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Binge Drinking Laws in Delaware

In the United States., the government sets the legal drinking age at twenty-one years of age but statistics show that binge drinking amongst this group is significant. Delaware also sets its legal age for the consumption of alcohol at twenty-one. In some states, it is a civil offense and in some states it is a criminal offense. Many states including few near Delaware do not exactly forbid the underage drinking and in a large group of states there are family member and location exceptions to their underage drinking laws.

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Delaware Laws

Delaware law does makes exceptions for:

religious
medical
employment and
private club possession

of alcohol those under twenty-one. This is true in the majority of states that permit family member and location exceptions in their underage possession laws.

Delaware Between Binge Drinking And Underage Drinking

However, binge drinking is becoming a matter of increasing concern with law makers, with a large focus on colleges, universities and fraternities on these campuses. A lot of research and studies have been done to show the harm of binge drinking and it association with underage drinking.

Delaware Underage Drinking Laws

Example of a Delaware state statutes on underage drinking is the states Code 904, that states "any person under the age of 21 years who knowingly makes a false statement that he is over the age of 21 to any person engaged in the sale of alcoholic liquor for the purpose of obtaining liquor, shall, in addition to the payment of costs, be fined".

Penalties Under The Law

If someone in caught for the first time and convicted of the above statute the punishment is, not less than $ 100 fine nor more than $ 500 fine. If this fine is not paid the minor could be incarcerated for a month.

Multiple Offenders

For multiple offenders the laws say that the minor must pay, not less than $ 500 fine nor more than $ 1,000 fine. If this fine is not paid they could spend 2 months in jail plus the fine must be paid. on failure to pay such fine and costs shall be imprisoned for 60 days.

Selling Alcohol To Minors

Selling any alcoholic liquor to minors could get you a fine of not less than $ 250 nor more than $ 500.

Impact On Driving Privileges

If someone in Delaware is under the age of twenty-one years, and is caught with alcoholic liquor on their person or in their vehicle, or drinks or has drank alcoholic liquor, their Delaware state driver's license will be suspended for

a month if this is the first time they were convicted
two months but not more than 6 months for the next offense

If the minor does not have a state driver's license, the penalties is a $100 monetary fine for the first conviction and between $200 and $500 for the second.

Binge Drinking Is A Concern In Delaware

If you are a resident of Delaware and binge drinking is a concern of your, get a hold of your state representative and ask if he can initiate measure to help curb the problem.