Backyard parties for the under 21 set can lead you to jail
if you are not on top of what is going on.
28 of the 50 states have “social host” laws on the books and they are
being enforced. A few other states like
California have related laws that are circumscribed laws that only impose penalties
if someone is hurt.
In an article by
Jennifer Levitz on September 11, 2012, in the Wall Street Journal she talks of
several cases where these laws have gotten several people in serious trouble
hosting parties for their under age children.
WARWICK, R.I.—Backyard bonfires and pool parties are popular
pastimes for teenagers. But if alcohol enters the scene, the young revelers
aren't the only ones who can land in trouble.
Public officials who
have waged campaigns against underage drinkers are increasingly targeting the
adults who host them. In May, a Massachusetts mother went to jail for
permitting teenage drinking at home. The 18-year-old son of Rhode Island Gov.
Lincoln Chafee was recently in hot water over a party he held in May.
Terri Serra listens during her trial for allegedly violating
Rhode Island's 'social host' law.
And in Rhode Island, a
former school-board member and cheerleading coach is currently on trial for
allegedly allowing her daughter to host a post-homecoming gathering at which
teens drank beer. She has pleaded not guilty.
All are in the
spotlight under "social host" laws, which impose criminal or civil
penalties on hosts who permit underage drinking on their property, regardless
of who supplies the alcohol or whether anyone gets hurt. Some 28 states had
adopted such laws as of January, up from 18 in 2005, according to the National
Institutes of Health.
A handful of other
states, including California, have passed more circumscribed laws imposing
penalties on hosts if someone is harmed by underage drinking. And many cities
and counties—from Cobb County, Ga., to El Paso, Texas—are passing or debating
their own ordinances.
Read More at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443571904577631603480250074.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
It is a reason for parents even here in Florida
to take notice and be aware of what your children are doing even in your own
backyard. You could be spending
several months in jail even if no one is hurt as a result of the party. The article is a real “eye-opener” for
those with kids that have pool parties that you are responsible for the
supervision of.
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