If you own a bar or a liquor store, you know how important it is to keep your liquor license in good standing. Losing it could seriously affect your business’s bottom line, so it’s important to resolve any problems with your liquor license promptly. While laws vary by state, there are several common reasons you could lose your liquor license. Learn more about them below!
Serving Alcohol to Minors
Serving alcohol to minors can be a major violation that can result in a number of consequences. The exact penalties vary by state, but they can include fines, community service and loss of your liquor license. Underage drinking is a serious problem, and police take this issue seriously. One of the best ways to discourage it is by punishing those who break the laws by supplying or selling alcohol to underage customers.
In most cases, a person who sells or provides alcohol to a minor can be charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses depending on the circumstances of the situation and the state's laws. In some states, a mistake about the buyer's age can factor into the decision of what sentence is appropriate. If you are convicted of this crime, you can face significant penalties, including jail time. In addition, you can lose your liquor license or have your business shut down.
The severity of the consequences depends on several factors, such as whether you are a business owner or a bartender. If you are the bartender, you may be subject to additional penalties, such as community service. You could also be liable for the injuries or property damage that were caused by an intoxicated person who drank in your establishment. In New Jersey, this is known as Social Host Liability Law, and if you serve alcohol to a minor who later commits an accident, you can be held liable for damages.
Despite the potential for severe consequences, there are ways to fight these charges and avoid the worst consequences. The first step is to contact an attorney who understands the laws regarding serving alcohol to minors. Another option is to attend a training program, such as ATAP, that provides instruction on recognizing fake IDs and managing conflict to maintain a safe environment for your customers. This type of training will help you avoid the mistakes that often lead to underage sales and reduce your risk of losing license of your liquor store.
Underage drinking is a serious problem, especially in younger generations. As the Center for Disease Control reports, a third of teens drink, and 14 percent binge drink.
Violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act
If you're in the business of selling or serving alcoholic beverages, there are many reasons why you could lose your liquor license. One of the most common reasons is that you violate the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Act or the local ordinances regulating your business. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act is an important part of preventing underage drinking and protecting the safety of your patrons. It imposes strict requirements on the sale, service and distribution of alcohol in New York.
There are many things that you can do to avoid violating the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.
You should make sure that your employees receive the proper training. This can be done through the Responsible Vendor/Server program.
You should make sure that your employees don't serve alcoholic beverages to intoxicated patrons or guests. This is a violation of state law and can result in disciplinary action by the Authority.
You should ensure that your business meets all of the requirements set forth by the Department of Health. This includes compliance with health and safety regulations and building codes.
You should ensure that your liquor license is up to date. This will protect you from fines that can be imposed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.
You should take your responsibilities seriously and avoid making any missteps that could lead to the loss of your license. This can be achieved through the responsible management of your establishment and adherence to all rules set by the Authority.
You should also consider implementing a security plan to ensure that your property is safe for customers and employees. This plan will include things like locking doors and removing alcohol from your premises when necessary.
The Alcoholic Beverage control Act also prohibits the possession of any alcoholic beverage on a public street or sidewalk at all times during daylight hours. This is a serious offense and can cause your business to face fines or even loss of your liquor license. It has a very strong record of enforcement and is committed to maintaining the integrity of our alcoholic beverage industry. It is also dedicated to educating our citizens about the dangers of underage drinking and helping to prevent this problem.
Failure to Maintain Records
You may be able to lose your liquor license if you fail to maintain certain types of records. These records include purchase invoices for beer, liquor, and cigarettes that you must keep for two years. While it may not seem like a big deal to keep your receipts in a safe and organized place, if you’re ever pulled over for DUI or if your alcohol vendor decides to run a sting operation at your business, having the right records will help you stay in the clear.
One of the most common reasons your license could be revoked is if you serve illegal alcoholic beverages on the premises. This is a violation of the laws of your state, and it is possible to face felony charges for serving them. Another reason for a revoked liquor license is for failure to maintain adequate security on the premises, which includes hiring security guards that are properly licensed. This can be a big deal for you, your employees, and your patrons, and it can also be an expensive problem to fix.
The best way to handle these matters is to have an experienced and knowledgeable Milwaukee liquor lawyer on your side. We can help you understand alcoholic requirements and guide you through the process of applying for your liquor license. Whether you’re opening a new establishment or are dealing with an existing one, our team of former liquor authorities can help you get up to speed on all the rules and regulations that will govern your business and help you avoid unnecessary fines and other unpleasant consequences.
Losing Control of Your Guests
If your guests are loud, aggressive or obnoxious and don't respond to polite but firm requests for them to quiet down, you could end up losing your liquor license. This is especially true if neighboring businesses or residents make complaints about the behavior. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your liquor license in good standing. One of the most common is to ensure that your staff is properly trained to follow all alcohol laws in your location. This can help your establishment avoid lawsuits, improve customer service and keep your employees satisfied, which will lead to increased retention.
Training also helps your staff understand how to spot an inebriated patron, what they should do when they are being served, and how to de-escalate a potentially dangerous situation. This can protect your business against lawsuits and a loss of customers, as well as prevent liquor liability fines from being issued. Another way to keep your liquor license in good standing is to make sure that all of your staff members are at least 21 years old. Serving minors is an extremely serious mistake that can cost you a lot of money.
In some jurisdictions, your employees may be required to take BASSET training, which teaches them how to recognize intoxicated people and to handle dangerous situations appropriately. This can prevent your establishment from losing its liquor license, as staff who are confident in their abilities to handle difficult situations will be more likely to stay at your bar or restaurant.
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