Consequences of minors consuming alcohol

ALAMO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The arrest of a parent providing alcohol to a minor has placed the back-to-school spotlight on the dangers of underage drinking for minors and parents who let it happen.

People must be over the age of 21 to consume alcohol in Texas. However, an adult can give alcohol to a minor if they are the minor's parent, guardian, or spouse and that adult must be present at all times.

Alamo Police Department Public Information Officer, Jacob Garcia calls it a “double-edged sword.” Even though parents can provide alcohol to their children, it can become a major issue when that child invites others to the party.

Unregulated alcohol consumption can put both minors and their guardians in hot water.

"If you've seen in the movies when a teen has a party and he says, oh, just you guys, and then those guys invite other people, and it just gets out of control," Garcia said. "That really does happen. And it not only puts the miners in danger, but it puts the homeowners in danger for being responsible, and they can be charged for every single minor that's caught drinking on their property.”

If a child gets hurt because of alcohol, those charges can be elevated.

“It can be, you know, negligence," he added. "And then, of course, you know, our CID (Criminal Investigation Department) kicks in and they see to what parameters, as far as, and it can increase the charges if the child does die from negligence of consuming the alcohol.”

Garcia says everyone involved can face fines, jail or both. A one-time offense for one minor is considered a Class A Misdemeanor.

Typically, this results in a fine of up to $4,000 and up to one year in county jail.

Garcia says that the Alamo Police Department does not condone alcohol being given to minors even at home. He says providing alcohol so easily to kids can only lead to erratic behavior later on in life such as drunk driving or an alcohol dependence.