Minors & Alcohol
The University Police enforce all laws relating to the use of alcohol. Officers will issue citations, or place under arrest, persons in violation of these laws in accordance to the Nevada Revised Statutes, or the City of Reno Municipal Codes. Here is a brief overview of the law as it pertains to you.
Any person under the age of 21 years is prohibited from purchasing alcohol, having possession of alcohol or being found in consumption of alcohol. Consumption is determined by breath test or other investigative means approved for law enforcement.
You can be cited or arrested for Minor in Possession when:
- you purchase alcohol
- you are found holding a container of alcohol
- you exhibit signs or symptoms of having consumed alcohol
- there is alcohol in a vehicle you are in
- there is alcohol near enough to you to be considered yours
Penalties for alcohol violations for persons from 14 to 18 years of age:
- suspension of your driver's license for 90 days to 2 years or delay in obtaining a driver's license for 90 days to 2 years
- assignment to a work crew for 16 to 32 hours
- mandatory substance abuse assessment
Penalties for alcohol violations for persons from 18 to 20 years of age:
- criminal record for MIP arrest
- may be sentenced for up to 6 months in jail
- may be taken into civil protective custody
If you are too intoxicated to care for yourself you may be taken into Civil Protective Custody.
CPC DETENTION IS NOT AN ARREST AND IS NOT CONSIDERED AS A CRIMINAL RECORD.
Nevada Law also prohibits adults from furnishing alcohol to minors, purchasing alcohol for minors or allowing minors to serve alcohol to others. Adults may be liable for property damage or personal injury, and may be subject to criminal charges when they serve or allow service of alcohol to minors.
It is unlawful for minors to counterfeit or alter identification documents, or to use altered identification for any purpose considered illegal to minors.
For complete laws
regarding minors and alcohol, review the Nevada Revised Statutes at:
www.leg.state.nv.us/law or the City
of Reno Municipal Codes at:
www.cityofreno.com/municipal.
