Spouse and Alcohol Laws

[ACJarboe]

I live in the state of Washington.

I am a 21 year old man married to a 20 year old woman. As I understand it, I am allowed to purchase alcohol for and serve alcohol to my wife legally. First, is this correct?

Most importantly, I heard somewhere that as my wife, she would be allowed to accompany me into bars where people under 21 are typically not allowed. I've done searches for this information and I can't seem to find any thing specific enough. Someone help! Thanks so much!

edit: Here are some links that might help you:
[URL=http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?fuseaction=section&section=66.44.290]Reference 1[/URL]
[URL=http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?fuseaction=section&section=46.61.503]Reference 2[/URL]
[URL=http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?fuseaction=section&section=46.61.502]Reference 3[/URL]

[CdwJava]

Originally Posted by ACJarboe

I live in the state of Washington.

I am a 21 year old man married to a 20 year old woman. As I understand it, I am allowed to purchase alcohol for and serve alcohol to my wife legally. First, is this correct?

Most importantly, I heard somewhere that as my wife, she would be allowed to accompany me into bars where people under 21 are typically not allowed. I've done searches for this information and I can't seem to find any thing specific enough. Someone help! Thanks so much!

edit: Here are some links that might help you:
[URL=http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?fuseaction=section&section=66.44.290]Reference 1[/URL]
[URL=http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?fuseaction=section&section=46.61.503]Reference 2[/URL]
[URL=http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?fuseaction=section&section=46.61.502]Reference 3[/URL]

The links you cite do not seem to have any reference to bringing your wife into a bar.

I would be relatively certain that unless WA state allows bars (as opposed to a restaurant or dining establishment that serves alcohol) to permit people under 21 inside, that she would NOT be permitted to go into the bar with you.

I also presume that should she consume alcohol inside your home, there is likely no crime.

In my state she would not generally be permitted inside a bar, and she would certainly not be served. She WOULD generally be allowed to consume alcohol in her own home.

You mgiht consider contacting your local District Attorney's office and running the question by them. Unless you can find an exemption in WA law that SPECIFICALLY permits her to go into a bar, I wouldn't try it. And if she is under 21 and has ANY alcohol in her system while driving, she could find herself in a heap o' trouble.

EDIT:

[URL=http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?section=66.44.270&fuseaction=section]THIS section [/URL] would seem to indicate that even the use of alcohol by her in your home would be unlawful ... it mentions parents or guardians of someone under age consuming alcohol, but no exception for someone 18 or over and under 21.

- Carl