Santa Clara, Calif. - The Santa Clara Police Department Community Response Team cited a retail clerk and an adult patron for furnishing alcohol to a minor on April 16, 2026.

During a Minor Decoy operation, a decoy attempted to purchase alcohol and was properly refused by the clerk after presenting identification. However, an adult patron standing behind the decoy offered to purchase the alcoholic beverages on the minor’s behalf. The clerk then completed the sale to the adult, who subsequently furnished the alcohol to the minor.

The enforcement action was part of a Minor Decoy operation in which minors, under the direct supervision of law enforcement personnel, attempted to purchase alcohol from 10 retail licensees in Santa Clara.

Clerks who sell alcohol to a minor face a minimum fine of $250 and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) may take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business, including a fine, suspension, or permanent revocation.

Adults who purchase alcohol for a person under 21 may be cited or arrested for violating California Business and Professions Code § 25658(a). Penalties include a minimum $1,000 fine and at least 24 hours of community service.

“Providing alcohol to minors, whether directly or through a third party, is illegal and will be enforced. These operations are about accountability and protecting the safety of our community,” said Chief of Police Cory Morgan.

“Licensees should always check identification before selling alcohol,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “Our roadways and communities see improved safety when we prevent access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol.”

Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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 legal tool of law enforcement to make sure that licensees are complying with the law.  

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from ABC through the department’s Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program.