Utah alcohol laws apply to the state’s residents and visitors. They are often complex. When Utah was preparing to host the Olympics, the state made some efforts to streamline its alcohol laws.
Mormons settled Utah in the mid-1800s. That is, by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In fact, the headquarters of the church is located there. Today, fully two-thirds of the Utah’s residents are Mormon. And two-thirds of all Mormons in the US live in the state. Their religion forbids Mormons to drink alcohol. Utah alcohol laws reflect this anti-alcohol view.
Overview
I. Minimum Age Laws
II. Other Utah Alcohol Laws
III. Resources
IV. BAC Controversy
V. Get Legal Advice
I. Minimum Age Laws
Utah is unusual in that it mandates an age of 21 or older to serve alcohol or tend bar. That is also the age for working in a store selling alcohol for use elsewhere.
An exception is that persons ages 17 through 20 may sell beer in stores for off-site drinking. But a person aged 21 or older must supervise them. Also, the supervisor must be on-site at the time of sales.
Utah alcohol laws prohibit drinking alcohol by those under 21. There are absolutely no exceptions for medical, religious, or other reasons. Thus doctors may not prescribe any meds that contain any alcohol. Nor may priests or ministers give communion wine. And parents may not give wine for Seder.
The U.S. Constitution First Amendment guarantee of religious freedom. That doesn’t seem to apply in Utah.
For those under age 21, it is illegal to drive with any measurable alcohol in the body.
Utah alcohol laws consider adults age 18, 19, and 20 to be minors or children. And they refer to them as such.
II. Other Utah Alcohol Laws
A. Selling Alcohol
Utah has a government alcohol monopoly. It applies the sale of virtually all packaged beer, wine, and distilled spirits (liquor). The exception is that other retailers may sell 3.2% alcohol beer elsewhere.
Grocery and convenience stores, taverns, bars and some restaurants may sell beer 3.2% alcohol by weight or under. This is “near beer.”
Most retailers may sell alcohol from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. But they may never sell alcohol after 1:00 a.m.
“Zion Curtains”
“Zion curtains” are solid translucent partitions to hide the preparation of drinks in restaurants. The intention was to “de-glamorize” alcohol and also not to offend Mormons. In 2017, the state modified the law requiring them. Now, by making certain physical and other modifications, not all restaurants need them.
It’s a violation of Utah alcohol laws to sell alcohol to anyone under age 21. Even if they are adults. The state distinguishes between two offenses.
One is if a seller doesn’t know the buyer’s age and fails to check the ID. The penalty for this is a fine of up to $1,000 and jail of up to six months.
Another is if the seller knows that the customer is under 21 but sells to them anyway. The penalty for this is a fine of up to $2,500 and jail for up to one year.
All alcohol sales clerks must complete state alcohol training focusing on identifying valid IDs. It also include how to deny sale to anyone under 21.
Penalties
If a clerk sells to an underage customer, the offender receives a written warning. And the clerk must retake the state alcohol training.
If a second offense occurs, the state prohibits the clerk from selling alcohol for 90 days. And the clerk must retake the alcohol training. A third offense prevents the clerk from selling alcohol for one year. Again, the clerk must retake the alcohol training. And the state may also require more training.
The penalties for the store are different. A first violation results in only a written warning. If a second occurs, there’s a $250 fine. A third violation results in a suspension of all alcohol for 30 days. There’s also a $500 fine and probation for one year. If another offense occurs during the probation, Utah revokes the license to sell beer.
Utah alcohol laws regulate the size of alcohol containers. They also prohibit the sale of kegs of beer.
B. Buying Alcohol
It’s illegal for anyone under 21 to buy, or attempt to buy, alcohol. Also it’s a crime to use a false ID to buy alcohol. Penalties include driver’s license suspension. It is also a crime to lend, transfer, or sell a false ID.
Retailers have the right to seize IDs that appear to be false. And they may detain anyone under 21 suspected of using a false ID to buy alcohol. Stores may sue such persons. If the customer is under 18, the store may sue the parent or guardian.
Thus the store can recover any losses it suffered as a result of the illegal sale. It may also recover lawyer’s fees and other expenses incurred in collecting the money.
C. Driving and Alcohol
States use blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to define legal limits for driving. Utah is the only state in the U.S. to impose 0.05% or higher as illegal. That is driving under the influence (DUI). For drivers under 21, DUI is 0.02% or higher.
It’s important to know that police can arrest drivers with legal BACs. All that’s necessary is this. If an officer to thinks the driver is impaired by alcohol. Utah calls this “less safe” DUI.
But many things can give drivers the appearance of intoxication. Probably the most common is diabetes. Also low-carb diets produce compounds that smell like alcohol. And fatigue often causes weaving and other behaviors that resemble intoxication. So a “DUI under the legal limit” can cause drivers many expensive legal expenses. Not to mention time and trouble.
These are the penalties for DUI by drivers age 21 or older.
First Offense
License suspension for 120 days with no hardship license available.- A fine of at least $700.
- Judge may order may order supervised probation.
Second Offense
- This offense creates a permanent criminal record.
- License suspension for two years with no hardship license.
- A fine of at least $800.
- Judge may impose any of these. Jail for at least 240 hours. Community service of at least 240 hours. Or home confinement with electronic monitoring. Of course, offenders must pay all costs of monitoring.
- Judge may order supervised probation.
- Possible order to have alcohol and screening, assessment, education, and/or treatment. And the offender must pay all costs of these mandated services.
Third Offense within Ten Years
- License suspension for two years with no hardship license available.
