Underage Drinking Law

[Tyleralp1]

Hey all,

Just wondering, what is the rules in regards to having alcohol among underage people, particularly at a party/gathering type thing.

I've been to a few where everyone just brings their own drinks, and all is well. Sometimes, the parents get us to ask us to bring parental permission (which is 8/10 forged from us) in order to drink, and sometimes the parents just supply alcohol, no questions asked.

Therefore I wonder, what are the laws in regards to:
A) Supplying alcohol as a party host to your friends
B) Your friends bringing their own drinks to a party

That too, how strongly are these laws..Must I really go to all the required areas to have alcohol at a party/gathering.

Thanks in advanced.

[Russ]

Without commenting on how strictly they're enforced etc. it's illegal for you to have a house party and provide alcohol without parental consent, which can be verbal or written. People can supply their own alcohol legally as long as it was given to them by a parent (amusingly enough, if they carry it to the party via public transport etc. that's illegal).

[walkec]

I have been to one party where alcohol was supplied and we still needed to bring a note if we were drinking. I'm not sure if this was the legal thing to do, so it might be best to check with your local police station to be safe.

Many people don't "go to all the required areas" as you say to have alcohol at their party/gathering. But if the cops showed up, then you could be in for some serious consequences. Supplying alcohol to a minor is a considerable fine (I think like $10,000), not sure if there's something similar about drinking underage without parental consent.

[Tyleralp1]

Thanks for the responses so far guys!!

I'm not so much concerned about having the cops rock up due to a rowdy crowd. Just more concerned if people drink irresponsibly, and well munt and become very drunk. Because that's when you'd need to call their parents, the whole situation becomes "real", and depending on their parents reaction could cause issues.....

So, if I get them to bring their own alcohol, I needn't require notes from their parents or anything?

[walkec]

I'd get notes from parents to be safe. Pretty much every party where I have brought my own drinks I have been asked to bring a note - including a party where the host's mum was a cop.

[chasej]

Thanks for the responses so far guys!!

I'm not so much concerned about having the cops rock up due to a rowdy crowd. Just more concerned if people drink irresponsibly, and well munt and become very drunk. Because that's when you'd need to call their parents, the whole situation becomes "real", and depending on their parents reaction could cause issues.....

So, if I get them to bring their own alcohol, I needn't require notes from their parents or anything?

You need
1)Notes from parents (email which clearly states the kids name, the adult name, the permission given and the date and legally valid and normally the best option-seeing it's harder to get into an email account than it is to write a forged note).
2) Supervision by a parent of suitable guardian (I don't think the guardian is allowed to be drinking with the kids, cannot confirm though).
3)It's illegal for kids to bring alcohol with them in a public place, so to comply with the law, adults would have to buy a bring the alcohol.

Also just because you comply with these doesn't mean you can't get done for other related things. e.g. if people are rowdy and the guardian isn't exercising proper supervision, the guardian could probably get done for any damage etc.


[Oh and also the law is perfect in theory, it's only when kids fuck it up by committing forgery it goes into disarray, the vic gov have already changed the law to deal with stupid kids (i.e. kids who consistently and willing skirt the laws) so don't be surprised if it's changed in the future and the "fun" is taken away from everyone]