Underage drinking is a serious crime in Illinois that can have severe consequences for both minors and adults. An adult is generally forbidden to give alcohol to a minor and can face prison and fines for doing so. Furthermore, Illinois’ Social Host Law does not require that alcohol be given to the minor directly. Underage drinking on your property can also be considered a criminal offense, and parents can in some cases be held responsible for their own child drinking under 21. If you are being accused of enabling underage drinking, contact an Illinois criminal defense attorney right away to understand your legal options.
What Is the Social Host Law in Illinois?
Illinois has a Social Host Law that punishes adults who knowingly permit or authorize underage drinking in their homes. Importantly, the law does not require adults to provide the alcohol or give express permission to drink it. Even passively allowing it to happen can be considered a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $500. If underage drinking results in serious bodily harm or death — such as if the minor drove drunk and killed someone — the adult can be charged with a Class 4 felony, which carries a prison sentence of one to three years and fines up to $25,000.