- Fines of at least $5,000.
Jail for at least 62.5 days.- Mandatory ignition interlock device (IID) on vehicle after reinstatement of license. Again, offender pays for installation, maintenance, and monitoring. An IID prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is on the driver’s breath.
- Judge may order supervised probation.
- Possible order to have alcohol and screening, assessment, education, and/or treatment. Of course, the offender must pay all costs of these mandated services.
These are the penalties for DUI by drivers under the age of 21.
First Offense
License suspension for 120 days or until age 21, whichever is longer.- Mandatory IID on vehicle for 18 months after reinstatement of license. Offender pays for installation, maintenance, and monitoring.
- Judge may prohibit driving with any measurable BAC for two years.
Second Offense
- License suspension for two years or until age 21, whichever is longer.
- Mandatory IID on vehicle for three years after reinstatement of license. Again, offender pays for installation, maintenance, and monitoring.
- Judge may prohibit driving with any measurable BAC for ten years.
Driver Rights
All drivers of any age have a U.S. Constitutional right to decline submitting to a chemical BAC test. But Utah punishes those who use their right. For drivers 21 or older, it’s license suspension for 18 months. A second use leads to a suspension for three years.
For drivers under 21 who use their right, the punishment is simple. It’s license suspension is for 18 months or until age 21, whichever is longer. Judge may order mandatory IID on vehicle for three years after reinstatement of license.
But there are no legal penalties for refusing to take a field sobriety test. They are highly unreliable.
Indeed, 30% of totally sober people fail to pass them under ideal indoor conditions. That is, about one of three people with zero BAC (0.00%) don’t pass.
For this reason, lawyers strongly urge drivers never, ever to take them. They say to very politely refuse. And to do so as often as needed. But this may take great willpower.
That is because police have many clever ways to convince drivers to submit. Often they falsely insist that the law requires it. False. In fact, no state requires it. Or that drivers can prove they’re innocent by passing the test. On the contrary, the burden is on the state. That is, it’s the state that has to prove that the driver is guilty. The driver needs to do nothing. To add insult to injury, police don’t consider passing the highly subjective to prove innocence!
Always keep in mind a very important fact. That is, that while investigating, police can legally lie. So don’t fall for it.!
Discover much more at Never Take a Field Sobriety Test Say DUI Lawyers.
D. Boating and Alcohol
Utah alcohol laws prohibit boating under the influence (BUI). This includes the operation of any motorized vessel while under the influence. It may be from alcohol, controlled substance, or both.
Boaters are under the influence if their BAC is 0.08% or higher. Or if alcohol and/or drugs make them unable to operate a boat safely. Of course, that is in the subjective opinion of the arresting officer. Boaters under 21 are BUI if they have any measurable alcohol in their bodies. But every human body makes alcohol 24/7. And they don’t wait until they’re 21! That’s why most states set the max at 0.02. See We Make Alcohol Naturally.
First BUI Offense
Jail for at least two days.- Fines and fees of over $1,300.
- Community service or home confinement.
- State generally suspends offender’s vehicle driving license.
- Judge may order supervised probation and an IID on the offender’s vehicle. Offender must pay all IID costs and fees.
- For a BAC of 0.16% or higher), the judge must impose both supervised probation and an IID. Of course, the offender pays all costs.
Second BUI Offense within Ten Years
- Jail for at least ten days.
- Fines and fees of over $1,500.
- Community service or home confinement.
- State generally suspends offender’s vehicle driving license.
- Mandatory IID on vehicle at offender’s expense. Again, the offender pays the costs.
Third BUI within Ten Years
- Jail for 63 days to five years.
- Fines and fees of over $1,800.
- Community service or home confinement.
- State generally suspends offender’s vehicle driving license.
- Mandatory IID on vehicle. At offender’s costs.
Judges must generally order all BUI offenders to undergo substance abuse screening. Then offenders must either complete treatment or a substance abuse education program. Of course, at the offender’s cost.
It’s illegal to drink alcohol while operating a boat, even with a legal BAC. Opened alcohol containers are legal on a boat, but not if within reach of the operator.
Use of the right to decline submitting to a chemical BAC test is admissible in court. It also may result in suspension of the vehicle driving license.
You might be interested in these.
III. Resources on Utah Alcohol Laws
IV. BAC Controversy
Utah is the only state in the U.S. with an illegal BAC of 0.05%. The state relies heavily on tourism to its many attractions. But now a major problem is in attracting highly profitable large conventions. That is because of its highly restrictive and confusing alcohol laws.
The 0.5% BAC has caused much controversy. For example, an ad in one Utah newspaper was in the form of a Thank You note. It was by the American Beverage Institute. The note said “Just wanted to thank you for passing the .05 BAC law. Arresting moderate social drinkers for having as little as one drink will certainly make us look more attractive to most tourists, businesses and skiers.” It ended with “Sincerely, Colorado.”
Here are some other examples of opposition to the lower BAC law.
V. Get Legal Advice about Alcohol Laws in Utah
Utah alcohol laws are very complex. Laws are also confusing in other states. Lawyers spend years learning them. Never rely on this site. Nor on any other site.
And beware of the advice and beliefs of family and friends. Or of neighbors, co-workers, or others. Smile, thank them. Then ignore what they say.
Get all alcohol information and advice about Utah alcohol laws from an expert. That is a lawyer holding a license licensed in the state.
At this point, you know much more by far about Utah alcohol laws. So kudos. Perhaps you know of items that should be included. If so, please contact hansondj [at sign] potsdam [dot] edu/. Thank you!