Nevada Laws on Consumption or Possession of Alcohol by Minors

In the state of Nevada, certain alcohol-related offenses are illegal under Chapter 202 of Title 15. Chapter 202 is the chapter of Nevada’s code that criminalizes conduct which is considered damaging or harmful to public health and safety. Within Chapter 202, there is a subsection identifying the alcohol-related behaviors that have been made illegal.

One of the offenses that have been made a crime under Chapter 202 relates to the purchase, consumption, or possession of alcoholic beverages by a minor. If someone who is under the legal drinking age is accused of violating this law, the consequences can be serious. Parents of young people accused of violating the law, or young adults who are facing charges, should reach out to a Vegas criminal defense attorney for help in fighting accusations of wrongdoing.

LV Criminal Defense can help you or your child to fight to avoid a criminal record and to reduce possible penalties associated with a charge of purchase, consumption, or possession of alcoholic beverages by a minor. To find out more about how our legal team can help you, give us a call today.

Nevada Revised Statute section 202.020: Purchase, Consumption, or Possession of Alcoholic Beverages by Minor

According to Nevada Revised Statute section 202.020, it is illegal for any person who is under the age of 21 to buy any alcoholic beverage or to consume any alcoholic beverages in a saloon, resort, or other location where fermented liquors, wines, spiritous, or malts are sold. It is also illegal for any person under the age of 21 to possess any alcoholic beverage in public.

The crime of possession, consumption, or purchase of alcoholic beverages by minors is considered to be a misdemeanor offense in the state of Nevada. N.R.S. 202.020 also stipulates that the state statute does not preclude local government entities from enacting stricter rules than those put in place by the federal government.

The statute also establishes exceptions to the rules found within N.R.S. 200.020. For example, the law does not prohibit possession of alcohol by a minor for an established religious purpose, nor does it prohibit a minor from possessing alcohol in the presence of that minor’s parent, spouse, or guardian who is at least 21 years of age.

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Possession in private clubs or establishments and possession in accordance with a prescription that has been issued by a licensed prescriber with authority to issue prescriptions are also not prohibited. Finally, it does not prohibit the selling, handling, serving or transporting of any alcoholic beverages by a person who does these activities in the course of his or her lawful employment by a licensed manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer of alcoholic beverages.

Outside of these exceptions, however, minors can get into serious legal trouble and can face far-reaching consequences if they are found with alcohol in a public place or if they try to buy alcohol and end up being charged with a misdemeanor crime.

Getting Help from a Vegas Criminal Defense Attorney

A Vegas criminal defense attorney at LV Criminal Defense can provide help to young people and their families after someone under the age of 21 has been arrested in connection with the unlawful purchase, consumption, or possession of alcoholic beverages.

Having a misdemeanor criminal charge on your record could affect you in profound ways as you move forward with your life, impacting where you can go to school and what jobs are available to you. You don’t want to be saddled with a criminal record before you are even a legal adult, so get the help you need to try to fight charges connected with alcohol possession by a minor. Our legal team is here and ready to provide the help and support you need, so give us a call today.

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