Alabama

Possession is prohibited with NO EXCEPTIONS.

Consumption is prohibited with NO EXCEPTIONS.

Internal possession is not explicitly prohibited.

Purchase is prohibited, but youth MAY PURCHASE for law enforcement purposes.

Notes:

In Alabama, the law enforcement exception to the prohibition against underage purchase of alcohol is contained in an administrative regulation, Ala. Admin. Code r. 20-X-13-.01. APIS was only able to research this Alabama regulation back to October 16, 1998. Based on the limited availability of historic administrative regulations, APIS cannot conclude this exception did not exist prior to this date in this or another regulation.

Furnishing is prohibited with NO EXCEPTIONS.

Beer: 19 for servers and 21 for bartenders

Wine: 19 for servers and 21 for bartenders

Spirits: 19 for servers and 21 for bartenders

Condition(s) that must be met in order for an underage person to sell alcoholic beverages:

• manager/supervisor is present

Beer: Not Specified

Wine: Not Specified

Spirits: 21

Condition(s) that must be met in order for an underage person to sell alcoholic beverages:

• manager/supervisor is present

Notes:

A minor employee of an off-premises retail licensee may handle, transport or sell beer or table wine, provided there is an adult employee in attendance at all times.

Provision(s) targeting minors:

• Use of a false ID to obtain alcohol is a criminal offense
• No driver's license suspension procedure

Provision(s) targeting retailers:

• No statutory affirmative defense - statutes do not provide an affirmative defense related to retailer's belief that the minor was 21 years of age or older

BAC limit: 0.02 - a BAC level above the limit is per se (conclusive) evidence of a violation.

Applies to drivers under age 21.

Registration is not required.

Type(s) of violation leading to driver's license suspension, revocation, or denial:

• Underage purchase
• Underage possession
• Underage consumption

Use/lose penalties apply to minors under age 21

Authority to impose driver's license sanction

• mandatory

Length of suspension/revocation:

• Minimum: 90 days
• Maximum: 180 days

Social host law is specifically limited to underage drinking parties.

Action by underage guest that triggers violation: Possession Consumption

Property type(s) covered by liability law:

• Residence
• Outdoor
• Other

Standard for hosts' knowledge or action regarding the party: KNOWLEDGE - host must have actual knowledge of the occurrence

Preventive action by the host negates the violation (see note).

Notes:

Alabama's provision requires that the adult social host be in attendance at the gathering or party in order for a violation to occur. The "preventive action" provision in Alabama requires the prosecution to prove that the host failed to take preventive action.