California Department of Alcoholic Beverages Control (ABC) may impose administrative penalties to encourage and reinforce voluntary compliance with the law. These violations may also lead to criminal investigation and prosecution. The most common violations of the ABC guidelines are: Sales to minors under Business and Professions Code §25658 25658.1, employment of minors under B&P Code 25663, sales to obviously intoxicated person under B&P Code 25602, Alcoholic Beverage Not Permitted by License under B&P Code 25607 & 23355, Organized, local or electronic gambling under B&P Code, Food Stamp Violations under B&P Code 24200(a).
ABC enforces alcohol and beverage laws. Most cases that require a criminal attorney representation in Los Angeles. California stem from undercover or sting operations by California ABC agents. ABC enforces California laws as to manufacture, safety, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages in California. It is illegal for liquor stores to purchase liquor from uncertified suppliers or in black market at a lower price. Our Criminal Lawyers have found that liquor store owners are under scrutiny by ABC frequently and they could fall to a sting operation in which an undercover officer acts as a supplier and offers bottles of wine at a very low price to induce the owner, manager or employee of the store to purchase the supplies illegally. Then the rest of the crew will come in and arrest all those involved. It is irrelevant how many bottles were offered and it is irrelevant whether the transaction was in fact completed.
Liquor store and wine bar owners could also get into criminal trouble if they provide alcohol to minors under the age of 21 in California. It is not uncommon for ABC undercover agents to act as a very young patron in an attempt to purchase alcohol from a bar, restaurant or grocery store. Cashiers, employees and clerks at these establishments must be trained to always check everyone’s identification to verify they are of legal age and could purchase alcoholic beverages. Entrapment could be a defense in these cases but it may not always work. If you have been arrested for the crime of offering or selling alcohol to a minor, you may need the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to establish the defense of entrapment.
ABC also cites and punishes alcohol providers for various other violations of California alcohol and beverage control laws, including violations of licensing or posting requirements, storage and sanitation violations, labeling violations, wine and beer laws, and numerous other local and state codes and regulations.
Have you been charged with violation of California liquor laws or local liquor licensing laws? We are a team of experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys and can aggressively defend you in all Southern California courts including Los Angeles, Pasadena, Van Nuys, El Monte, LA, Long Beach, and the Airport courthouse.
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or ABC, regulates licensing, sales, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. in California, no business that provides liquor to the public may serve or sell to anyone under the age of 21. Also, no one under the age of 18 may by hired to serve alcohol in a restaurant or bar. You must be 21 to drink and pour liquor.
Also, no alcohol may be sold by any store or served by any bar from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. To protect the safety of the public, liquor laws also prohibit the sale of alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person.
If one decides to carry liquor in a vehicle, it cannot be opened or consumed while in the vehicle. All bottles or containers of liquor must be sealed and unopened. If liquor is being transported, it must be placed in the rear or cargo compartment of the vehicle or truck and not in the passenger section.
Also, there are vehicle codes prohibiting drinking and driving while under the influence of alcoholic beverages. And finally one who is drunk or intoxicated could be arrested if he is found on the street or in a public place.
If you have been arrested and charged with a violation related to state or federal laws relating to alcohol and beverage sales and use laws, contact the Law offices of Tony M. Seyfi to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney so that you receive aggressive and reliable representation in court.
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Criminal prosecution can affect your health, freedom, employment, and social life. You need help and you need the best criminal defense you can get. At the Law Offices of Tony M. Seyfi, with the state of the art computerized legal research tools and forensic techniques, we will focus on identifying the defenses you may have and will develop numerous challenges to any crime possible.
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