Am I responsible for underage drinkers if I'm 21?

[stick]

I have a couple scenarios I'm curious about now that I'm 21 and my brother and his friends....are not (all 18+ however).

Scenario #1: We're at a party at a random apartment, and the cops come. Who gets busted? Am I responsible for everyone since I'm 21 even if i didnt buy the beer? Assume there are other 21+ year olds there who bought the beer.

Scenario #2: Same as scenario #1, however assume I am the only 21 year old even if I didnt buy the beer. Does this change anything?

Overall, I'm trying to understand the level of responsibility I have being the only person of age and drinking around them. Could I get screwed even if I didnt buy anything? Obviously buying stuff does put me at risk, but would cops just assume I was the one who bought it since I'm 21? Any advice would be appreciated as I'm curious what the possible outcomes could be at my age of hanging out with underage kids.

 

[fyleow]

Originally posted by: stick
Any advice would be appreciated as I'm curious what the possible outcomes could be at my age of hanging out with underage kids.

It's simple, don't hang out with drunk underage kids. You WILL get into trouble.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Not sure since I'm 15, but if you got it from someone who illegaly bought it, someone that is under 21, then you're at fault.

 

[edro]

They are gonna assume that you purchased the beer. If you can prove that you don't own the presmises, and didnt buy the beer, you shouldn't have a problem. You could just say that you thought everyone was 21

 

[prvteye2003]

Originally posted by: edro13
They are gonna assume that you purchased the beer. If you can prove that you don't own the presmises, and didnt buy the beer, you shouldn't have a problem. You could just say that you thought everyone was 21

He doesn't have the burden of having to prove anything. They have to prove that he bought it and served it. He could easily get away with it if he was innocent.

 

[Chaotic42]

I got yelled at for being 18 and having a 17 year old friend drinking. If you're 21 and don't drink, don't get anywhere near them if they're still drinking.

The police aren't playing around tonight.

 

[rgwalt]

If you didn't buy, and you don't own/rent/live in the premises where the drinking is occuring, then you are not responsible. However, it will not stop the police from arresting you if they suspect that you are involved.

If you don't want to be arrested, don't hang out with underage drinkers.

R

 

[MegaloManiaK]

Originally posted by: prvteye2003

Originally posted by: edro13
They are gonna assume that you purchased the beer. If you can prove that you don't own the presmises, and didnt buy the beer, you shouldn't have a problem. You could just say that you thought everyone was 21

He doesn't have the burden of having to prove anything. They have to prove that he bought it and served it. He could easily get away with it if he was innocent.

True but when taking in all the underaged people are questioned the cops will offer them a lighter punishment if they rat on you.

 

[Chelsey]

You'd get in trouble with both scenarios.

 

[FoBoT]

you like the prison?

 

[AlienCraft]

CA has a new law on the books holding people responsible for damages occuring as a result of underage drinking on property they own / rent / control...
Gonna Google that for a link....

 

[TeflonMan1]

The way it was explained to me is even an underage person can get a contributing to minor if there is beer being contributed to minors at their residence. So anotherwords dont let minors drink at your place. Now assuming you arent the one living there than you probably should be fairly safe since the people living there would get the contributing to minor. I know this applies in Texas atleast.