Minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service for person cited

“If individuals would consider public safety, and consider the minimum $1,000 fine, before considering the purchase alcohol for someone under 21, I’m sure it would be a no-brainer to just politely say no.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SAN JOSE – On August 19, 2026, the San José Police Department, along with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), conducted a shoulder tap operation at four retail licensees in the city of San José to target the sale of alcohol to minors. As a result of this operation, one individual was arrested and cited for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

This type of operation targets adults who purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21. A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The minor also indicates they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

“Underage drinking harms our community, “stated SJPD Chief of Police Paul Joseph. “Preventing the sale of alcohol to minors will help to increase public safety and make our roads safer.”

If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, they can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

“ABC conducts these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “We can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs by preventing underage drinking.”