It’s pretty common knowledge that it’s against the law to purchase beer for minors, but that’s not the only way to get charged with “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” when it comes to alcohol.
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The reality is that you can receive that same “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” charge for allowing someone under 21 to consume alcohol on your property. According to the statute TCA 39-15-404(A)(3)(B), “It is an offense for any owner, occupant or other person having a lawful right to the exclusive use and enjoyment of property to knowingly allow a person to consume alcoholic beverages, wine or beer on the property; provided that the owner, occupant or other person knows that, at the time of the offense, the person consuming is an underage adult.”
In March, a Brentwood couple was charged with several counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor when police arrived at their house to find beer cans all over the yard and kids as young as 14 consuming alcohol on the property.
Circumstances vary; some parents can’t control their kids, some parents were unaware of the situation until it had escalated, and others willingly allow their underage kids to consume alcohol. Occasionally, the intentions might be good, such as, “I know they’re going to do it anyway, and this way I can keep an eye on them.”
Regardless of context, the contributing to the delinquency of a minor charge stands if underage drinking occurs on the property. Minors aren’t the only ones taking a risk when it comes to underage drinking.
