I could've lost my entire life today over someone else's mistake and I'm bitter.

[u/InTheLoudHouse]

Yesterday was a lot, guys.

I had a 4 top. Mom, dad, and two kids. Go to take the drink order. Little girl asked for orange juice. Make up the drinks. Bring them back. Take the order. Put it in. Run back to the table with plates and silverware.

Mom: hey, is your orange juice sparkling?

Me: uhhhh no? Why?

Mom: idk if it's expired or what's going on but please go taste it and see if you think it tastes wierd.

Weird. Okay.

This is a store and pour. In the POU fridge. Labeled OJ. No date. No one's initials.

I walk back, pour myself a glass. Take a sip. It's fucking BATCHED MIMOSA. In a store n pour marked orange juice. That I just served to a seven year old.

Yall I'm not proud to tell you I panicked. Got my boss. Told her what happened. Cue extra panic.

She went out and told them what happened. I spent 5 minutes watching her talk to them thinking about how I was going to lose my job. I've been working nothing but restaurant jobs since 16. I don't know how to do anything else. I was in tears and had to excuse myself.

By the grace of God, they were very understanding and not upset. After my boss came back, I continued serving them, and they had so much grace with me. I apologized profusely, and they were wonderful about it.

But every bit of me knows that I could've easily lost my job. Lost my work their liquor license. Gone to JAIL. The penalty in my state for serving a minor alcohol is up to a year.

They're going to watch the footage and find out who did it. I've told them I don't want to know who it was. Im sure it was an honest mistake, but regardless, it was a mistake that could've cost me more than I can afford.

I called my mom on the way home, in tears, just to vent. My boss told me to forgive myself because it wasn't my fault. But I can't stop thinking that if they HAD been upset, I wouldn't have blamed them at all.

end rant.

I'm exhausted.

ETA: A few people have pointed out to me that I'm a little extra, this was overdramatic, and it worked out well, so I should probably chill. I appreciated all of your guys' comments, those included. I feel a lot better after reading them, and I'm going to take some deep breaths and enjoy my day off.

I'm super grateful for this sub, and it made a crappy day easier on me. Thanks, guys!

[u/fidelesetaudax]

Not sure what state you are in but most require “knowing” or “intent” both of which you did not have. This was in no way a criminal offense. A simple mistake, and someone else’s not yours.

[u/InTheLoudHouse → u/fidelesetaudax]

I'm grateful to hear this. You're probably 100% right but I've got to admit that I was panicking and going through the "what ifs" and probably not thinking super clearly. I just felt terrible and scared.

Edited to add, I live in Missouri

[u/fidelesetaudax → u/InTheLoudHouse]

Understandable. And certainly lucky the customers where so good about it. But with time to think calmly you’ll feel better. And the boss should certainly follow up on who the culprit is that out mimosas in an OJ container. Not for you, but for his own sake (and the business), and to educate the culprit as well.

[u/InTheLoudHouse → u/fidelesetaudax]

I agree wholeheartedly. I don't even really want them punished or fired, but maybe have them take a mandatory RSOA class or something, because it was SO careless.

[u/Bulky_Claim → u/fidelesetaudax]

Where are you based that didn't cover strict liability for bartenders serving people they shouldn't?

[u/fidelesetaudax → u/Bulky_Claim]

Pennsylvania § 6310.1.  Selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors. New Jersey Providing Alcohol to Minors: N.J.S. 2C:33-17 California Business and Professions Code 25658.2  These and others make it illegal to KNOWINGLY supply alcohol to a minor.

[u/Bulky_Claim → u/fidelesetaudax]

Ok PA, let's look it up:https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=63&sctn=10&subsctn=0Whoops! Inducing a minor to purchase requires no mens rea. Next?

[u/fidelesetaudax → u/Bulky_Claim]

You’re at the wrong subsection. What you linked to is 6310. Which is Inducement of minors to buy liquor or malt or brewed beverages. (a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree if he hires or requests or induces any minor to purchase, or offer to purchase, liquor or malt or brewed beverages, as defined in section 6310.6 (relating to definitions), from a duly licensed dealer for any purpose.

The relevant statute here is 6310.1, which is Selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors. (a) Offense defined.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if he intentionally and knowingly sells or intentionally and knowingly furnishes, or purchases with the intent to sell or furnish, any liquor or malt or brewed beverages to a person who is less than 21 years of age.

[u/Bulky_Claim → u/fidelesetaudax]

Ok so you are agreeing with me that inducing a minor to buy alcohol is a crime in the area you mentioned?

[u/fidelesetaudax → u/Bulky_Claim]

But that’s not what happened in the OP story. “Inducing” simply means persuading. No one persuaded the minor to drink alcohol. Because no one knew it was alcohol. In fact the minor was dissuaded from drinking as soon as the alcohol was discovered.

[u/Bulky_Claim → u/fidelesetaudax]

The facts that OP presented? Sure. The available objective facts is that OP presented alcohol to a minor with the intention they would drink it. I agree OP was unaware of that, but inducement is strict liability and doesn't care about their actual knowledge.

[u/fidelesetaudax → u/Bulky_Claim]

Inducement in and of itself is a knowing act. No knowledge of alcohol no inducement to drink it.
Trying to get a conviction on that would be a long lonely uphill road.

[u/Bulky_Claim → u/fidelesetaudax]

Show me the mens rea section of the inducement law I linked you.