What to Do If You Get Caught Drinking Underage in Utah

The law in Utah specifies that a person under the age of 21 may not have a measurable amount of alcohol in their body. If that is the case, they can be charged with the crime of “minor in possession.” This is especially troubling because the punishment isn’t even the lowest level of misdemeanor (class C).

Since the drinking age is 21, but you are considered an adult for most things in the eyes of the law at age 18, there are a lot of legal issues you may find yourself dealing with if you choose to drink in high school or college.

The crime of minor in possession is a class B misdemeanor, meaning if you are caught and charged, you could face a maximum penalty of up to 6 months in jail and/or be fined up to $1,000. Not to mention your driver’s license could be suspended. This is why it’s crucial to find an experienced lawyer to defend you if you are charged with underage drinking.

Experience You Can Trust Defending Your Underage Drinking Charges

The laws in Utah don’t only apply to having a measurable amount of alcohol in your body. You could also be charged with a class B misdemeanor if you are caught purchasing alcohol, attempting to purchase alcohol, soliciting another person to purchase alcohol, possessing alcohol, and the list goes on.

To protect your future, it’s important that you have an experienced lawyer who knows the most effective defense strategies to fight back against underage drinking charges. The legal team at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat is prepared to handle any and every kind of case involving underage drinking laws in Utah. Our expert team has experience protecting people against the following crimes (and more):

  • Misuse of alcohol by a minor
  • Minor in possession of alcohol
  • Minor purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol
  • Minor misrepresenting their age to obtain alcohol
  • Minor in possession of alcohol in a limousine or chartered bus
  • Unlawful admit/attempt to gain admit by minor in a bar
  • Unlawful use of proof of age (ID)

Preparing For Your Case

With nearly two decades of experience defending underage clients against all kinds of alcohol charges, you can be sure we will look into every detail of your case and prepare a solid defense. If you want to do some of your own research on Utah’s underage drinking laws and penalties, you can visit our minor in possession of alcohol page to find more information.

Finding A Defense Lawyer for Your Underage Drinking Charges In Utah

Whether you need help with a class B misdemeanor from an alcohol possession or consumption charge or for more severe felony charges—including drinking and driving—the lawyers at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat will work hard to defend your rights and help you navigate the criminal justice system and get you back on track for a successful future.

Give us a call at (801) 532-5297 so we can start working on your case today.

More Articles

Four Questions and Answers about Hate Crimes in Utah
With tensions rising in seemingly every area of life, it’s not a surprise that criminal charges for hate crimes have also increased. According to statistics from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, there were 46 hate crime incidents in Utah in 2020. In 2019 there were only 18. One of the major factors in determining whether a crime is charged as a hate crime is intent. Fighting against accusations based on your intent can be difficult, but the expert criminal defense lawyers at Brown, Bradshaw, and Moffat can help. Below are three questions you may have about hate crimes and the associated charges in Utah.
Read More →
Violent Crimes: How Do I Protect My Rights?
In 2020, violent crimes in Salt Lake City increased by more than 20 percent according to the Salt Lake Police Department. While there are likely many reasons for the increase, it’s no surprise that the pandemic hasn’t helped. Tensions are running high and people may find it more difficult to think before they act. If you are dealing with criminal charges for a violent crime, the lawyers at Brown, Bradshaw, and Moffat can help you protect your rights throughout the criminal process.
Read More →
law office in Utah
What Is the BAC Limit for Driving in Utah?
In almost every state across the US, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) you can legally operate a motor vehicle with is the same–0.08. However, that is well above the legal limit in Utah. In the Beehive State, it is not legal to drive a vehicle if you have a BAC of 0.05 or greater.
Read More →

Defend your case with the best criminal defense attorneys in Utah

Get a confidential case evaluation

Our office will contact you as soon as possible to arrange for you to discuss the facts of your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah.​ The use of this form for communication with our personnel does not establish an attorney-client relationship.