IMPORTANT NEWS...
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Protects Students from Underage Drinking in Preparation for School Year
August 16, 2010
TALLAHASSEE—As students return to college and high school campuses throughout Florida, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco is ensuring compliance with underage drinking laws and retailer compliance with alcoholic beverage sales. Tallahassee agents conducted 57 alcohol compliance checks over the past week and made 7 arrests for the sale of alcoholic beverages to a person under 21 years of age. The information below shows the retailers, locations and individuals cited:
Retailer |
Address |
Clerk |
| La Rumba | 2690 N. Monroe St. | Mario Billasenor Rodriguez |
| Long Horns Steakhouse | 2400 N. Monroe St. | Erica Alana Thorne |
| Circle K | 3211 Mahan Dr. | Sarah Salerno |
| La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant | 2329 Apalachee Parkway | Barajas Figueroa |
| Romanos Macaroni Grill | 1498 Apalachee Parkway | Brette Peeples |
| Applebees Neighborhood Grill | 1355 Apalachee Parkway | Djawa Hall |
| Ming Tree Chinese Restaurant | 1435 E. Lafayette St. | Guo Lin |
Both individuals and establishments face stiff penalties for violating alcoholic beverage laws. Establishments that sell alcohol to individuals under the age of 21 three times within a 12-week period face up to a $1,000 fine and a seven-day license suspension. Individuals who sell or give alcohol to underage youth face a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. A new law stiffens criminal penalties for anyone caught two or more times giving alcohol to underage drinkers. Anyone who facilitates underage drinking will be subject to a first-degree misdemeanor on the second offense. Individuals under the age of 21 in possession of alcoholic beverages face a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.
The mission of ABT is to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, to ensure that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida, and to collect taxes and fees related to these industries.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.