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Indiana criminal charge

Minors in taverns prohibited in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Minors in taverns prohibited is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-10. Its classification is not fixed: Indiana assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-10.

What is the penalty for minors in taverns prohibited in Indiana?

Penalties for Minors in taverns prohibited
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Fineup to $500 (Minor in tavern — A minor knowingly or intentionally is present in a tavern, bar, or other public place where alcoholic beverages are sold, bartered, exchanged, given away, provided, or furnished.; civil judgment, not a criminal conviction (IC 34-28-5); no jail; IC 34-28-5-4(f) exceptions may set a different amount)discretionaryInd. Code § 34-28-5-4
Jail / prisonup to 60 days (Permittee allowing minor to remain — A permittee recklessly permits a minor to remain in the prohibited place beyond a reasonable time in which an ordinary prudent person could check identification to confirm the patron's age.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-4
Fineup to $500 (Permittee allowing minor to remain — A permittee recklessly permits a minor to remain in the prohibited place beyond a reasonable time in which an ordinary prudent person could check identification to confirm the patron's age.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-4

Applies to current.

How is minors in taverns prohibited classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Minors in taverns prohibited
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Minor in tavernClass C InfractionA minor knowingly or intentionally is present in a tavern, bar, or other public place where alcoholic beverages are sold, bartered, exchanged, given away, provided, or furnished.Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-10(a)
Permittee allowing minor to remainClass C MisdemeanorA permittee recklessly permits a minor to remain in the prohibited place beyond a reasonable time in which an ordinary prudent person could check identification to confirm the patron's age.Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-10(b)

Common questions about minors in taverns prohibited in Indiana

Is minors in taverns prohibited a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: minors in taverns prohibited ranges from a Class C Infraction to a Class C Misdemeanor in Indiana under Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-10.

Minor in tavern: Class C Infraction (Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-10(a)) · Permittee allowing minor to remain: Class C Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-10(b))

What are the penalties for minors in taverns prohibited in Indiana?

Penalties for minors in taverns prohibited in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Class C Infraction up to a Class C Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 34-28-5-4 and Ind. Code § 35-50-3-4; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Indiana statute covers minors in taverns prohibited?

Minors in taverns prohibited is governed by Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-10 (Minors in taverns prohibited).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.