Alcohol Awareness

Alcohol-related offenses, including:

• underage possession of alcohol
• public intoxication
• driving under the influence

are offenses that are frequently violated by college-age students. Familiarize yourself with the alcohol laws in the Commonwealth of Virginia (new window) before making a choice to drink:

• Any person who is found to be in public and in an intoxicated state will be charged with being intoxicated in public. This offense is punishable by up to a $250 fine and incarceration of the person for a period of time, determined by the magistrate.
• Any person younger than age 21 is prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol. Any violation of this offense will constitute the person being charged with a Class 1 Misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
• Any person who operates a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is found to be intoxicated and/or above the legal blood alcohol content level (.08 for 21 years of age and .02 for persons younger than 21 years of age) shall be charged with driving under the influence, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500