{"id":375728,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/ohio-law\/underage-drinking-and-social-host-liability-in-ohio.html"},"modified":"2025-06-05T12:34:34","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T17:34:34","slug":"underage-drinking-and-social-host-liability-in-ohio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/ohio-law\/underage-drinking-and-social-host-liability-in-ohio.html","title":{"rendered":"Underage Drinking and Social Host Liability in Ohio"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Underage Drinking and Social Host Liability in Ohio<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Like most states, Ohio takes underage drinking and drunk driving seriously. Ohio has followed the rest of the country in setting the legal drinking age at 21 for all alcoholic beverages. Underage consumption is a first-degree misdemeanor, with penalties of up to $1,000, six months in jail, community service, and other sanctions.<\/p>\r\n

The person who provides an underage person with alcohol also faces repercussions. Selling or furnishing alcohol to someone under the age of 21 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1000 and up to six months in jail. The person may also be liable for whatever harm the underage drinker caused.<\/p>\r\n

Social Host Liability and Underage Drinking<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

It is well-established that underage drinking and drunk driving<\/a> can result in fatal car accidents. To combat a rise in teen drinking and driving, Ohio enacted social host liability<\/a> laws designed to punish those enabling underage drinking and driving<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Social host liability laws resemble dram shop laws that are common in other states. Dram shop liability makes bar owners liable for overserving an intoxicated person who causes an injury later. Social host liability laws make parents and other party hosts liable for serving alcohol to minors in a social setting.<\/p>\r\n

Ohio Underage Drinking Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Ohio statute on underage drinking defines all terms and prohibitions under the law. There are some exceptions for medical and religious purposes.<\/p>\r\n

Ohio code<\/a> states that:<\/p>\r\n