§93.12. Purchase and public possession of alcoholic beverages; exceptions; penalties

A. It is unlawful for any person under twenty-one years of age to purchase or have public possession of any alcoholic beverage.

B.(1) Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

(2) Any person apprehended while violating the provisions of this Section shall be issued a citation by the apprehending law enforcement officer, which shall be paid in the same manner as provided for the offenders of local traffic violations. A citation issued by a law enforcement officer for such violation shall not be included on the person's criminal history record.

(3) In addition to the penalties provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the driver's license of any person violating the provisions of this Section may be suspended upon conviction, plea of guilty, or nolo contendere for a period of one hundred eighty days. Upon conviction, plea of guilty, or nolo contendere, the court shall surrender the driver's license to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections for suspension in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Upon first conviction, the court may issue an order which authorizes the department to issue a restricted driver's license upon a demonstration to the court that a hardship would result from being unable to drive to school or work. Such restrictions shall be determined by the court.

Acts 1995, No. 639, §1; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 78, §1; Acts 2005, No. 165, §1; Acts 2016, No. 354, §1.