8 Alcohol Offenses You Didn’t Know About in Arizona

By Law Offices of Joshua S. Davidson, PLC | Jul 10, 2018
As an Arizona resident, you know it’s against the law to drink and drive. You may not know the specifics, but you have a pretty good idea that if you consume alcohol and drive, you’ll face jail time and fines, and you’ll have to equip any vehicle you drive with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). You may also have to undergo alcohol screening, education, and treatment depending on the facts of the case. But an Arizona charge for driving under the influence (DUI) is only the beginning of the state’s alcohol-related offenses – the tip of the iceberg so to speak. There are a number of other alcohol offenses that can get you in BIG trouble. In light of that, here are 8 alcohol-related offenses you may not know about in Arizona: Under Section 4-244 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, the following are unlawful acts:
  1. It’s illegal to buy for resale or sell “spirituous liquors” in Arizona without a license.
  2. It’s illegal for an establishment to employ someone under the age of eighteen in any capacity dealing with spirituous liquors. For example, a 17-year-old cannot sell alcohol at a convenience store, nor can they take orders for alcoholic beverages at a restaurant or bar.
  3. It’s illegal for employees to consume alcohol while serving at a licensed establishment. For example, a server, cocktail waitress, or bartender cannot consume alcohol while serving customers.
  4. While an employee is working for a licensed establishment, it’s illegal for them to give or purchase alcohol for any other person.
  5. It’s illegal for someone who works at a licensed establishment to serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person, or someone who is being disorderly.
  6. It is illegal for someone at a licensed establishment or a place that sells alcohol to sell or provide spirituous liquor to a patron between the hours of 2:30 and 6:00 am.
  7. It is illegal in Arizona to consume spirituous liquor in public, unless the person is drinking on the premises of a licensed establishment. Sorry, this is not Las Vegas!
  8. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to consume spirituous liquor in the State of Arizona.

What Counts As Spirituous Liquor?

You may be wondering what counts as “spirituous liquor” in Arizona? Under Sec. 4-101(32) of the Arizona Revise Statutes, it includes all types of alcohol you’d be able to buy from a liquor store, such as beer, wine, whisky, rum, tequila, gin, and so forth. To learn more about Arizona’s liquor laws, check out the Arizona Department of Liquor’s website. To fight your alcohol-related charges in Phoenix or Tempe, contact the Law Offices of Joshua S. Davidson, PLC today.

Categories : Alcohol Offenses

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