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ToggleWhen you run a business, such as an entertainment company, you may want to offer alcohol to your patrons. Before you can start doing this, you have to comply with Arizona’s liquor laws. If you fail to meet these requirements, you may find yourself facing alcohol charges.
The Arizona Department of Liquor says that you need a license before you can distribute alcohol. If you sell alcohol beverages without one, you are in violation of the law. When you have connections with a brewery or distillery, you may want to purchase alcohol from these sources while waiting for your license. However, these sellers cannot provide you with liquor if they know that you do not have your license yet.
Getting a license
Once you apply for a license, you do not receive it immediately. According to the Arizona Department of Liquor, it may take between 65 and 100 days for a representative to review and approve your liquor license application. The department usually reviews your background to make sure you are eligible. A representative may deny your application if you received a felony conviction within the past five years.
Serving alcohol
Not all of your employees may be able to serve drinks to your patrons. Staff members have to be at least 18 to sell alcohol but you may sometimes have staff who are minors. Although these employees can legally work in an establishment that sells alcohol, they cannot serve it to patrons. When you train teenage workers, you may need to emphasize that they cannot handle liquor. If they do, you risk violating the law.
Representatives from the department may occasionally stop by your business to make sure you are complying with the law. If they see violations, they could write a citation. If your business receives too many citations, the department may revoke your liquor license. Serious infractions could result in alcohol charges.
Author Bio
Matthew L. Lopez
Matthew L. Lopez is the Managing Attorney and founder of Matthew Lopez Law, a criminal defense and DUI firm serving clients throughout Arizona. His track record of case dismissals and charge reductions has earned him honors, including a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 nomination, a “Superb” 10/10 Avvo rating, and a Rising Star designation by Super Lawyers.
Matthew is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and holds active memberships with the Arizona Association for Criminal Justice and the Arizona Association for Justice. His firm handles criminal defense, DUI, drug charges, and traffic offenses, offering free consultations and affordable payment plans to make quality defense accessible to all Arizonans.
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Practice areas
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Tempe
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Lake Havasu City
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Apache Junction
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Parker