My party was BYOB. Why am I charged with Furnishing Alcohol?

Many Penn State students and local residents mistakenly believe that they can avoid criminal charges for Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor simply by hosting a BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) party and not directly providing the alcohol. Unfortunately, this is a dangerous misconception.

Under Pennsylvania law, you can still be charged—and convicted—even if you never physically handed alcohol to a minor. Ignorance of the law is NOT a defense.

What Does “Furnish” Mean Under Pennsylvania Law?

While the ordinary meaning of “furnish” typically means to supply, provide, or give something, the legal definition in Pennsylvania is much broader—especially when it comes to underage drinking laws.

Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6310.6, part of Pennsylvania’s Crimes Code:

“Furnish” means to allow a minor to possess alcohol on premises or property owned or controlled by the person charged.

In other words, simply allowing underage individuals to drink on your property—even if they bring the alcohol themselves—can result in a Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor charge.

Hosting a BYOB party does not protect you from legal consequences.

Living at the Residence = Legal Responsibility

It’s also important to understand that you don’t need to be the party host or the person who sent out invitations to face charges. If you live at the apartment, house, or dorm where the underage drinking occurs and you are present at the party, the law imposes a duty to prevent underage drinking.

Exceptions: What if You’re Not Home?

If you were not present, unaware of the party, and had no reasonable way of knowing underage drinking was happening, you typically cannot be held legally responsible. You can’t prevent what you don’t know about.

However, these situations can quickly become complicated, which is why it’s essential to speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in State College if you’re facing charges.

Charged with Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor? Call a State College Defense Lawyer

If you’ve been charged with Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor or any underage drinking offense in State College or the surrounding areas, it’s crucial to seek experienced legal representation. Since 2004, Attorney Jason S. Dunkle has been successfully defending Penn State students and local residents facing alcohol-related charges. He understands the local courts, the university system, and how to protect your future.

For a free case review, contact JD Law by email or leave a message at (814) 689-9139. Email is the preferred method of communication, as phone calls are directed to voicemail due to the high volume of spam and unsolicited calls.