Underage Drinking in Missouri: What Parents and Students Need to Know
Finder Law Serves Clients Across Jefferson City, Columbia, and Central Missouri
June 26, 2025
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.
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of back and neck injuries in Missouri. Even a seemingly minor collision can result in serious pain, long-term complications, and costly medical treatment. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to understand how these injuries are treated legally and medically—and what your rights are under Missouri law. At Finder Law, LLC, we help accident victims pursue the compensation they deserve so they can focus on recovery.
A 44-year-old Eldon man is seriously hurt after he crashed his UTV around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday in Miller County, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. The report states the man was riding a 2015 Polaris Razor with a 17-year-old Eldon boy on Spring Garden Road, east of Short Road. He made a right turn, causing the UTV to flip onto its left side. The man was taken to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries. The teen was taken to St. Mary's Hospital by ambulance with moderate injuries, according to the report. The report states they were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. The UTV had minor damage. UTV accidents are often far more serious than people realize, particularly when these recreational vehicles are struck by a full-sized car or truck. The limited protection UTVs offer—combined with their open design and lighter frame—can lead to catastrophic injuries, including broken bones, spinal trauma, and even fatalities. These incidents frequently happen when drivers of larger vehicles fail to see UTVs on rural roads or underestimate their vulnerability. Victims of crashes like these or other car accidents can call Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC for legal representation. All facts of the incident are based on preliminary reporting done by The Missouri State Highway Patrol & KMIZ.
A patrol car crash left one person seriously injured Wednesday on East Elm Street at Clark Avenue in Jefferson City. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the accident happened around 4:33 p.m. when a Ford pickup truck driven by a 37-year-old man was making a left turn and a Zhejiang Dongpai moped driven by a 59-year-old male was traveling across the roadway. The front of the Ford pickup truck struck the side of the moped leaving the 59-year-old man seriously injured, according to the report. MSHP said the 37-year-old was wearing a seatbelt, while the 59-year-old was not wearing a helmet. The 59-year-old was taken to University Hospital in Columbia by Cole County EMS. Moped accidents can result in devastating injuries, especially when a rider is struck by a larger vehicle. Because mopeds are smaller and offer little to no protection, riders are at high risk of suffering head injuries, fractures, or severe road rash in a collision. Many of these crashes occur when drivers fail to check blind spots or misjudge a moped’s speed on busy streets. Victims of crashes like these or other car accidents can call Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC for legal representation. All facts of the incident are based on preliminary reporting done by The Missouri State Highway Patrol & KOMU.
A 65-year-old man was flown to University Hospital in Columbia on Thursday evening after a crash was reported on Highway 7 in Camden County near Granger Lane, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The report says a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado – drive by a 63-year-old Lake St. Louis man – was heading southbound when it crossed the center line and hit a 2022 Ford Maverick heading in the opposite direction. The Ford was driven by a 65-year-old man from Edwards, Missouri. The Ford then crossed the center line and hit a 2018 GMC Acadia head-on, the report says. The GMC was driven by a 21-year-old woman from Brumley, Missouri. The Chevrolet went then off the right side of the road and hit a tree and the other two vehicles also went off the side of the road. Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of car accidents, often resulting in life-altering injuries or fatalities due to the force of two vehicles colliding directly. These crashes frequently occur on rural roads or highways when a driver crosses the center line, drives the wrong way, or is distracted or impaired. The impact can cause severe trauma such as brain injuries, fractures, and internal damage, leaving victims facing long recoveries and significant financial burdens. Victims of crashes like these or other car accidents can call Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC for legal representation. All facts of the incident are based on preliminary reporting done by The Missouri State Highway Patrol & KMIZ.
Two vehicles were involved in a fatal crash on Sunday in Camden County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) reported that a 2011 Chevrolet Impala was traveling north on Route M, just north of Dry Hollow Road. Around 11:04 p.m., the Chevy crossed the center line and struck a semi-truck head-on. The 19-year-old male from Steelville, Mo., who was driving the car, was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:57 p.m. by the Camden County Medical Examiner. Head-on collisions on two-lane highways can be catastrophic, especially when one of the vehicles involved is a semi-truck. The narrow lanes and lack of barriers leave little margin for error, and when a massive truck crosses the center line or a smaller vehicle drifts into oncoming traffic, the results are often tragic. The sheer size and weight of a semi can cause devastating injuries or fatalities even at moderate speeds, leaving survivors with lasting physical and emotional trauma. Victims of crashes like these or other car accidents can call Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC for legal representation. All facts of the incident are based on preliminary reporting done by The Missouri State Highway Patrol & KRCG.
Two people were seriously injured in a crash in Callaway County on Saturday evening, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The crash happened at 6:33 p.m. near Route WW, east of County Road 259. The report says an 18-year-old Moberly woman was heading eastbound in a 2012 Ford Fiesta and crossed the center of the roadway, striking a 1999 Dodge 1500 driven by a 49-year-old Harrisburg man, which was traveling westbound. The vehicles came to a stop in the road after the crash, according to the report. The man and woman were transported to University Hospital by Callaway County EMS. Head-on collisions are among the most devastating types of crashes, and they are particularly common and dangerous on two-lane highways. With vehicles traveling in opposite directions and often separated by only a painted line, even a brief moment of distraction, fatigue, or impaired driving can lead to disaster. These collisions typically occur at high speeds, intensifying the impact and causing severe or fatal injuries. Victims of crashes like these or other car accidents can call Daniel Finder at Finder Law, LLC for legal representation. All facts of the incident are based on preliminary reporting done by The Missouri State Highway Patrol & KMIZ.
When couples in Missouri think about prenuptial agreements, they often focus on what would happen in the event of divorce. But what many people don’t realize is that a prenuptial agreement (prenup) can also have a major impact on your estate plan. At Finder Law, LLC, we can help clients understand how their prenuptial agreements interact with wills, trusts, and inheritance rights. Below, we explain why this connection is important and how to make sure your estate plan aligns with your prenup.
Slip and fall accidents happen every day, often when we least expect them. While some falls result in only minor injuries, others can lead to serious medical issues such as broken bones, head injuries, or long-term disability. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in Missouri, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim against the responsible party.  At Finder Law, LLC, we help accident victims understand their rights and fight for the compensation they deserve.
Divorce is never easy, especially when children are involved. Even after the divorce is finalized, many parents face ongoing challenges as they work to co-parent effectively. In Missouri, family courts prioritize the best interests of the child, which often means both parents must continue to share parenting responsibilities. At Finder Law, LLC, we understand how overwhelming co-parenting can feel. Below, we outline common challenges Missouri parents face after divorce and practical strategies for overcoming them.
When most people think of personal injury claims, they picture physical harm—broken bones, surgeries, or lasting physical disabilities. But not all injuries are visible. Many accident victims suffer emotional and psychological damages such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Missouri, these types of damages are recognized under personal injury law. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the mental and emotional toll it has taken on your life. At Finder Law, LLC, we know that emotional injuries are just as real—and just as life-altering—as physical ones. Here’s what you need to know about recovering for these damages in Missouri.
