What is the penalty for a person over 21 loaning their ID to someone under 21 to purchase alcohol?

The penalty for a person over 21 who loans their ID to someone under 21 for the purpose of purchasing alcohol is classified as a misdemeanor. This classification aligns with the laws in many jurisdictions, where providing a false identity or enabling someone to circumvent age restrictions for alcohol consumption is considered a serious offense, but not as severe as a felony.

Misdemeanors typically carry lighter penalties than felonies, which can include fines, community service, or short-term imprisonment. The rationale behind this is to emphasize the importance of responsible behavior concerning the legal drinking age while recognizing that while the action is unlawful, it does not warrant the most severe penalties reserved for felonies.

When it comes to the context of this scenario, the individual who loans their ID is actively contributing to an illegal transaction that undermines public safety and the intent of legal age restrictions. This underscores the legal system's stance on preventing underage drinking and protecting minors from the negative effects associated with alcohol. This is why handing over an ID with the knowledge that it will be used to buy alcohol for a person who is not of legal age is treated seriously but still categorized within the realm of a misdemeanor.