Offenses concerning certain persons [Effective until Aug. 15, 2030].
Del. Code tit. 4, § 904
in effect(a) (1) Whoever sells any alcoholic liquor to any person who has not reached the age of 21 years, or sells to any person of more than such age any alcoholic liquor knowing that such alcoholic liquor is bought for a person who is less than 21 years of age and is to be drunk by the latter, shall, in addition to the payment of costs, be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500 and, on failure to pay such fine and costs, shall be imprisoned for 30 days.
(2) In any prosecution for an offense under this subsection, it shall be an affirmative defense that the individual, who has not reached the age of 21 years, presented to the accused identification, with a photograph of such individual affixed thereon, which identification sets forth information which would lead a reasonable person to believe such individual was 21 years of age or older.
(b) Any person under the age of 21 years who knowingly makes false statement to any person engaged in the sale of alcoholic liquor for the purpose of obtaining the same and to the effect that the person is 21 years of age or older, shall, in addition to the payment of costs, be fined for the first offense, not less than $100 nor more than $500, and on failure to pay such fine and costs, shall be imprisoned for 30 days, and for each subsequent like offense, shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, and on failure to pay such fine and costs shall be imprisoned for 60 days.
(c) Whoever purchases, buys or gives alcoholic liquor for or to a person under the age of 21 years or knowingly allows a person under such purchaser’s, buyer’s or provider’s supervision and under the age of 21 years to consume alcoholic liquor shall, in addition to the payment of costs, be fined for the first offense, not less than $100 nor more than $500, and may be ordered by the court to perform community service for a period of 40 hours in such form and on such terms as the court shall deem appropriate under the circumstances and may be imprisoned for not more than 30 days; and for each subsequent like offense, shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 and may be ordered by the court to perform community service for a period of 80 hours in such form and on such terms as the court shall deem appropriate under the circumstances and may be imprisoned for not more than 60 days. This subsection shall not apply to religious services or members of the same family within the private home of any of said members.
(d) Except as provided in subsections (h) and (n) of this section, whoever, being the holder of a license to operate a tavern or taproom, admits or permits to remain in such tavern or taproom any individual under the age of 21 years, shall be fined not more than $100.
(e) Except as provided in subsections (h) and (n) of this section, whoever, being under the age of 21 years, enters or remains in a tavern, taproom or package store, or while therein possesses at any time alcoholic liquors, shall be fined $50.
(f) (1) Whoever, being under the age of 21 years, has alcoholic liquor in such under-aged person’s possession at any time, or consumes or is found to have consumed alcoholic liquor, shall be fined $100 for the first violation and not less than $200 nor more than $500 for each subsequent violation.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (f)(1) of this section, whoever commits a violation of this subsection must be assessed a civil penalty for a first violation or a second violation. Information concerning this civil offense may not appear on an individual’s certified criminal record.
(3) Whoever commits a third or subsequent violation of this subsection is guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor.
(4) This section does not apply to the possession or consumption of alcoholic liquor in connection with any religious service or by members of the same family within the private home of any of said members.
(5) A peace officer having reasonable grounds to believe that a juvenile has committed an offense under this subsection may issue the juvenile a civil citation in lieu of a civil penalty.
(g) Nothing in this section shall prevent the employment of a person, 14 years of age or older, in clubs with authorized dining facilities, hotels, racetracks and restaurants licensed under this title, provided that:
(1) A person may not be involved in the sale, service, or preparation of alcoholic liquor unless the person is 18 years of age or older.
(2) A person who is 18, 19, or 20 years old may be involved in the sale and service of alcoholic liquor but may not be involved in the preparation of alcoholic liquor unless directly supervised by a person who is 21 years of age or older and who is working behind the bar with the 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old.
(h) Nothing in this section prevents any of the following:
(1) The employment of a person 18 years of age or older to prepare, sell, or serve alcoholic liquor to patrons of establishments licensed under this title for the on-premises sale and consumption of alcoholic liquor, provided that a person who is 18, 19, or 20 years old and is involved in the preparation of alcoholic liquor is directly supervised by a person who is 21 years of age or older and who is working behind the bar with the 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old.
(2) The employment of a person 18 years or older to work in any capacity in a tavern or taproom. A person 18 years or older may prepare, sell, or serve alcoholic liquor for patrons of a tavern or taproom, provided that a person who is 18, 19, or 20 years old and is involved in the preparation of alcoholic liquor is directly supervised by a person who is 21 years of age or older and who is working behind the bar with the 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old.
