Ohio prohibits underage purchase, possession, and consumption of alcohol (R.C. 4301.69) — generally a first-degree misdemeanor — and sets a lower OVI threshold for drivers under 21: OVUAC (Operating a Vehicle After Underage Consumption), R.C. 4511.19(B), applies at a breath-alcohol level of just .02 and is typically a fourth-degree misdemeanor with a license suspension, rising to a first-degree misdemeanor at higher levels.
These cases are very often diversion-eligible, and a good outcome can keep the matter off a young person’s permanent record entirely. Where OVUAC is charged, the same stop, observation, and chemical-test challenges that apply to adult OVI cases apply here — and our firm defends OVI as a core practice.
How Ohio Classifies & Punishes Underage Alcohol & OVUAC
| Circumstance | Classification | Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Underage consumption/possession (R.C. 4301.69) | Misdemeanor 1 | Up to 180 days; up to $1,000 |
| OVUAC at .02–.08 (under 21) | Misdemeanor 4 | Up to 30 days; license suspension |
| Higher-level under-21 OVI | Misdemeanor 1 | Adult-style OVI penalties |
How We Defend Underage Alcohol & OVUAC Charges
An arrest is an accusation, not a verdict. Our defense of a underage alcohol & ovuac charge begins with the questions the State would rather not answer:
- Diversion and treatment programs that keep the offense off the record.
- For OVUAC: the full range of stop, field-sobriety, and chemical-test challenges.
- Whether the police had a lawful basis for the stop, the detention, or the encounter that led to the charge.
- Whether the under-21 driver was actually operating or impaired at the .02 level.
- Protecting the driver’s license and future.
We bring that same disciplined approach — testing every procedure, every protocol, and every piece of the State’s evidence — to underage alcohol & ovuac cases across our nine-county Southern Ohio footprint. Where the evidence supports it, we negotiate for reduction or dismissal; where it does not, we are prepared to try the case.
Underage Alcohol & OVUAC — Common Questions
What is OVUAC?
OVUAC — Operating a Vehicle After Underage Consumption (R.C. 4511.19(B)) — is the under-21 version of OVI, triggered at a breath-alcohol level of just .02. It's typically a fourth-degree misdemeanor with a license suspension, and the same OVI defenses apply.
Can an underage drinking charge be kept off my record?
Often yes. Many courts offer diversion for first-time underage alcohol offenses that results in dismissal after conditions are met — keeping the matter off a young person's permanent record.
Will my child lose their license?
OVUAC carries a license suspension, and certain alcohol offenses can affect a young driver's license. Protecting the license — critical for school and work — is a core goal in these cases.
Talk to a White-Collar & Other Crimes Defense Attorney Today
If you or someone you love is facing a underage alcohol & ovuac charge in Lawrence, Scioto, Jackson, Gallia, Athens, Adams, Meigs, Pike, or Ross County, call (740) 532-8744 for a free, confidential consultation. We have offices in Ironton and Chesapeake and respond the same business day in most cases.