Minor in Possession
7 V.S.A. § 656 — from age 12 to 21, a civil violation that starts with a diversion program
A person 12 or older and under 21 may not lie about age to get alcohol, possess it to drink, or drink it, or knowingly possess one ounce or less of cannabis. Doing so is a civil violation, and the person is first referred to the Court Diversion Program for the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program.
Who handles this in Vermont: Vermont Bar Association, Find a Lawyer; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Vermont directory.
| If the program is not completed | Penalty |
|---|---|
| If the program is not completedFirst offense | Penalty$300 and a 30 day license suspension |
| If the program is not completedSecond or later | PenaltyUp to $600 and a 90 day license suspension |
Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more under 21 has its own penalties in the same section. A particular ticket is a question for a licensed Vermont attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- 7 V.S.A. § 656 — Person 12 years of age or older and under 21 years of age misrepresenting age, procuring, possessing, or consuming alcoholic beverages
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Vermont attorney.