The Wrong Side of the Law
Despite all that has changed
about moonshining in the last 200 years, one thing remains the
same -- it is illegal. You might be wondering about homebrewed
beer and
amateur winemaking
-- these activities were made legal in the 1970s, but they can
only be done in small quantities (if you're supplying
half the bars in the city with your "homebrew," the government
is probably going to get suspicious). Homebrewing is a
different activity from distilling alcohol, and
distilling is definitely illegal in any amount. The reason
distilling at home is illegal is because it's too easy to make
a mistake and create a harmful product. Permits and
licenses are required so that the government can make sure the
alcohol being produced is safe. Plus, the Feds want to get
their tax money.
However, moonshiners are rarely arrested or charged with
making illegal liquor. The real charges come from tax
evasion. A new federal push to crack down on moonshiners
has also started using money laundering charges against
moonshiners and their suppliers. A money-laundering conviction
can lead to a prison term of 15 years, as opposed to five
years for moonshining. Many moonshiners have their property
seized by the government when they are caught, because tax
evasion and moonshining convictions also result in heavy
fines. The property is seized to make sure the fines can be
paid.
For more information on moonshine and related topics, check
out the links on the next page.
Here are some interesting links:
