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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Leif" data-source="post: 6054893" data-attributes="member: 48762">This is true, but it is also worth considering that oftentimes, when a state finds a statutory scheme that works for an area of law, then that state's statutes in that field of law are subject to being copied by other states.  To say nothing of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.  <a href="http://uniformlaws.org/" target="_blank">http://uniformlaws.org/</a>Admittedly, it is quite rare to find a statute that has been enacted precisely verbatim by a number of states.  However, if there is a general consensus among the states on how best to handle a given situation, which happens more often than you might think, then the differences between the laws of those states concerning that matter will probably be largely superficial.  It is also worth noting that the procedures and precedents concerning those laws can vary significantly from state to state.   I strongly suspect that this holds true in any common law jurisdiction, American, English, or what-have-you.Take legal drinking age for example:  in the vast majority of states it is legal to buy spiritous liquors at age 21.  However, by a judge's ruling, South Carolina appears to allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by those 18 to 20 years of age.  [Article 17, Section 14 of the state constitution conditionally gives those 18 and over the "full legal rights and responsibilities" of all other adults, with one exception -- the General Assembly can restrict the sale of alcohol.  But that section of the Constitution of S.C. does not specifically address consumption or possession, which leads to the conclusion that an 18-year-old can possess and consume alcoholic beverages, he/she just can't buy them.]  And, the State of Wisconsin allows the consumption of alcohol by minors in the presence of parents.  Otherwise, it now appears to be the law in practically every state that the legal drinking age is 21 years.It hasn't been all that long, though, since the patchwork of legal drinking age(s) across the United States was considerably more variegated.  If memory serves, which it may not, Florida and Louisiana both had drinking ages lower than 21.  Someone correct me if I am wrong.</blockquote>

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