NY State Announces Crackdown on Underage Drinking in April

If you're not 21, you'd better not be drinking or buying alcohol - because New York State is cracking down.

Governor Cuomo announced a a joint effort by state agencies to crack down on underage drinking throughout the state during the month of April. The Liquor Authority and the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with local law enforcement, will be enforcing drinking laws at locations that have liquor licenses. That includes bars, restaurants, liquor stores and grocery stores, looking for fake IDs and retailers who sell alcohol to minors.

In January 2019, Governor Cuomo announced the DMV charged 892 individuals with possessing fake identifications in 2018.

The penalties for using a fake ID are pretty steep: you can be arrested or have your license suspended for anywhere from 90 days to a year. Businesses in violation can be fined up to $100,000 and lose their liquor license.