MEDIA ADVISORY

On February 19, 2025, the San José Police Department along with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) cited three clerks for selling alcohol to minors in the city of San José. The actions 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.

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, ABC may take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business. 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 Director Joseph McCullough. “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. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 25 percent of alcohol-related crashes involve underage drinking.

Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped to below 10 percent in some cities. In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of minor decoys is a valid tool of law enforcement to ensure that licensees are complying with the law.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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