Opened Container of Alcohol: Misdemeanor:

Punishment.

(a)It is unlawful for any person to transport or possess alcohol in a container in which the original cap or seal of the container has been opened, broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed when the vehicle is upon a public highway. Any person convicted of violating this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b)It is unlawful for the registered owner of a vehicle, when the registered owner is not then present in the vehicle, to knowingly permit another person to store in the registered owner’s motor vehicle alcohol in a container in which the original cap or seal of the container has been opened, broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed when the vehicle is upon a public highway. Any person convicted of violating this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c)Subsection

(a)does not prohibit the transport, possession or storage of alcoholic in which the original cap or seal of the container has been opened, broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed if the container is secured in a rear compartment or trunk of the vehicle not normally occupied by the driver or a passenger, or a rear compartment which is not immediately accessible to the driver or any other passenger, while the vehicle is upon a public highway. A front passenger glove or utility compartment is not acceptable for purposes of this exemption.

(d)This Section does not apply to living quarters of a motor home or camper, a bus, or a limousine; provided, that the driver is enclosed within a compartment not accessible to passengers, clients, or customers where alcohol is present while the vehicle is upon a public highway.