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5 Things That You Need to Know About Social Host Liability in Connecticut

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Hosting a party can be great fun. But, if your teenager or your friend’s teenagers attend the party, you need to be careful about alcohol. While you might not be worried about this issue, it can have severe consequences. Social host liability is a real thing nowadays, and you need to make sure that you are not held responsible for serving alcohol to minors. You can learn more about this issue here.

Five Things to Watch Out For

When you host an event, be aware that if you serve alcohol, you have some legal responsibilities regarding your teenage party guests:

  1. You can never, ever, let anyone underage (under 21 years old) possess or drink any alcohol. You simply can’t let it happen at your event. It’s against the law. You could be held criminally responsible. Minors can’t possess alcohol at all. Don’t let them.
  2. You have to watch them like a hawk. Your teenage guests will try to drink your alcohol, or they may sneak their own alcohol into your party. You can’t turn a blind eye. If you suspect that teenagers are drinking at your party, you have to stop the drinking immediately. If you fail to act when you should have, you will be arrested, and you will face embarrassing and costly criminal charges.
  3. You are legally responsible for anyone who gets drunk at your party and drives away. This means if they get into an accident and hurt themselves, or hurt another person, or damage another person’s property, you are responsible for their actions. Don’t let your party guests drive when they are intoxicated. You could be sued for money damages.
  4. You can be held at fault if your teenager throws an alcohol party even if you aren’t home. Under the law, if you knew about the event, or should have known about the event, you are considered responsible for everything that happens. You have to be mindful and persistent in monitoring your teenagers.
  5. Any minors caught in possession of alcohol (for example, holding an open beer bottle in their hands) or intoxicated not only face penalties in criminal court, but they also face administrative suspension of their driver’s license and loss of their driving privileges.

Getting Help

If you have a question about liability for hosting a party, please contact me for legal advice. I am always here to help!