§ 33:1-77 — Defenses of sellers

33:1-77. Anyone who sells any alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal age for purchasing alcoholic beverages is a disorderly person; provided, however, that the establishment of all of the following facts by a person making any such sale shall constitute a defense to any prosecution therefor: (a) that the purchaser falsely represented in writing, or by producing a driver's license bearing a photograph of the licensee, or by producing a photographic identification card issued pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1980, c. 47 (C.39:3-29.3), or a similar card issued pursuant to the laws of this State, another state or the federal government that he or she was of legal age to make the purchase, (b) that the appearance of the purchaser was such that an ordinary prudent person would believe him or her to be of legal age to make the purchase, and (c) that the sale was made in good faith relying upon such written representation, or production of a driver's license bearing a photograph of the licensee, or production of a photographic identification card issued pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1980, c. 47 (C.39:3-29.3), or a similar card issued pursuant to the laws of this State, another state or the federal government and appearance and in the reasonable belief that the purchaser was actually of legal age to make the purchase. Amended 1939, c.228; 1971, c.54; 1982, c.61, s.1; 1983, c.565, s.2; 1985, c.503, s.1; 2003, c.175, s.3.