(3) A person 18 years of age or older to enter a tavern or taproom to pick up a food order for delivery through a third-party delivery service.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (h)(1), (2), and (3) of this section, a person under age 21 may not enter into or work in any capacity in a tavern or taproom that offers sexually-oriented entertainment. This includes all of the following:
(a) A tavern or taproom that is also licensed as an adult entertainment establishment under Chapter 16 of Title 24.
(b) A tavern or taproom that offers “sexually explicit performances,” as defined in § 787 of Title 11.
(c) A tavern or taproom that is advertised as a “strip club,” “adult entertainment club,” “gentlemen’s club,” or that offers performances or services of a sexually-oriented nature.
(i) Nothing in this section shall prevent the employment of a person, 16 years of age or older, in a catering business serving liquors, provided that:
(1) A person may not be involved in the sale, service, or preparation of alcoholic liquor unless the person is 18 years of age or older.
(2) A person who is 18, 19, or 20 years old may not be involved in the preparation of alcoholic liquor unless directly supervised by a person who is 21 years of age or older and who is working behind the bar with the 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old.
(j) Nothing in this section shall prevent the employment of a person, 16 years of age or older, in a bowling alley licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, provided that:
(1) A person may not be involved in the sale, service, or preparation of alcoholic liquor unless the person is 18 years of age or older.
(2) A person who is 18, 19, or 20 years old may not be involved in the preparation of alcoholic liquor unless directly supervised by a person who is 21 years of age or older and who is working behind the bar with the 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old.
(k) Justices of the peace shall have original jurisdiction to hear, try, and finally determine alleged violations of this section.
( l ) Nothing in this section shall prevent a licensed importer from employing a person who is 18, 19 or 20 years of age to:
(1) Work in an office, warehouse or other facility used by the importer in the operation of its business;
(2) Make or assist in deliveries of alcoholic liquors to licensed establishments in this State;
(3) Transport or assist in the transporting of alcoholic liquors to or from the importer’s warehouse.
Such person may enter any licensed establishment in this State for the purpose of making or assisting the delivery of alcoholic liquors thereto or for any purpose related to such delivery.
No such person shall be employed by a licensed importer as a salesperson or sales representative.
(m) Nothing in this section prevents the employment in a package store of a person who has reached the age of 18 years, under conditions the Commission may by rule prescribe, but the minor may not sell or serve alcoholic liquors.
(n) Nothing in this section shall prohibit or prevent persons under the age of 21 years from entering or remaining in a premises licensed as a tavern or taproom for the purpose of a social event, including, but not limited to, events exclusively for persons under the age of 21 years, provided that the premises licensed as a taproom or tavern is closed for business (including any Sunday); and provided further, that during any such social event, no alcoholic liquor shall be sold, furnished or given to any person at any time before, during or after the social event. All alcoholic liquor must be either removed from the licensed premises or placed under lock and key at all times during the social event and any time before or after the social event when persons under the age of 21 years are present on the licensed premises.
(o) Any person who was convicted of a first offense under subsections (e) and (f) of this section or the same offense under any county or municipal code, ordinance, or regulation and who was under the age of 21 at the time of the offense may, upon reaching the age of 21, apply for an expungement of the record of the conviction and any indicia of arrest to the court in which the person was convicted. For violations of subsection (e) or (f) of this section, an order granting such expungement shall issue upon proof that the person has reached the age of 21, unless the person has failed to comply with the sentencing order or the person has another charge under this section, or under the same offense under any county or municipal code, ordinance, or regulation, which remains outstanding. Upon issuance of the order of expungement, the records of the conviction and any indicia of arrest shall be dealt with in accordance with the procedures specified in subchapter VII of Chapter 43 of Title 11. Nothing in this section prohibits the Family Court from expunging a record of conviction as otherwise provided by law. The application for or granting of a pardon under §§ 4361 through 4364 of Title 11 does not prohibit an expungement under this section. All sentencing orders for violations of this section by persons under the age of 21 at the time of the offense shall state that the record of the conviction may be expunged upon reaching the age of 21 and thereafter. The civil filing fee shall apply to applications for expungement plus a $100 fee payable to the State Bureau of Identification for administrative costs.
(p) Whoever fails to request identification for age verification, pursuant to § 527(c)(2) of this title shall, in addition to the payment of costs, be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500 for the first offense. Failure to pay such fines and costs may result in imprisonment for no more than 10 days.
(q) Notwithstanding the age-related provisions of subsections (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this section, a person who is under 19 years old may not be involved in the preparation of alcoholic liquor while the person is enrolled in a secondary school program.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title4/c009/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title4/c009/index.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026