The Legal Consequences Of Giving Minors Alcohol

Homecoming. Halloween. Thanksgiving. Winter Formal. For high school teens, the celebration never ends — there’s always a big event happening somewhere. And unfortunately, during these large parties, minors usually want what they can’t have: booze. 

But minors don’t exactly understand why it’s so important to abstain from alcohol. They exhibit what’s called an “invincibility complex” where they believe nothing can harm them. Excessive drinking only further leads to poor decision making and can result in serious life-altering consequences including brain shrinkage or death.That’s why Arkansas law enforcement enacted strict laws to prevent minors from obtaining alcohol and serious consequences for adults who sell to teenagers. 

Why It’s Important To Keep Minors From Drinking

There’s a lot of fake glitter and glamour surrounding underage drinking, with the loudest depictions being popular movies and social media accounts. Some parents encourage this behavior, believing that all minors indulge, so “it’s better in my home than random strangers.” 

But no environment allowing adolescents to drink is safe. Alcohol alters an individual’s brain chemistry, but especially so when consumed as the body and brain are still growing. Alcohol intoxication naturally impacts a person’s impulse control, resulting in poor choices. Teenagers already struggle with impulse control due to the throes of puberty, so drinking alcohol can result in a chaotic storm of bad choices. 

But impulsivity isn’t the only concern for minors, alcohol consumption also impacts an individual’s memory. Specifically, the brain’s memory center (the hippocampus) can shrink in people who abused alcohol as a teenager. Unlike adults, teenagers are still actively learning about life’s essentials: reading, writing, problem-solving, etc. Alcohol consumption isn’t just one night of bad decisions or broken bones for teens — it could seriously impact their intellectual development forever. 

Arkansas’ Liquor Laws Regarding Selling To A Minor

Arkansas liquor laws regarding minors cover two distinct areas: giving a minor alcohol and selling a minor alcohol. 

Under the law, no one is permitted to give a minor any beverage with 0.5% to 5% alcohol content. The only exception to this law is during a religious ceremony or cultural rite of passage. If found in violation, an individual is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. If the individual reoffends within three years, they are guilty of a Class D felony. 

Selling underage children alcohol is different and comes with heftier legal consequences. This is why it is imperative to check an ID before completing a liquor transaction. Making an error once can result in a Class D felony. Making the same mistake twice within five years time? Class C felony, fines, and possible imprisonment. 

The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division is responsible for issuing penalties to businesses who sell to minors. Local businesses need to review their guidelines before deciding to sell alcoholic beverages at their establishment. 

Landed In Legal Hot Water? Call Your Local Arkansas Lawyer

If you need a criminal defense lawyer or a business law attorney, you don’t need to look far — Hickey & Hull’s team works across the state, helping clients in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Russellville, and Mena. 

Setting up your initial consultation is simple. Chat with our available agent on our website or call (479) 434-2414 to get started. Things are about to get better with Hickey & Hull by your side.