A friend bought a drink for a minor (age 20) at a bar in Texas. The bouncer saw them and took his Driver's license (which is from Illinois), made a phone call and copied his ID. They did not take ID information from the minor, nor from any other member of the party. My friend was told he would 'hear from someone.' What sort of legal action do you think he faces?
2006-06-29 12:18:52 · 16 answers · asked by aj813 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
It really depends on the law in Texas. "Citizen arrests" are legal in all 50 states for felonies; however, for misdemeanors the law varies greatly in each state.
2006-06-29 12:24:30 · answer #1 · answered by cranura 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he bought an alcoholic drink for someone that is not of legal age to drink then they will be prosecuted. That wasn't a smart thing to do with the minor with them. Dude next time the person that isn't old enought to drink waits at the table or something. Why did the guy give the bouncer his ID in the first place? Once you show your ID to get in a bar then you shouldn't have to show it again unless it's to the police. He sat himself up for that charge. Then he may get off scot free. Because if TX is anything like Savannah, GA, minors aren't allowed in bars and establishments that serve alcoholic beverages.
2006-06-29 19:25:12 · answer #2 · answered by FlawlessKarat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well based on what I have seen...there is not enough $$ available to get me to buy a drink for a minor. TOO many things can go wrong and the laws are there for a reason. Underage drinking can get the bar in trouble, the buyer in trouble and the minor in trouble. Worst case - minor and friend end up dead. IL age is 21 - can't say they didn't know. I wouldn't think an officer has to witness it - a bouncer did and has proof. Some areas there's pretty severe penalties for serving underage drinkers - bouncer is practicing CYA
2006-06-29 19:28:06 · answer #3 · answered by Jan H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Limited, though he could face misdemeanor charges of supplying alcohol to a minor. Though, if the minor was in the bar, unless there was some way for your friend to know, he could claim that he thought the minor was twenty-one.. At that point, it becomes the bouncer's or bartender's responsibility to be checking ID's.
T.
2006-06-29 19:24:49 · answer #4 · answered by Molecularfallout 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, eyewitnesses can play an effect in the outcome. Police will prob. come to the address on the id or trace the numbers to the current address and it will prob be up to the cop to use his good judgement. If an arrest takes place, the bouncer and any other witnesses will have to testify if he needs to go to court and decides to fight it. You dont know if he told the person on the other line the id number or address, so its hard to say what will happen. i just wouldnt ever go back to that bar again.
2006-06-29 19:25:54 · answer #5 · answered by sensory deprivation 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES - if there was a witness, the witness does not have to be a police officer.
However, if no ID information was taken from the minor - it will not be possible to prove in court that the person was a minor, will it?
Consult a competent lawyer.
2006-06-30 13:55:24 · answer #6 · answered by me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If anything, someone may wag a finger at him. It's doubtful anything further will occur. Your friend isn't a big enough fish for the police or prosecutors to worry about. If anything came of this, I would be surprised, but maybe a fine.
2006-06-29 19:30:14 · answer #7 · answered by MillwoodsGal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whoever bought the drink can get in trouble and the minor can get a ticket for it
2006-06-29 19:28:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
none- the bouncer was running a game of intimidation, the info will just give the cops something to use at a later date with another butt ream.
2006-06-29 19:26:14 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never give anybody my I.D. and Im from Illinois .unless in this case, they are seeing if im old enough to get in . To answer your question , none because its a misdemeanor and its just not worth it
2006-06-30 01:25:43 · answer #10 · answered by pistol pete 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