Underage Drinking
G.L. c. 138, § 34C — a fine, and a 90 day license suspension, under twenty-one
A fine and ninety days without a license. In Massachusetts, a person under twenty-one who, without a parent or legal guardian present, knowingly possesses, transports or carries alcohol is fined up to fifty dollars for a first offense and up to one hundred and fifty dollars after that. The court reports the conviction, and the registrar suspends the person's license for ninety days.
A person between eighteen and twenty-one who handles alcohol in the course of their job is exempt. An officer may arrest for the offense without a warrant.
Selling, delivering or furnishing alcohol to a person under 21 is punished by a fine of up to $2,000, up to one year in jail, or both. Furnishing includes knowingly allowing someone under 21, other than one's own children or grandchildren, to possess alcohol on property one owns or controls.
Sources for this section (2)
- G.L. c. 138, § 34C — Minors and alcohol
- G.L. c. 138, § 34 — Furnishing alcohol to persons under twenty one
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.