state, even if it is a low-alcohol-content beer or wine cooler. Even being in possession of alcohol in public places is illegal. (37 O.S. §§ 241, 163.2(1).) This means if a minor is sitting in the park drinking low-point beer with over-21 friends, the minor can get arrested by the police.
Minors and Establishments that Serve Alcohol
No one under age 21 can enter an Oklahoma bar or club that sells alcohol as its main purpose or business. Note that many restaurants serve alcohol, but they allow children and young adults inside because their main business is serving food. (37 O.S. § 246(A), (B).)
In addition, people under age 18 cannot work in any bar, restaurant, or other business that sells or serves alcohol. The only exception is if alcohol sales are 25% or less of gross sales. If a server is between 19 and 20 years old, he or she has to work only in the non-bar area. (37 O.S. §§ 241(B), 243(A), (B), 246(B).) The server can handle or sell alcohol too, as long as the sales are incidental to the job of serving, bussing tables, or similar. (37 O.S. § 243(B), (C), (D).)
Under Parental Supervision
Oklahomans under age 21 may purchase, possess, or consume low-point beer if directly supervised by a parent or guardian, and not in any establishment licensed to sell alcohol. Having a beer at home with a parent or when at dinner with family at a relative’s house is fine. The underage drinker just cannot drink at a restaurant or public place.
Penalties
Penalties for underage drinkers who violate Oklahoma alcohol laws can include driver’s license revocation, fines, community service sentences, and even misdemeanor charges if you enter a bar. (37 O.S. §§ 245, 246, et seq.)
Charged with violating Oklahoma’s alcohol laws? Seek out a criminal defense attorney with the know-how to tackle your case the right way from the start. Clint Patterson, Esq., of Patterson Law Firm, a former Tulsa prosecutor, now teaches other attorneys and law enforcement about sobriety testing techniques and defends Oklahoma drivers charged with DUIs. To schedule a case evaluation, visit Patterson Law Firm online or call Clint’s office at (918) 550-9175.