Policies and Laws

In Ohio, the legal age to possess, consume, or purchase alcohol is 21 years old. Possessing, consuming, or purchasing alcohol before your 21st birthday is a first-degree misdemeanor. Penalties for offenders under 18 include $250 maximum fine and/or up to 30 days imprisonment. Offenders under 21 may be fined up to $1,000 and/or no more than 180 days imprisonment. Offenders may enter into a Diversion program on a first offense. Additional penalties including license suspension, if violation occurred in a motor vehicle, are possible.

Exceptions: A consenting parent/guardian OR legal-aged spouse can provide alcohol for consumption by someone under 21 if they are present at the time and give consent.

However, a parent cannot provide alcohol for anyone who is under 21 other than their own child, under any circumstance, even in their own home, even with their parent’s permission. Parents cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than their own child, to remain in their home or on their property while consuming or possessing alcohol.

PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THE MOST

A person who furnishes alcohol to an underage person is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor. Penalties for offenders under 18 include $250 maximum fine and/or up to 30 days imprisonment. Offenders over 18 are fined $500 to $1,000 and possibly up to 6 months imprisonment.

Exceptions: A consenting parent/guardian OR legal-aged spouse can provide alcohol for consumption by someone under 21 if they are present at the time and give consent.

However, a parent cannot provide alcohol for anyone who is under 21 other than their own child, under any circumstance, even in their own home, even with their parent’s permission. Parents cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than their own child, to remain in their home or on their property while consuming or possessing alcohol.

Possession or display of a fictitious operator's license is a first-degree misdemeanor. The offense includes mere possession of a fictitious license or display of someone else's valid operator's license. It is also illegal to lend, transfer, sell, manufacture or distribute a false ID. Penalties for offenders under 18 include $250 maximum fine and/or up to 30 days imprisonment. Offenders under 21 are fined between $250 and $1000 and possibly up to 6 months imprisonment. Penalties increase with multiple offenses.

Disorderly conduct while intoxicated is a minor misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of a $150 fine. Disorderly conduct can be elevated to a fourth degree misdemeanor (for example, if the person persists after a request to desist). Disorderly conduct occurs when one recklessly causes inconvenience, annoyance or alarm to another due to offensive conduct. Disorderly conduct also occurs when one makes unreasonable noise in such a manner as to violate the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or to be detrimental to the life and health of any individual.

In Ohio, a person may not operate a motor vehicle if he/she is impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. The maximum penalty for operating a vehicle while under the influence is six months imprisonment (mandatory at least three days in jail) or a $1,000 fine (a mandatory minimum fine of $250) or both. Additionally, the operator must forfeit his/her driving privileges for six months.

It is illegal to possess in public an open container of an alcoholic beverage. Conviction of this offense carries a maximum penalty of a $150 fine. Consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle is a fourth-degree misdemeanor with maximum penalties of 30 days imprisonment or a $250 fine or both. 

OPEN CONTAINER LAW