Long Beach Alcohol Beverage Compliance Lawyer

Long Beach Alcohol Beverage Compliance Attorney

When preparing to open a business that handles alcohol, it is important to be prepared to meet all local and state guidelines. Minor oversights can result in hefty fines and long-lasting consequences for your bar or restaurant. A Long Beach alcohol beverage compliance lawyer can help you with each step of securing the legal permission for your establishment.

About Blake & Ayaz

Blake & Ayaz have a proven track record of representing people in Long Beach, Santa Ana, and throughout Southern California in their alcohol beverage compliance cases. Attorneys F. Michael Ayaz and Sean Refahiat have decades of experience helping clients in every stage of obtaining ABC licenses, maintaining compliance, and defending against ABC violation claims.

California Alcohol Beverage Compliance Laws

In California, the sale, manufacturing, service, and distribution of alcoholic beverages are regulated by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). In fiscal year 2023-2024, the ABC reported 16,685 active retail licenses and 1,132 manufacturers and wholesalers licenses in Los Angeles County.

Alcohol beverage compliance laws are detailed in Division 9 of California’s Business and Professions Code. Statutes cover who may serve alcohol, the types of licenses, prohibited acts for each type of establishment, and potential penalties. The district ABC office for Long Beach establishments is located in Lakewood at 3950 Paramount Boulevard, just north of Long Beach Airport.

Hire an Alcohol Beverage Compliance Lawyer

Legal guidelines for serving and making alcohol in California can be overwhelming for those with little to no legal background. Small mistakes on forms, missed deadlines, or applications for the wrong license can pose significant threats to your business. It is advised to hire an alcohol beverage compliance lawyer to help you with compliance.

Your Long Beach alcohol beverage compliance attorney can guide you through securing and protecting your ABC license. The following are a few alcoholic beverage compliance matters that Blake & Ayaz can help with:

Obtaining a License

The ABC regulates nearly 100 different licenses for various businesses and beverage types. The application process for obtaining proper authorization follows similar stages that, if mishandled, can result in an automatic denial or lengthy delays. The steps to obtaining an ABC license in California include:

• Identifying the license. Serving, creating, and manufacturing alcohol requires separate licenses. For example, a brewery cannot automatically create liquor or serve drinks to customers without petitioning the ABC.
• Establish eligibility. Once the right license is identified, the applicant must establish eligibility before petitioning the ABC. Requirements include being over the age of 21, having no related criminal conviction, obtaining zoning and land-use approvals, having no history of alcohol abuse, establishing clear financial sources, and having a seller’s permit.
• Formal application. Applications are submitted to the Long Beach district office. These must contain information on the license type, business ownership documentation, building lease, proof of business ownership, zoning approvals, and processing fees.
• Preliminary investigation. The ABC launches an investigation and background check for all applicants. Investigators review the owner’s eligibility, financial sources, and any community concerns.
• Public notice. While awaiting approval, business owners must post a public notice for 30 days that alerts the neighborhood to the business’s opening and allows any protests.
• ABC hearing. Cases where someone contests the license require administrative hearings overseen by an administrative law judge.
• Final review. If no party objects to the establishment or a decision has already been made, a final review is conducted to finalize the license at the division office.

Blake & Ayaz can help with every step of the proceedings. We can identify the license right for your business, draft and file paperwork, and represent you in conversations with the ABC and in protest hearings.

Labeling Compliance

Compliance with state and federal regulations does not end with license approvals. Any business that manufactures alcoholic beverages must receive approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The TTB has specific requirements for how a drink is labeled, such as the brand’s name, the manufacturer’s address, the drink’s type, alcohol content, and governmental health warning.

Alcoholic beverages cannot contain any misleading information on the labels that the drink is healthy or has additional benefits. False statements or incorrect facts can result in denials, recalls, and fines that put a heavy financial burden on a business. An experienced alcohol beverage compliance attorney can review all proposed labeling to highlight problem areas and correct errors.

ABC Violation Accusations

ABC violations are any criminal or civil offenses that violate the state’s guidelines. Penalties are based on the alleged incident’s severity and can involve fines, license suspension or revocation, and lasting reputational harm. Examples of Long Beach ABC violations include:

• Serving someone under the age of 21
• Failing to check IDs
• Providing alcohol between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m.
• Selling beverages not covered by an existing license
• Keeping a disorderly house that disturbs the peace
• Permitting illegal activity such as gambling, prostitution, or drug use
• Serving an obviously intoxicated person
• Operating with an expired or invalid license

Our team at Blake & Ayaz can defend you during ABC violation investigations. We can examine the case against you, highlight faulty or weak evidence, and conduct an independent review of the incident.

Hearings and Appeals

Administrative hearings for an initial license or defenses against allegations of wrongdoing can be stressful. Blake & Ayaz can represent you in all meetings before the ABC, TTB, or any other regulatory board. If the case results in an unfavorable outcome, our team can guide you through the appeal process and explore next steps.

Speak With a Long Beach Alcohol Beverage Compliance Attorney Today

Blake & Ayaz understand the countless issues that come with running a business in Long Beach. We can use our background handling hundreds of other cases to guide you through the alcohol beverage compliance process.

Reach out today to book your initial consultation. During this meeting, we can discuss the type of business you run, the issues you are facing with ABC compliance, and provide strategies for preventing or responding to ABC violation investigations.

Long Beach ABC Resources

• What Does It Mean to Be ABC-Certified?
• What Does RBS Mean in Alcohol?
• What Are Examples of Alcohol Control Policies?
• What Does the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Do?
• Can Any Person Obtain an Alcoholic Beverage License in California?