Giving alcohol to minors legal?

Question

I was just at a family gathering for New Years with family from Ohio ( I live in Michigan) and we got into a conversation about underage drinking. The family member from Ohio stated that there was a law that said that as long as the parent physically hands the alcohol to minors then it is legal. Everyone from Michigan thought that was outrageous and he was wrong.
I've searched for it and the only thing I can find that has anything on that is in reference to Drug Free Alliance. This program appears to only be located in Ohio. We argued for about 20 minutes on this so I just wanted to know if anyone knew anything more about the Drug Free Alliance or if there was a law or anything?

Answer 1

As far as I know, what you are describing is completely illegal... and I'm from Ohio.

**I also remember being able to drink at home if my parents gave it to me (I'm 26 now, this was about 10 years ago). But a friend of mine has an 18 year old son and a police officer told her that if she gives him alcohol and gets caught, she will be the one arrested, even if he doesn't leave her property.

Answer 2

Any adult, over 21, who 'hands' alcohol to a minor (someone under 21) can be arrested for 'Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor'! Tell your 'Ohio' relatives they are WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

"Some States provide an exception when alcoholic beverages are furnished to a minor by a parent/guardian or spouse. Some States specify that the spouse must be of legal age, while others do not.

[ed. I don't get the second sentence: are they saying that if a couple of 16 year olds are married, one of them could give the other one a beer?]

In some of these States, the exception for family members applies only if the furnishing occurs in a specified location, e.g., all private locations, private residences only, or in the home of a parent or guardian only. No State has an exception for furnishing on private property by anyone other than a family member.

Some States also allow exceptions for educational purposes (e.g., students in culinary schools), religious purposes (sacramental use of alcoholic beverages), or medical purposes. "

Answer 4

It's illegal and it's called contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Answer 5

Some states which includes Ohio do allow minors to drink on private property with the parent or guardian consent. Some allow it with a family member's consent.

Answer 6

LOL....They're just wishing that was the law !

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL ! ! !!

Answer 7

Giving alcohol to minors is illegal. its a misdemeanor.
every minor you give it to it is eith a $500- $2000 fine ///PER MINOR

Answer 8

It is legal in almost all states for a minor to drink on private property if under the immediate physical control of their own parent.

IF, however, the minor becomes sick, or inebriated, or gets injured or into trouble, the parent WILL be liable for the civil consequences, and could be charged with child endangerment.

So, serving your teen a glass of wine with dinner? Perfectly legal.
Letting him get blitzed at a party? Child endangerment.

This is, incidentally, the only country in the world where this question would even be considered.

The citizens of no other country in the civilized world would even think of accepting the bizarre concept that the government is better qualified to control kids than their own parents.


Richard

Answer 9

Drinking if you are under age is illegal, regardless of where you got it from, in every state. An adult giving booze to a minor can get in trouble, even if it's the parents.

Answer 10

I don't know the law, but I also heard it was legal for adults to supervise their children's underage alcohol consumption, but only their own children. My dad gave me some beer a few times while I was still underage at parties my parents threw. I've been to several high school graduation parties where parents allowed their son or daughter to drink, also.