Pittsburgh Underage Drinking Lawyers

Having a few beers after a football game or some glasses of wine with your friends is part of most people’s college experience. However, if you are caught having alcohol when you are under 21, Pennsylvania police will handle your drinking as a serious matter.

In neighborhoods near Pittsburgh-area colleges, including the Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, or Point Park University, complaints about loud parties and binge-drinking students have prompted law enforcement to respond swiftly and harshly to alcohol violations. Today’s students run a greater risk than ever of being caught and prosecuted.

If you are charged with underage drinking, the consequences can range from suspension of your driver’s license to a criminal record. Even worse is if you are underage and charged in Pennsylvania with a DUI. The aftermath can have a negative impact for years to come.

Penalties for Underage Drinking in Pittsburgh

Being charged with underage drinking in Pennsylvania can have serious consequences. If convicted, you may face:

• A mandatory court appearance
• Parental notification
• Fines and court costs
• A driver’s license suspension
• Up to 90 days in jail
• A lasting criminal record

An underage drinking charge can impact your future, including college admissions, job opportunities, and even your ability to get a loan. If you or your child is facing these charges, an experienced Pittsburgh underage drinking lawyer can help fight for the best possible outcome.

How an Underage Drinking Conviction Can Affect Your Future

One of the most serious consequences of an underage drinking conviction is having a criminal record. As soon as you receive a citation, the charge appears on your record—potentially impacting your future in several ways:

• Job Opportunities – Many employers conduct background checks, and a conviction can make it harder to secure a job, especially in fields like healthcare, law, and pharmaceuticals.
• Security Clearances – If you’re pursuing a career that requires a security clearance, a criminal record can be a major obstacle.
• Higher Education – A DUI conviction may hurt your chances of getting into graduate school, as admissions officers often consider criminal history.
• Student Loans & Financial Aid – Federal financial aid and student loan eligibility can be affected by certain convictions.

An underage drinking charge can follow you long after the case is closed. If you’re facing these charges, a Pittsburgh underage drinking attorney can help protect your future.

Pennsylvania’s Underage Drinking Laws

In Pennsylvania, it is illegal for anyone under 21 to:

• Attempt to purchase alcohol
• Purchase alcohol
• Consume alcohol
• Possess alcohol, or
• Knowingly and intentionally transport any alcohol.

A conviction for underage drinking comes with serious penalties, including:

• License Suspension – 90 days for a first offense, one year for a second, and two years for additional offenses
• Fines – $500 for a first conviction, $1,000 for each subsequent offense
• Criminal Record – A conviction becomes part of your record, which employers and schools can see

If a minor is charged with underage drinking, police are required to notify their parents or guardian. However, there are exceptions. For instance, if you were caught drinking while calling for emergency help for someone else, a defense attorney may be able to argue for a dismissal of the charge.

Under Pennsylvania law, alcohol is defined as any beverage containing 0.50% alcohol by volume (ABV) or more.

What to Do If You’re Charged with Underage Drinking in PA

If you or your college-aged child is facing an underage drinking charge in Pittsburgh, the first step is to consult an experienced defense attorney. A lawyer can negotiate with police and prosecutors early in the process, potentially getting the charges reduced or dismissed before your hearing.

If you haven’t hired an attorney yet, you will need to:

1. Enter a not guilty plea by marking your citation, signing your name, and mailing it back to the magistrate’s office with a collateral fee (usually $50).
2. Await a hearing notice from the magistrate’s office, which typically arrives about two weeks after the charge.

An attorney can handle this process for you—often avoiding the need for a collateral fee—and begin working on your defense immediately.

Fighting an Underage Drinking Charge in Pittsburgh

If you or your child has been arrested, an experienced Pittsburgh underage drinking lawyer will work to:

• Reduce or dismiss charges – Negotiating with prosecutors to lessen penalties
• Minimize fines – Avoiding hefty financial penalties
• Challenge witness testimony – Questioning the accuracy and reliability of any witnesses
• Clear your record – If the case is dismissed, your attorney can help with expungement so the charge doesn’t follow you

A criminal record can have long-term consequences, but with the right legal strategy, you may be able to protect your future. Contact a Pittsburgh underage drinking attorney today to discuss your options.