Hi, I have a serious concern that I wish to be advised on.
I am 19 years old, (turning 20 this year) and last night I was offered to have a drink.
It was only three of us, and one of the person was 28 years old (turning 29 this year) and other one was 20 years old (turning 21 this year).
We were in private setting, in the house of one of us.
I wasn’t quite sure if it was legal to have a drink in the private setting with a person who can possibly be claimed as a guardian. (one who is 28 years old.)
Even though I wasn’t sure of legalness of the matter, it was hard for me to not yield into the request and I drank.
I only had about 4 drink in a small glass(it was very small glass, maybe like 3 gulp?) . and although it was blue label of Johnny Walker which is very strong (40%) and it was almost my first day to drink,
because I had strong determination to stay sober, I wasn’t feeling any (at least to what I believe) of the effects of alcohol.
Nothing happened. We were all sober and we just talked throughout the night and we slept over at the house.
But because of my religiously trained conscience, I am feeling very hurt for doing something what is possibly illegal.
And especially after reading briefly of this article, I am feeling more guilty.
Underage drinking is mainly prohibited because it arouse serious consequences right? I mean there wasn’t anything serious happened.
but my question is this…
Is what I did last night illegal? (bytheway I live in California)
If yes, do I have obligation to report this to police?
Please give me a reply, for I have very sensitive conscience. Thank you.
*I don’t want any opinion like (well although its illegal, it does not matter.)
I strictly want to know objective reply. what is legal / illegal.
Yes it is illegal. The legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years old. Actually if you are caught drinking with someone that is 21 they will be held responsible and charged with contributing to a minor.
Maturity and age are different. Sounds to me like you have much growing up to do. Although the drinking age in CA is 21 if you did not buy the alcohol then consuming it on private property is on a fine line of legality. Meaning that unless something caused suspicion or police involvement it is acceptable. The 28 year old is not a guardian just the oldest person in the room. You made a decision, would be stupid to report it to the authorities, and should never again do anything that brings such questioning and/ or guilt. It was illegal. Get over it.
Interestingly, although it is illegal to furnish alcohol to a person under 21, and it is illegal for a person under 21 to possess alcohol in a public place, or vehicle, or bar, there is no California state law making it illegal for a person under 21 to possess alcohol in private. There are some cities and counties which have such laws, however.
The bottom line is that you probably did not break the law, and the person who gave you the booze probably did. Even if you did break the law, you have no obligation to report it to anybody (and the police won’t care). Go thou and sin no more.