Law Library Articles

Top 10 Liquor License Articles in the LegalMatch Law Library

Americans love their alcohol. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 67.1% of adults aged 18 and older reported drinking alcohol in the past year. The same 2023 survey found that 47.5% of individuals aged 12 and older were current alcohol users, meaning they had consumed alcohol in the past month. It’s no wonder that selling alcohol can be a profitable business.

A person who wants to open a business that sells alcohol must first obtain a liquor license. A liquor license is a permit to sell alcohol. There are different types of liquor licenses, and the type of license you need will depend on the type of business you want to open. The process for obtaining a liquor license can be difficult, and it is wise to hire a qualified liquor license lawyer in your area.

Here are the top ten liquor license articles from the LegalMatch law library to help you get started:

1. Selling Alcohol to Minors

It is illegal to furnish alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. This includes buying alcohol for a minor or serving it at a party. The penalties for this offense can include fines and jail time.

2. Bar Licenses Lawyer

Opening a bar requires obtaining several licenses. The most important of these is a liquor license. The process for getting a license is different in every state and can be difficult to complete without a lawyer’s help. Read this article to learn more about the laws and regulations covering bar licenses.

3. New York Dram Shop Laws

New York’s dram shop law holds businesses responsible for serving a person who is visibly intoxicated. If that person then causes harm, the business can be sued. The injured party can seek damages from the establishment that served the alcohol.

4. California Dram Shop Laws

California law generally does not hold businesses liable for the actions of their intoxicated patrons. A major exception is when an establishment serves alcohol to a minor who is obviously intoxicated. In that case, the business can be held responsible for any resulting harm.

5. Dry Laws

Some states and counties have “dry laws” that prohibit the sale of alcohol. These laws can vary widely from one location to another. Violating these laws can result in fines and other legal penalties.

6. Liability for Serving Alcohol

A person who serves alcohol to a guest can sometimes be held liable for their actions. This is known as social host liability. The host can be held responsible if they knew the guest was drunk and it was clear they posed a risk to others.

7. Illinois Dram Shop Laws

The Illinois Dram Shop Act allows a person injured by an intoxicated individual to sue the business that sold them alcohol. The law also holds property owners responsible if they allow a business to sell alcohol on their property. There are limits on the amount of damages that can be awarded in these cases.

8. Florida Dram Shop Laws

Florida’s dram shop laws are limited. A business is generally not liable for injuries caused by a customer they served. However, a business can be sued if they serve a minor or a person who is known to be addicted to alcohol.

9. Liquor License General Process

Getting a liquor license involves several steps. You must first determine what type of license you need for your business. Then you will need to complete an application and pay the required fees to the state.

10. Texas Dram Shop Laws

Texas law allows a person who has been injured by a drunk individual to sue the establishment that served them. To win, it must be proven that the business served a patron who was obviously intoxicated. The intoxication must have been the direct cause of the injuries.