State and Local Alcohol Laws

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The minimum legal age for the PURCHASE, POSSESSION, AND CONSUMPTION of alcoholic beverages is 21 years of age.

Law Penalties
TOBACCO - No one under the age of 21 may purchase, use, possess any tobacco, nicotine vapor, hemp intended for smoking, or alternative tobacco product (including Juuls). 1st violation – Fine not to exceed $100 and/or 20 hours of community service;
2nd and subsequent violations – Fine not to exceed $250 and/or 40 hours of community service.
Sale or distribution of tobacco, nicotine vapor, alternative tobacco products to those under 21. 1st violation - Up to $100 fine;
2nd violation - Up to $200 fine;
3rd and subsequent violations - Up to $500 fine.
MIP - Minor in Possession Underage Consumption or Possession Misdemeanor - Mandatory loss of license for six months (up to 1 year) AND mandatory minimum $500 fine or 50 hours community service.
Drinking while Driving Misdemeanor - Fine not to exceed $250.
Underage Drinking and Driving
Persons under 21 with a BAC of .02 or more; requires no signs of impaired driving.		 Misdemeanor - Suspension of driver’s license for one year AND either a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or performance of a mandatory minimum of 50 hours of community service. Attend VASAP educational program.
Driving while Intoxicated
.08 presumes intoxication, but can be convicted on a lower BAC. Also includes specified levels of certain drugs, including marijuana.		 Misdemeanor - Fine not to exceed $2,500 (mandatory minimum of $250) and/or jail for 12 months, plus loss of driver’s license for 1 year. Immediate impounding of car and 7-day license suspension upon arrest. Ignition interlock system may be required for restricted license after the first offense, and is mandatory after the second offense.
Drinking and Driving: BAC is .15 - .20 Mandatory jail time of 5 days plus above fines and penalties. Ignition interlock system required for restricted license.
Drinking and Driving: BAC is over .20 Mandatory jail time of 10 days plus above fines and penalties. Ignition interlock system required for restricted license.
Driving on a restricted license with BAC of .02 or more Misdemeanor - Fine not to exceed $2,500 and/or jail time for 12 months, plus loss of driver’s license for 1-3 years.
Drinking and Driving with a passenger 17 years or younger Misdemeanor - Fines of $500-$1,000. Mandatory minimum 5 days in jail, beyond penalties for DUI.
Implied Consent for BAC Breath Test: Unreasonable refusal to take a BAC breath test Loss of driver’s license for 12 months.
Use of Fake ID to purchase alcoholic beverages1 Misdemeanor - Mandatory loss of license for 6 months (up to 1 year) AND $500 mandatory minimum fine or 50 hours community service.
DIP – Drunk/Drinking in Public
Note: A public place includes any sidewalk adjoining a public street		 Misdemeanor - Fine not to exceed $250.
Purchase of alcoholic beverages for intoxicated individuals OR Purchasing, giving, providing or assisting in providing alcohol to person under age 21 Misdemeanor - Fine not to exceed $2,500 and/or jail up to 12 months AND mandatory license suspension for up to 1 year. Guilty if you have “reason to know.”
Purchase, possession, use, selling, or offering for sale or use powdered or crystalline alcohol Misdemeanor - Mandatory loss of license for 1 year AND mandatory minimum $500 fine (up to $2,500) or 50 hours community service; possible jail for up to 12 months.
Affirmative defense to prosecution for simple possession of illegal drugs or paraphernalia, public intoxication, or unlawful possession, purchase, or consumption of alcohol for reporting of overdose Affirmative defense to prosecution only applies if, in good faith, an individual seeks emergency medical attention for self or another person for a life-threatening condition resulting from the consumption or use of alcohol, a controlled substance, or combination of substances by reporting the overdose to 911, law enforcement or firefighter, or emergency services medical personnel. Individual must remain at the scene until law-enforcement responds and identify himself/herself.
City of Lexington Noise Ordinance (11pm-7am)
If heard from 50 ft. of premise		 1st visit by police - written warning
2nd visit by police - citation & court appearance - Fine + Court costs
Possession of Marijuana Under Age 21 and Over Age 21 with more than 1 oz.
Sale of Marijuana
Manufacture of Marijuana		 Civil offense – fine not greater than $25 (presumption that possession of 1 oz. or less is for personal use).
Sale of 1 oz. or less – 12 months jail and/or $2,500 fine.
Intent to distribute more than 1 oz. = Felony. 1-10 years in prison OR 12 months jail and/or $2,500 fine.
Manufacture/Distribution/Possession with intent to manufacture: Felony. 5-40 years in prison and/or $500,000 fine.
Paraphernalia Misdemeanor — Fine not to exceed $2,500 and/or jail time for 12 months
Possession of “cannabimimetic agents” Possession: 12 months jail and/or $2,500 fine.
Texting while Driving $125 for a first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense.
GHB (Date Rape Drug) Felony – 5-20 years prison and $100,000 fine.
Affirmative defense to prosecution for simple possession of illegal drugs or paraphernalia, public intoxication, or unlawful possession, purchase, or consumption of alcohol for reporting of overdose Affirmative defense to prosecution only applies if, in good faith, an individual seeks emergency medical attention for self or another person for a life-threatening condition resulting from the consumption or use of alcohol, a controlled substance, or combination of substances by reporting the overdose to 911, law enforcement or firefighter, or emergency services medical personnel, or renders emergency care or assistance to an individual experiencing an overdose while another individual seeks or obtains emergency medical attention. Individual must remain at the scene until law-enforcement responds and identify himself/herself.

1The Executive Committee has found the use of a fake ID constitutes a violation of the Honor System.

Campus Life

Jan Kaufman

Director of Health Promotion