Florida drinking laws

[Forever42]

It wasn't really directed at you, auntpolly, but the other people who are saying to go ahead and order anyway, knowing the law.

I hear the crazy stories too, unfortunately. At one of the fraternities here at U of Central Florida, someone got their nose cut off because of drinking and hazing.

 

[DisneyDiver]

Erk! That's a bit strong...

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by Forever42
It wasn't really directed at you, auntpolly, but the other people who are saying to go ahead and order anyway, knowing the law.

I hear the crazy stories too, unfortunately. At one of the fraternities here at U of Central Florida, someone got their nose cut off because of drinking and hazing.

I just wanted to make sure you knew we weren't really off the deep end!

.....and ewww! What happened with the nose thing????

 

[CarolA]

To the OP>

I did a search on Florida law and could find no such "exemption".

I seem to recall that here in TN the law originally said that we would allow those in the military to drink if they were not 21, but had to change it.

My personal favorite states for strange laws are Utah and S. Carolina. In Utah they will let you drink they just don't like it (LOL) I do understand that Utah's laws got a little less stringent for the Olympics.

In S. Carolina they have to use those mini bottles at bars. This has got to be SO wasteful. Hundreds of little bottles thrown away each day.

 

[Forever42]

Originally posted by auntpolly
I just wanted to make sure you knew we weren't really off the deep end!

That's good to know

.....and ewww! What happened with the nose thing????

Hmmm...I definitely don't do the Greek thing, but I think the fraternity was suspended indefinitely from the campus and from events. Not sure what happened to the kid who lost his nose.

 

[jel0511]

My personal favorite states for strange laws are Utah and S. Carolina. In Utah they will let you drink they just don't like it (LOL) I do understand that Utah's laws got a little less stringent for the Olympics.

Actually Utah's laws are very different that the rest of the country. We might be moving there next year, and its very interesting. Luckily DH and I really don't drink, because it's very expensive to in Utah!! Here is a link to anyone interested....

http://www.fortogden.com/utahliqlaw.html

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I beleive, I could be wrong, that it is a federal law that you have to be 21 to drink in all 50 states.

I think the Ohio waiter was probably not doing something legal, but felt like it was common sense that since you were her parents and didn't care that it would be fine. But if you had cared, he could have probably gotten in serious trouble for it.

FL law is 21. Maybe your DD looks older than she is and that is why she was not carded at Epcot.

 

[madalex]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I beleive, I could be wrong, that it is a federal law that you have to be 21 to drink in all 50 states.

I think that is incorrect. Drinking age laws are established at the state and not federal level.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by madalex
I think that is incorrect. Drinking age laws are established at the state and not federal level.

Yep, drinking age laws are determined by each state, but in order to receive Federal Highway funds, the state needs to have a drinking age of 21. That's why all states have the drinking age set at 21. So, even though it's not a true federal mandate, by the threat of withholding federal funds, all states have to set their limits at 21.

 

[auntpolly]

If you look earlier in the thread, somoene posted from the OH state website -- it's OK in OH if with the parent.

 

[Clotho]

These facts always blow me away, being from Washington State, which has some of THE most strict drinking laws in the entire US. Carding is a MUST do. It's huge (I used to work in restaurants, and you carded EVERYONE). There are all kinds of laws about how the bar has to be divided from a dining room in order to allow minors into the restaurant, and the like. Our hard liquor is completely regulated by the government, with special liquor stores that have the worst hours (close at 6pm/8pm, closed on Sundays). And the list of laws and restrictions is a mile long.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Anyone from Louisiana?
My DN will be attending college in NO this fall. Apparently in La you can drink in your own home. When you live at college, your dorm is your home, so they are allowed to drink beer in their dorms!!!!

 

[eeyoregirl]

The legal drinking age in all 50 states is 21.

 

[CarolA]

Anyone from Louisiana?

And my personal Lousiana fav. Drive thru drinks. You can drive up and order a drink and take it with you. Gives a whole new meaning to the term drinking and driving! LOL!

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by eeyoregirl
The legal drinking age in all 50 states is 21.

But that's the thing....we've now learned that in OH the legal drinking age is 21 --- <i>except</i> when you drink with your parents, and except in LA when you drink in your home. State laws can be really strange.....is it just OH and LA that are so brazenly against the grain?


I read somewhere that in TX it's legal to drive with open containers of beer and such -- as long as you aren't drunk.....

 

[Rhonna]

Hi auntpolly,

I was gone all day yesterday so didn't get to reply until now.

I don't know how to paste from your reply so I'll just respond here. And thank you for being nice in your reply.

