Peak times for Underage DUIs in MO
Finder Law Serves Clients Across Jefferson City, Columbia, and Central Missouri
Kara McNabb • June 5, 2025
Underage Drinking in Missouri: What Parents and Students Need to Know 
Each academic year brings milestones worth celebrating—homecoming, Halloween, winter break, prom, and graduation. Unfortunately, these high-spirited events often coincide with a spike in underage drinking incidents across Missouri. While young people may view underage drinking as a rite of passage, Missouri law takes these offenses seriously—and the consequences can be long-lasting.
Understanding Missouri's Underage Drinking Laws
In Missouri, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol. This applies whether you're at a house party, in a parked car, or even holding alcohol for someone else. Additionally, providing alcohol to minors is a criminal offense, with parents and other adults potentially facing serious charges if they allow underage drinking on their property.
A first offense of Minor in Possession (MIP) can lead to:
- A fine of up to $300
- Suspension or revocation of a driver’s license
- A permanent criminal record

Repeat offenses or situations involving driving under the influence (DUI/DWI) can bring more severe penalties, including jail time.
Key Risk Periods During the School Year
Certain times during the academic calendar consistently see higher incidents of underage drinking:
- Back to School & Homecoming (August–October): The excitement of a new school year and social events can lead students to experiment with alcohol.
- Halloween & Thanksgiving Break: Parties during these fall holidays often involve alcohol, sometimes supplied by older peers or even adults.
- Winter Break & New Year’s Eve: Extended time away from school gives teens more opportunity—and often less supervision.
- Spring Break: Whether traveling or staying local, underage drinking is a common concern during this time.
- Prom & Graduation Season (April–June): These rites of passage often include celebrations that involve alcohol.
The Long-Term Consequences
Beyond legal penalties, an MIP or DUI charge can affect college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and future employment. In some cases, teens may also face disciplinary action from their schools or extracurricular programs.
How Finder Law, LLC Can Help
If your child or a loved one has been charged with underage drinking in Missouri, it's crucial to act quickly. These cases are not just about a night of poor judgment—they’re about protecting a young person’s future.

At Finder Law, LLC, our founding attorney, Daniel Finder, brings years of experience handling criminal defense cases, including those involving minors. He works to minimize the legal impact and explore every option to protect your child’s rights and record.
Don’t let one mistake shape the rest of your life.
Contact Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC today for experienced and compassionate legal representation in Missouri underage drinking cases.
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance, please contact our office directly.
Running a business in Missouri often involves extending credit to customers, clients, or other businesses. While most customers pay their bills on time, unpaid debts can create significant cash flow issues and affect the overall health of your business. Fortunately, Missouri law provides several avenues for business owners to pursue collection of unpaid debts.  Understanding your options and the proper legal procedures can help you recover the money you are owed efficiently and effectively.
A two-vehicle crash occurred on Wednesday evening on I-70 in Cooper County. At 5:48 pm, a Sedalia man driving a 2012 Nissan Frontier went off the roadway on Westbound I-70 in Cooper County to avoid the driver of a 2021 Westenstar 4700. The Nissan then went off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The driver of the 2021 Westenstar 4700 was taken to University Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. Highway crashes are often especially dangerous because of higher speeds, heavier traffic, and limited reaction time, which can turn even a brief mistake into a serious collision. Victims frequently suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal and neck injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries that may require extensive medical treatment and time away from work. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a highway crash, contact Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC to discuss your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve. All facts of the incident are based on preliminary reporting done by The Missouri State Highway Patrol.
A staff member suffered minor injuries when a Montgomery County school bus was hit by a car Wednesday morning. The Montgomery County R-2 bus was hit at about 7:30 a.m. on Highway 19 near Route WW just north of New Florence, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. A Hyundai Elantra driven by a 35-year-old Wellsville woman hit the bus after crossing the center line, the patrol reported. The Hyundai driver was taken by ambulance to Lake St. Louis Hospital with moderate injuries. The injured school employee, 63, of High Hill, was taken to the Hermann Area District Hospital with minor injuries. The one student on the bus was not hurt, said Superintendent Brian White. When a vehicle crosses the center line on a highway, the resulting crash is often violent due to high speeds and the risk of a head-on impact. These collisions frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, neck and spinal injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, and severe soft-tissue injuries that can have lasting effects. In the most serious cases, victims are left facing long-term medical care, lost income, and permanent disabilities. If you or a loved one has been injured in a center-line crash, contact Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC to discuss your legal options and protect your right to full compensation. All facts of the incident are based on preliminary reporting done by The Missouri State Highway Patrol and KMIZ.
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Two men were seriously injured Wednesday afternoon in a pickup truck crash on Missouri Route 19 in Montgomery County. A 60-year-old Owensville man was severely injured Wednesday afternoon in a single- vehicle accident on Missouri Route 19 in Montgomery County. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) crash report, the incident happened around 4:09 p.m. when a southbound 2015 Toyota Tundra pickup truck ran off the roadway near Loutre Bend Road, careened down an embankment, and crashed into multiple trees. A passenger, identified as a 60-year-old Owensville man, was ejected and severely injured. He was transported to University Hospital for treatment. The 28-year-old St. Clair man driving was brought to Mercy Hospital. Car crashes can cause devastating injuries. A momentary distraction can lead to serious consequences such as broken bones, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries—often leaving victims with lasting pain and financial strain. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC to discuss your rights and explore your options for recovery. All facts of the incident are based on preliminary reporting done by The Missouri State Highway Patrol and The Legal Advocate.
Being held in contempt of court in Missouri is a serious legal matter that can have significant consequences. Contempt occurs when an individual disobeys a court order, disrupts court proceedings, or otherwise fails to comply with the authority of the court. Understanding the types of contempt, reasons someone may be held in contempt, and the potential consequences is essential for anyone involved in legal proceedings.
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A rear-end accident along MO-52 left two men injured on Wednesday afternoon near Quarry Ln, prompting a response from area emergency services. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. when a 2023 Ford Transit van, driven westbound by a 33-year-old man from Eldon, struck the rear of a 2001 Dodge Dakota that was stopped in the westbound lane. The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles, with the Dakota sustaining total damage. Both came to rest on the roadway facing westbound. The driver of the Dodge, a 72-year-old man from Versailles, was not wearing a seatbelt and sustained moderate injuries. He was transported by Mid-Mo Ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital for further treatment. The Ford driver initially refused care but was later listed with moderate injuries and taken to the same facility. Garbers Towing removed both vehicles from the scene as troopers with Troop F completed their investigation. The cause of the crash remains under review. Rear-end crashes may seem minor at first, but they often cause serious and lasting injuries. Victims commonly suffer whiplash, neck and back injuries, herniated discs, concussions, spinal injuries, and soft-tissue damage that can worsen over time. The sudden force of being struck from behind can also lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and missed time from work, even when vehicle damage appears minimal. If you or a loved one was injured in a rear-end collision, call Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC to discuss your options and get experienced personal injury representation. All facts of the incident are based on preliminary reporting done by The Missouri State Highway Patrol.
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