Connecticut Liquor Laws

Information provided by the Connecticut Clearinghouse,  a program of the Wheeler Clinic.

For more information, please contact the Connecticut Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking, a program of the Governor's Prevention Partnership - www.preventionworksct.org

SUMMARY	PUBLIC ACT/STATUTE	PENALTY
Possession of Alcohol by Minors
Prohibits possession of alcohol by minor on both public and private property	Sec. 30-89b Sec. 14-111	1st offense: $181 fine Subsequent offenses: A fine up to $500 Subject to a 150-day suspension of motor vehicle license. If not licensed, must wait additional 150 days after eligible for license.
Prohibits possession by minor of liquor in a motor vehicle	Sec. 14-111a	Subject to a 60-day suspension of motor vehicle license
Sale or Provision of Alcohol to Minors
Prohibits permittee or agent of permittee from selling or delivering liquor to minor *includes internet sales	Sec. 30-86	Up to 1 year in prison, and/or fine up to $1,000
Prohibits anyone from allowing minors to possess alcohol or "host" underage drinking parties	PA. 06-112	1st offense: $146 fine Subsequent offenses: Up to 1 year in prison and/or fine up to $500
Prohibits anyone giving or delivering liquor to a minor	Sec. 30-86	Up to 18 months in prison, and/or fine up to $1,500
Prohibits permittee or employees from allowing minors to loiter on premises where liquor is kept for sale, or where liquor is served at a bar.	Sec. 30-90	Up to 1 year in prison and/or fine up to $1,000
Permits holders of cafe permits to create "juice bars," meaning an area of a liquor establishment where nonalcoholic beverages are sold to minors Requires that cafe permit holders notify local police in advance of date when "juice bar" will be made available	Sec. 30-85	Up to 1 year in prison and/or fine up to $1,000
Prohibits the sale, purchase or possession of alcohol without liquid (alcohol vaporization) machines	PA. 06-95	Up to 6 months in prison, and/or fine up to $1,000
Fake/False Identification
Prohibits the misrepresentation of age or committing deception to obtain identity card, or using another's card	Sec. 30-88a Sec. 14-111e	Up to 30 days in prison, and/or fine up to $500 Subject to a 150-day suspension of motor vehicle license. If not licensed, must wait additional 150 days after eligible for license.
Prohibits purchase, attempt to purchase or making false statements to procure	Sec. 30-89	A fine up to $500
Prohibits willfully misrepresenting age on an age statement	Sec. 30-86a	1st offense: $100 fine Subsequent offenses: $250 fine
Possession of a keg without the proper required identification tag Providing false identification on keg registration receipt	Sec. 30-115	Up to 3 months in prison and/or fine up to $500
Youth DUI (Zero Tolerance)
Prohibits minors from operating a motor vehicle if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is higher than .02	Sec. 14-227g	1st offense: Up to 6 months in prison with 48 hours of community service, and/or fine up to $1,000 (subject to a 90 day suspension of license) 2nd offense: Up to 2 years in prison with 120 days of community service, and/or fine up to $4,000 (subject to a 9-month suspension of driver's license) 3rd offense: Up to 3 years in prison with 1 year of community service, and/or fine up to $8,000 (subject to a 2-year suspension of driver's license)