Case ID: ad2d_10/html/0987-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of Ross’s Dairies, Ltd., Petitioner, against Thomas E. Rohan et al., Constituting the State Liquor Authority, Respondents.
   Proceeding under article 78 of the Civil Practice Act to review a determination of the State Liquor Authority, dated December 11, 1959, suspending for 10 days petitioner’s retail off-premises beer license on the ground that the petitioner had violated subdivision 1 of section 65 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law by selling an alcoholic beverage to a minor actually under the age of 18 years. The proceeding lias been transferred to this court for disposition (Civ. Prac. Act, § 1296), by order of the Supreme Court, Kings County, dated February 5, 1960. Determination confirmed and proceeding dismissed, without costs. A sale of an alcoholic beverage to a minor who is actually under the age of 18 years constitutes a violation of the statute, regardless of the fact that the minor appeared to be over that age (Matter of Barnett v. O’Connell, 279 App. Div. 449). Nor is it a defense .that the minor represented herself to be, or presented purported proof of being, over that age (Matter of Ward v. O’Connell, 280 App. Div. 1021). Such a sale is an act malum prohibitum and is not to be excused by ignorance, mistake of fact or honorable intention (People v. Werner, 174 N. Y. 132; People v. Davin, 1 A D 2d 811). Beldoek, Acting P. J., Ughetta, Christ, Pette and Brennan, JJ., concur.