The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) today took to the public route to remind Texas retailers about the consequences of retailers serving alcohol to minors during prom and graduation season.

Selling and/or serving alcoholic beverages to a minor is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to a $4,000.00 fine and/or up to one year jail. Business owners could be fined or have their TABC license or permit suspended or canceled because of the illegal actions of their employees.

According to the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, the most important action that retailers can take to reduce sales to persons under 21 is to demand identification from young-looking customers consistently and conscientiously.  All too often, young people are able to buy alcohol without any identification at all.  "Checking IDs is the most important step retailers can take to ensure the safety of our young people and our communities," said Mindy Carroll, Director of Education and Prevention for TABC.

The TABC states they offer several free training programs to help retailers and their employees become responsible sellers and servers of alcoholic beverages. They also encourage retailers to require their employees to be Seller/Server Certified through a TABC approved course. TABC Seller/Server training courses cover the laws applicable to the sales or service of alcoholic beverages to minors and intoxicated persons. The courses also teach techniques to identify these persons and prevent sales to them.

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