Underage Drinking
RCW 66.44.270 — under 21, possession is a gross misdemeanor, and so is supplying it
In Washington, it is a gross misdemeanor for a person under 21 to possess, consume or otherwise acquire liquor, and a gross misdemeanor for anyone to sell, give or supply liquor to a person under 21 or let them drink it on premises they control, including a car or boat.
Being in public showing the effects is its own offense. It is unlawful for a person under 21 to be in a public place, or in a vehicle in a public place, while exhibiting the effects of having consumed liquor: the odor of liquor on the breath together with a container nearby or signs of being under the influence. It does not apply in the presence of a parent or guardian.
Sources for this section (1)
- RCW 66.44.270 — Furnishing liquor to minors; possession by persons under 21
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.