Location: Michigan
A friend of mine worked part-time at a bar/restaurant. About a month ago, police came in and cited all employees for serving alcohol while the establishment’s liquor license was expired.
Several of her coworkers identified my friend as the “lead” employee on duty that night because she was responsible for closing at the end of the shift. She only works one night a week at this bar and she does not have any official management title.
The owner dipped out when police arrived (they are currently on probation for an unrelated matter). My friend is now facing criminal charges for illegal operations by serving alcohol without a valid license.
She had no knowledge that the liquor license was expired/invalid at the time.
Can she still be held criminally liable in this situation? What kind of legal options or defenses might be available to her?