21 years of age and older, except under the circumstances noted below.
NO, unless those attending the party bring a parent or legal guardian with them. Even if the underage guests BYOB you as the property owner, renter, occupier CANNOT allow them to consume alcohol on your premises.
NO; the only way the under age guests can drink alcohol at your house is if they have a parent, guardian or spouse 21 years old or over PHYSICALLY PRESENT with them at the party.
NO, unless you are the parent, guardian or spouse of those you are buying the alcohol for. Even under those circumstances the friends cannot drink the alcohol unless they are “in the presence of” a parent, legal guardian or spouse who is 21 or older.
YES; the law requires you to take reasonable steps to verify the purchaser is 21 years of age or older. This will generally involve asking for and CAREFULLY checking a photo ID of the purchaser. If the ID happens to be forged or false you MAY escape legal liability for the sale, but it would depend upon the circumstances.
If the under age user is under 18 years old they can be charged and prosecuted in Juvenile Court. If they are 18 but less than 21 years old they could be charged and prosecuted in Municipal Court. The same is true for those who purchase, provide, OR allow under age consumption on their property. Most violations of under age alcohol laws are Misdemeanors of the 1st degree carrying possible jail confinement of 6 months and/or a $1,000 fine.
YES, for example if you host or allow a party at your house where alcohol is consumed by under age guests (REGARDLESS of who supplies the alcohol), you could be sued if any harm, injury, or death results from the alcohol consumption. Such a lawsuit could seek substantial monetary damages from you and any others who were involved in violating the law.
Legally, yes if you are physically present with them when they are drinking, BUT most restaurants will not allow underage patrons to have/drink alcohol on their premises as a matter of policy.
The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) contains these laws. Particularly, Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.69 contains most of the information concerning underage alcohol possession and use. Penalties are in Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.99. These and other related laws can be found here.
Also, by typing “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” into your Internet search engine you will find numerous websites, news releases and other information concerning underage alcohol consumption.