Teenagers are well aware that they are not legally allowed to drink alcohol until they turn 21. However, underage drinking still happens, sometimes in high school and often in college. Teenagers could be charged with a crime for illegal possession of alcohol. It could include more serious events such as drunk driving charges. Even providing alcohol to another minor is a crime.
When parents find out that their child is facing such charges, they are sometimes surprised. They do not always know how a conviction could impact their child’s future, potentially impacting the child’s ability to obtain or maintain a valid license to drive, and making it more difficult to pursue a career or education opportunities. So why do teenagers still take this risk, knowingly breaking the law?
It isn’t just one reason – it is several
As you likely suspect, there are a wide range of reasons why teens engage in underage drinking. Some examples include:
- Behavior that is normalized by their friends or their parents, if the parents already drink at home
- Pushing boundaries is sometimes a part of maturing, and some may deliberately break rules because they do not like being told what to do
- Trying to feel more grown-up as they get older, which may be related to pushing back against authority
- Using alcohol to deal with stress, such as a student who is overwhelmed academically or socially
However, one of the most common reasons for teen drinking is peer influence. They may see other teenagers consuming alcohol at a party, for example, and want to be part of the social norm. As is often common among young people, they may be more likely to break the law in the presence of their peer group than they ever would on their own.
Legal defense options
Are you a parent who recently found out that your child may be facing charges for underage drinking or other related crimes? It is very important to know what legal defense options are available to help protect their future.