Graduates and Drinking

Graduation season is almost upon us, meaning that many young adults are getting ready to celebrate their success. Once they walk across that stage and get their diploma, they are going to go out and have a good time.

If your child is graduating from high school, be sure to remind him or her to behave him or herself. Chances are, if your child is graduating, he or she is over 18. This means he or she is now an adult in the eyes of the law, and any trouble he or she gets into will have real consequences.

This is especially true if he or she is caught drinking. In some states, minors are allowed to drink alcohol, but only if his or her legal guardian is supervising. However, that is not the case in California. Minors are not allowed to drink under any circumstances. This means that if someone wants to drink in California, he or she has to be 21 or over.

Any minor caught drinking in California, can face a $250 fine and a maximum of 32 hours of community service for a first time offense. Repeat offenders will face a $500 fine, a maximum of 48 hours of community service, and the chance of having their driver’s license suspended for a year.

Any of these consequences could easily ruin the excitement of graduating from high school. So be sure to remind your graduate that he or she is an adult now, and has to be responsible. Doing so can make the difference between a fun graduation celebration, and a miserable one.