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Maryland Underage Drinking and Drug Law

The following provides the specific laws and policies enacted by the State of Maryland regarding the use and furnishing of alcohol by and to youth under age 21. Most youth access alcohol through a trusted adult. The penalties are quite strict for both the youth and adults, as outlined below:

Laws Pertaining to Youth

It is illegal for anyone to drive or attempt to drive a motor vehicle with 0.02 percent or more blood alcohol (that's less than one drink!).
If caught, a minor can be fined of $500, and his or her license may be suspended for one year
Youth under age 21, found in possession of alcohol, are in a car with alcohol or are where alcohol is serve can receive a civil citation.
Parents of youth under 18, will be notified, and fined up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for a second offense.
Youth 18-20 years old, are required to appear in court and may be fined up to $500 for first offense, up to $1,000 if second offense and may be required to do community service hours or placed on.
If a false I.D. or someone else's I.D. is presented to purchase an alcoholic beverage or to gain entry to a bar where alcohol is sold, the I.D. holder may receive a civil citation and face the above penalties and receive a traffic summons for possession or displaying a false or altered driver's license. If a traffic summons is received, a court appearance is mandatory along with legal representation. Those found may be jailed for up to 2 months and/or fined up to $500 and y may receive 12 points on their driver's license.)
Possession of intoxicating beverages on a school grounds, can result in a suspended drivers' license for thirty to ninety days.
A legal judgment will become part of a permanent record. This may be questioned in job or college applications or clearance tests for certain professions.

Laws Pertaining to Adults

It is illegal for adults to allow underage drinking on property which they own or lease.
If you co-signed your child's application for a driver's license, you can contact the Motor Vehicle Administration and have the license revoked.
An adult found guilty of obtaining alcohol for a minor or allowing a minor other than their own child to drink in their home can be fined $500. If they charged admission, they were also selling alcohol without a license.
If an adult is convicted of contributing to delinquency or a violation by a minor (a criminal charge), the adult could be fined up to $2,500 and spend three years in jail. (The minor need not be convicted or found delinquent for the adult to be held responsible).
Selling, issuing, or offering for sale blank or incorrect age identification cards can result in a $2,000 fine and up to two years in jail for each card sold.
Possessing a beer keg without a registration affixed, removing the registration form, or permitting an individual under 21 to consume the contents of a keg can result in a $500 fine for the first offense.
Parents are responsible for their child's behavior. Parents can be required to pay up to $10,000 for damage done by their child.
If someone is injured as a result of a child's drinking, the child and his or her parents can be sued. Adults can also be sued for allowing minors to drink in their home, or for injury resulting from what they allowed to take place.

It is illegal for adults to allow underage drinking on property which they own or lease.
If you co-signed your child's application for a driver's license, you can contact the Motor Vehicle Administration and have the license revoked.
An adult found guilty of obtaining alcohol for a minor or allowing a minor other than their own child to drink in their home can be fined $500. If they charged admission, they were also selling alcohol without a license.
If an adult is convicted of contributing to delinquency or a violation by a minor (a criminal charge), the adult could be fined up to $2,500 and spend three years in jail. (The minor need not be convicted or found delinquent for the adult to be held responsible).
Selling, issuing, or offering for sale blank or incorrect age identification cards can result in a $2,000 fine and up to two years in jail for each card sold.
Possessing a beer keg without a registration affixed, removing the registration form, or permitting an individual under 21 to consume the contents of a keg can result in a $500 fine for the first offense.
Parents are responsible for their child's behavior. Parents can be required to pay up to $10,000 for damage done by their child.
If someone is injured as a result of a child's drinking, the child and his or her parents can be sued. Adults can also be sued for allowing minors to drink in their home, or for injury resulting from what they allowed to take place.