I just wanted to be sure you knew I wasn't trying to insinuate that you would indeed have your daughter drink underage in Florida. I was more replying in general to the whole discussion and trying to bring out another point of view (on the side of caution) as there were some points of view on the side of throwing caution to the wind. I'm just thankful no one flamed me. (Thanks everyone!)

I actually wouldn't have a moral problem with the senario of parents supervising their childrens drinking except for the legality and the possible repercussions.

I guess the recent "episode" in our town had me thinking about how things we do affect others. I had always thought a restaurant or store would be fined but I didn't realize it could cost someone their job.

Also, this particular store is a very good chain and the employees have union benefits. I have four friends that work there and one just retired. I know her wages and the benefits are very good.

I can't help but think about the girl who sold the alcohol and got fired. I don't know if she was new or had several years there but the loss would be more than just a regular clerk who is paid minimum wage, she has lost a possible career.

Anyhow, I appreciate that you were trying to find out the Florida laws. Have a great trip!

Rhonna

 

[MateasMom]

Originally posted by auntpolly
But that's the thing....we've now learned that in OH the legal drinking age is 21 --- <i>except</i> when you drink with your parents, and except in LA when you drink in your home. State laws can be really strange.....is it just OH and LA that are so brazenly against the grain?


I read somewhere that in TX it's legal to drive with open containers of beer and such -- as long as you aren't drunk.....

This thread is making me LOL. I'm not sure if people are just skipping over the posts explaining the Federal Highway funds deal or if they just aren't understanding what is being posted. From what I am understanding, the requirement to recieve federal funds (21 w/no exceptions) supersedes any local or state laws. If the state chooses to go by their own age limit/law, they won't get funding. From what I'm understanding ALL 50 states recieve federal highway funds, meaning that ALL states have a 21 with no exceptions law.

So, OH law might be under 21 w/parent permission.....but they abide by the stricter federal requirement of 21 w/o exception. Appearantly in the case of AuntPolly the servers in OH are willing to break the law, that doesn't make it legal.

 

[CarolA]

Actually, I think that you can have legal expceptions within the state. (Parental suprevision being one!)

The enforcement of liquor laws is considered a state duty unless you cross state lines (remeber smuggling Coors?)

 

[copper68]

I think a key point in all of this discussion is where the drinking is taking place...

In NJ a child can drink in the presence of their parents...for religious observances or just a glass of wine with dinner etc...if they allow their kids to get drunk then that would be endangering the welfare of a child and would be a different charge...However, this changes when they are in a licensed drinking establishment...

I just read the Florida statutes, and it appears that in FL, it is illegal for anyone under age 21 to consume alcohol...the only exception is:

"The prohibition in this section against the possession of alcoholic beverages does not apply to the tasting of alcoholic beverages by a student who is at least 18 years of age, who is tasting the alcoholic beverages as part of the student's required curriculum at a postsecondary educational institution that is institutionally accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and that is licensed or exempt from licensure pursuant to the provisions of chapter 1005 or is a public postsecondary education institution; if the student is enrolled in the college and is tasting the alcoholic beverages only for instructional purposes during classes that are part of such a curriculum; if the student is allowed only to taste, but not consume or imbibe, the alcoholic beverages; and if the alcoholic beverages at all times remain in the possession and control of authorized instructional personnel of the college who are 21 years of age or older. "

So Florida doesn't even appear to give an exception for religious observances...

I just read the Ohio statutes and they will allow someone under 21 to drink if they are in the presence of their spouse, parent or legal guardian...a spouse providing alcohol to someone under age 21 must be of legal drinking age themselves...

as far as the morality of "breaking the law" if someone allows their child to have a drink with them at a restaurant, we can debate that all day...but in Catholic Churches all across Florida on every Sunday, there are tons of second degree misdemeanors being committed as children drink wine with communion...

 

[Clotho]

Originally posted by copper68
I think a key point in all of this discussion is where the drinking is taking place...

as far as the morality of "breaking the law" if someone allows their child to have a drink with them at a restaurant, we can debate that all day...but in Catholic Churches all across Florida on every Sunday, there are tons of second degree misdemeanors being committed as children drink wine with communion...

Be serious, please. having a tiny sip of wine as part of a religious service is VERY different than sitting in a restaurant and having a glass or two of wine.

These laws are designed to protect not the children of responsible families, but those of irresponsible families. There are parents who let their children have a glass of wine, and teach and show by example what it means to be a resposible drinker. Unfortunately, not every child has this example and discipline in their families, and the law helps to shape their experiences accordingly, at least in the ways that it can.