Underage Drinking Charges in Illinois: Your Guide to Zero Tolerance & Juvenile Defense | AKL Legal, LLC

Nov 18

What Parents Need to Know

As a parent, getting a call from a police officer—or your child—saying they’ve been detained can be shocking. You may feel angry, confused, or defensive. Your son or daughter is likely scared and overwhelmed. If your child is facing underage drinking charges in Illinois, securing immediate legal representation is essential. A knowledgeable Lake County underage drinking defense attorney can help you navigate Illinois’ strict juvenile alcohol laws and work to protect your child’s future.

Common Underage Drinking Charges in Illinois

Illinois takes juvenile alcohol offenses seriously. Minors can face many of the same charges as adults, including:

Purchasing alcohol with a fake ID
Illegal possession of alcohol
Consuming alcohol under age 21
Underage DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
Public intoxication
Transporting alcohol as a minor

These offenses can lead to fines, suspensions, criminal records, and long-term consequences.

Understanding Illinois’ Zero Tolerance Law

Illinois enforces a Zero Tolerance policy for any driver under 21. This means any trace of alcohol—even below the adult DUI legal limit—can result in penalties.

Law enforcement may request a chemical test if they suspect underage drinking and driving. If alcohol is detected:

1st violation: 3-month license suspension
2nd violation: 1-year suspension

If the minor is charged with a DUI, consequences increase dramatically:

First DUI offense: License suspension up to 2 years
Second DUI offense: License suspension up to 5 years

Even with court supervision, a minor’s license can still be suspended for three months under Zero Tolerance rules.

Consequences of Fake ID Use & Underage Alcohol Possession

Illinois has little tolerance for juvenile alcohol-related offenses. If a minor is caught using a fake ID to purchase alcohol, they could face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the circumstances.

Possession charges can also occur when:

A minor attends a party where alcohol is present
A minor holds alcohol but does not consume it
Alcohol is found inside a vehicle with minors present

Parents and guardians can also face criminal charges if they knowingly allow minors to consume alcohol in their home—and even felony charges if an injury or fatality occurs.

How an Experienced Underage Drinking Defense Attorney Can Help

Underage drinking charges can create long-lasting consequences, including:

College admissions challenges
Scholarship loss
Employment restrictions
Professional licensing issues

At AKL Legal, LLC, our attorneys have nearly two decades of experience defending juveniles in Lake County, McHenry County, and suburban Cook County. We know how to: