Alcohol Present + Non-drinking Underage = ?

[spazham]

Hi. I am in college but younger than 21. I do not drink, but if I went over to my friends' house, and they were drinking (they are over 21), is that okay? Could I be in trouble for anything?

And then, second question: if they are not 21 but are drinking anyway, can I get in trouble even if I don't drink at all?


I live in Washington (state, not DC).
Thanks

[Kimble]

Hi. I am in college but younger than 21. I do not drink, but if I went over to my friends' house, and they were drinking (they are over 21), is that okay? Could I be in trouble for anything?

If they were drinking (and were of legal age) and you weren't drinking, I see no difference than if you were at home with your parents and they were drinking. Nothing illegal about that at all. Alcohol isn't like illegal drugs where you merely being present can get you in trouble, there has to be more to it (ex: minors consuming).

And then, second question: if they are not 21 but are drinking anyway, can I get in trouble even if I don't drink at all?

That's where it can get sticky. Is it your house? In the example above it was your friends house, so assuming that's the case, if you're not drinking you probably won't get in trouble unless you're doing something else illegal, but it's still risky behavior which could result in trouble (ex: drunk friends starting a fight, or something else to get the cops called out).

[spazham]

Is it your house? In the example above it was your friends house, so assuming that's the case, if you're not drinking you probably won't get in trouble unless you're doing something else illegal, but it's still risky behavior which could result in trouble (ex: drunk friends starting a fight, or something else to get the cops called out).

No, not in my house, but I know friends who drink and generally I just don't go over on those nights, but I just wondered.

[spazham]

Thank you so much for answering. I appreciate it a lot!

[S43riff]

Be very careful with that. If someone is there under the age drinking and the police show up, whoever at the house is the legal age limit could be charged with contributing to the delinquent of a minor. And if there are more then one minor present, who's to say you weren't drinking if everyone else was. I am not insinuating that you are...but look at what it would look like. Remember probable cause is based on probabilities, not certainties

[TX-LEO]

Hi. I am in college but younger than 21. I do not drink, but if I went over to my friends' house, and they were drinking (they are over 21), is that okay? Could I be in trouble for anything?

And then, second question: if they are not 21 but are drinking anyway, can I get in trouble even if I don't drink at all?


I live in Washington (state, not DC).
Thanks

I my state, the person furnishing / providing the alcohol to the minor would go to jail.