Laws - View Law: Alcohol

In South Carolina, it is illegal for people under the age of 21 to purchase, attempt to purchase, consume, or possess alcoholic beverages.  The laws of South Carolina refer to alcohol in two categories, with beer and wine in one category and alcoholic liquors in the other.  Because of this, there are two major laws regarding minors and alcohol that are basically the same.  SC Code 20-7-8920 deals with minors and beer and wine while SC Code 20-7-8925 deals with minors and alcoholic liquor.  Until recently, possession of alcohol was considered a more serious offense than possession of beer or wine.  However, these laws have been updated and now give equal treatment to both offenses. 

If someone under the age of 21 is caught purchasing, attempting to purchase, consuming, or possessing alcoholic beverages, that person would face a fine between $100 and $200, up to 30 days in jail, or both.  Also, the person would have to go through at least 8 hours of an alcohol prevention program which could cost the person up to $150.  Finally, the person's driver's license would be suspended for 120 days (about 4 months) for a first offense and 1 year for a second offense under S.C. Code Section 56-1-746.