Underage Drinking: The Legal Consequences

It is well-known that in today's society, drinking alcohol while under the age of 21 is accepted and often encouraged.


Officer Jessica Martin of the Michigan StateUniversity Police Department said there are a number of legal consequences that people under the age of 21 can face if caught drinking alcohol.

Ever heard of an "MIP"? This stands for Minor In Possession, a misdemeanor offense that results in a ticket that can cost the offender up to $100 and may come with many other unwanted and inconvenient consequences. 

Completion of a number of community service hours or a substance abuse treatment course decided upon by a judge or magistrate, up to 93 days of jail time and loss of driving privileges are also possible consequences. 

The judge acting on the case has the final say on the consequences underage drinker faces. The judge’s decision ultimately relies on the circumstances of each individual case. He or she takes into consideration the number of times the offender has been arrested and other factors, according to Martin. 

A stay in the “drunk tank” is also a possible consequence for underage drinkers.  The Collins English dictionary defines “drunk tank” as “a large police cell used for detaining drunks overnight.”

Depending on how intoxicated the arrested person is, he or she can be detained in the drunk tank for whatever length of time it takes for them to sober up.

People are not typically thrown into the drunk tank unless he or she is acting obnoxiously or in a way that seems dangerous to people around them or to themselves, or if the person refuses to do a Preliminary Breath Test, according to Martin.