The purchase and consumption of alcohol is a right
extended by the State of New Jersey. The legal age of purchase and
consumption of alcoholic beverages in the State of New Jersey is 21.
Possession or Consumption of Alcohol in Public Places
by the Underaged (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15)
Any person under the legal age to purchase alcoholic
beverages, who knowingly possesses without legal authority, or who
knowingly consumes any alcoholic beverage in any school, public
conveyance, public place, place of public assembly, or motor vehicle, is
guilty of a disorderly persons offense and shall be fined not less than
$500.
Purchase of Alcohol by/for the Underaged (N.J.S.A.
33:1-81)
An underaged person who purchases or attempts to
purchase alcohol, or who misstates his/her age, or a person of legal age
who purchases alcohol for an underaged person faces a conviction of a
disorderly persons offense, which incurs a fine of not less than $500 and
loss of license for 6 months to 1 year. In addition, underaged persons may
be required to participate in a state-sponsored alcohol education program.
Serving an Alcoholic Beverage to a Minor (N.J.S.A.
2C:33-17)
Anyone who purposely or knowingly offers or serves or
makes available an alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal age for
consuming alcoholic beverages or entices that person to drink alcohol, is
committing a disorderly persons offense and is subject to a fine of $1,000
if convicted.
Transfer of ID (N.J.S.A. 33:1-81-7)
Someone who is underaged and uses another person's ID
card to obtain alcohol, or someone of legal age who gives his/her ID card
to an underaged person so that he/she can obtain alcohol, faces a fine of
up to $300 or up to 60 days in jail.
False ID (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1)
A person who knowingly sells, offers, or exposes for
sale a document that simulates a driver's license or other documents
issued by a governmental agency and that could be used to verify a
person's identity or age is guilty of a crime of the second degree. There
is a fine of $1,000 if convicted.
