California · Business and Professions Code - BPC

BPC §25658.5: (a) Any person under 21 years of age who attempts to purchase any alcoholic beverage from a licensee, or the licensee’s agent or employee, is guilty of an infraction and shall be punished by a fine of

Infraction

What this law says, in plain English

A person under 21 who attempts to purchase alcohol from a licensee commits an infraction punishable by fines up to $250 and/or 24–32 hours of community service; repeat violations carry higher penalties.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Any person under 21 years of age who attempts to purchase any alcoholic beverage from a licensee, or the licensee’s agent or employee, is guilty of an infraction and shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), or the person shall be required to perform not less than 24 hours or more than 32 hours of community service during hours when the person is not employed or is not attending school, or a combination of fine and community service as determined by the court. A second or subsequent violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or the person shall be required to perform not less than 36 hours or more than 48 hours of community service during hours when the person is not employed or is not attending school, or a combination of fine and community service, as the court deems just. It is the intent of the Legislature that the community service requirements prescribed in this section require service at an alcohol or drug treatment program or facility or at a county coroner’s office, if available, in the area where the violation occurred or where the person resides. (b) The penalties imposed by this section do not preclude prosecution or the imposition of penalties under any other provision of law.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.