“When three out of four locations visited by law enforcement are in violation of ABC laws, that’s a sign that more work needs to be done to educate clerks and servers, and to protect the public from crimes connected to underage drinking.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SANTA CLARA – On May 30, 2025, two clerks were cited for selling alcohol to someone under the age of 21.  The citations were the result of a Minor Decoy operation in which minors, under the direct supervision of department agents, attempted to purchase alcohol from three retail licensees in the Santa Clara. In addition, law enforcement officers visited a fourth location that was too crowded to use a minor decoy, but police were able to identify four minors drinking alcohol. The minors and the owner of the business were cited.

“Performing these operations allows us to help prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors,” said Santa Clara Police Chief Cory Morgan.

Those who sold alcohol to a minor face a minimum fine of $250, and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, California ABC may take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

“Minor Decoy operations hold accountable those who sell alcohol to minors,” said ABC Chief Deputy Director Frank Robles. “Keeping alcohol away from youth is a priority.”

Statistics show that minors have a higher rate of drunk driving fatalities than the general adult population. About 25 percent of alcohol-related crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).