Connecticut Minor in Possession Laws

Online Alcohol Class offers the most comprehensive MIP course available in Connecticut. We offer Level 1 (8 hour), Level 2 (16 hour), and Level 3 (24 hour) web-based Minor in Possession and Minor in Consumption Classes.

Often students call us to ask about the MIP laws in Connecticut. As a courtesy, we've compiled the laws from every U.S. state and listed them below.

Please note that the Connecticut minor in possession laws displayed below are intended to assist help you to understand your local Connecticut laws. While we have tried to show the most up-to-date version of Connecticut minor in possession laws, but we do not guarantee its accuracy. This information is not a replacement for legal advice from a lawyer. It is in your best interest that you find an appropriate attorney for more information about Connecticut MIP laws.

Connecticut Minor In Possession Laws

Connecticut Underage Possession of Alcohol

Possession is prohibited WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION(S):

• Parent/guardian
• OR spouse

Connecticut Underage Consumption of Alcohol

Consumption is not explicitly prohibited.

Connecticut Internal Possession by Minors

Internal possession is not explicitly prohibited.

Connecticut Underage Purchase of Alcohol

Purchase is prohibited, but youth MAY PURCHASE for law enforcement purposes.

Furnishing Alcohol to Minors in Connecticut

Furnishing is prohibited WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION(S):

• Parent/guardian
• OR spouse

Minimum Ages for On-Premises Servers and Bartenders in Connecticut

Beer: 18 for both servers and bartenders

Wine: 18 for both servers and bartenders

Spirits: 18 for both servers and bartenders

Minimum Ages for Off-Premises Sellers in Connecticut

Beer: 15

Wine: 18

Spirits: 18

False Identification for Obtaining Alcohol in Connecticut

Provision(s) targeting minors:

• Use of a false ID to obtain alcohol is a criminal offense
• Penalty may include driver's license suspension through a judicial procedure

Provision(s) targeting retailers:

• State provides incentives to retailers who use electronic scanners that read birthdate and other information digitally encoded on valid identification cards
• Licenses for drivers under age 21 are easily distinguishable from those for drivers age 21 and older
• Specific affirmative defense - the retailer inspected the false ID and came to a reasonable conclusion based on its appearance that it was valid

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits and Underage Operators of Noncommercial Motor Vehicles in Connecticut

BAC limit: 0.02 - a BAC level above the limit is per se (conclusive) evidence of a violation

Applies to drivers under age 21

Connecticut Retail Sales: Keg Registration

Keg definition: 6 gallons or more

Prohibited:

• Possessing an unregistered, unlabeled keg - max. fine/jail: $500 or 3 months

Purchaser information collected:

• Purchaser's name and address
• Verified by a government-issued ID

Warning information to purchaser: passive – no purchaser action required

Deposit: not required

Provisions do not specifically address disposable kegs

Underage Driving Privileges in Connecticut: Use/Lose

Type(s) of violation leading to driver's license suspension, revocation, or denial:

• Underage possession

Use/lose penalties apply to minors under age 21

Authority to impose driver's license sanction

• Mandatory

Length of suspension/revocation: 30 days

Notes: In addition to the 30 day suspension penalty mentioned in the table above, Connecticut imposes a license suspension of 60 days if underage possession occurs "on any public street or highway." See Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-111e(a), 30-89(b)(1). APIS does not code provisions that apply only when the minor is located on a public street or highway.

Prohibitions Against Hosting Underage Drinking Parties in Connecticut

Social host law is not specifically limited to underage drinking parties.

Action by underage guest that triggers violation: Possession

Property type(s) covered by liability law:

• Residence
• Outdoor
• Other

Standard for hosts' knowledge or action regarding the party: KNOWLEDGE - host must have actual knowledge of the occurrence

Preventive action by the host negates the violation (see note).

Exception(s):

• Family

Notes: The "preventive action" provision in Connecticut requires the prosecution to prove that the host failed to take preventive action.

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