Don't be a party to teenage drinking

Keep our Kids Safe Throughout the Holidays & Everyday!
 
  • If your child is going out – call the parents of the home your child is going to. Find out if they will be home and supervising and most importantly if there will be alcohol.
  • Not all parents share the same values as you when it comes to underage drinking. Don’t allow them to make the decision that it’s okay for your child to drink – that’s for you only!
  •  If you know of an unsupervised holiday party or are aware of stores that are selling alcohol to underage kids, contact your local police department.

What is a parent’s liability for hosting a teenage party where alcohol is present?

CRIMINAL: In Putnam County, if a parent hosting a party allows a teen to bring alcohol into their home or provides alcohol to a teen, that parent has committed the crime of unlawfully dealing with a child, a class A misdemeanor. If convicted, the sentence ranges from one year in county jail to a three-year probationary sentence, fines and/or conditional release.

That parent can also be charged with the Social Host Law, which is has been enacted in every town and village in the County. This law only requires that the parent know of the party and that teens are drinking alcohol. This, too, is a class A misdemeanor and can result in a fine plus response recovery costs (a parent is liable for the expense of the response by a public agency or agencies to the incident; which can run into thousands of dollars)

 CIVIL: A criminal conviction can place restrictions on your freedom and give you a permanent record. But the consequences of your actions do not end there. Your civil liability of hosting an underage drinking party can be costly. Under civil law, you can be held liable for any damage caused by a teen who has become intoxicated at the party you are hosting, if you know alcohol is being served, or if you provide alcohol at the party. If an individual dies as a result of an intoxicated minor, you could face a wrongful death cause of action. SIMPLY PUT, YOU COULD LOSE EVERYTHING!

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Submitted by Brewster, NY

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