Hosting a Super Bowl or St. Patrick’s party? What you need to know about the Social Host Liability Law.

Having just passed the turning of the New Year, we approach two of the most popular drinking days, Super Bowl Sunday and St. Patrick’s Day. Not only are these two days ranked high in consumption of alcohol, but much of the drinking generally occurs at peoples houses. What many people are unaware of though is the Social Host Liability Law.

The Social Host Liability Law is generally a subset of the Dram Shop Law, which sets out the responsibilities and liabilities for bars, restaurants, and clubs that serve alcohol. The Social Host Liability Law holds the host of a party criminally and civilly responsible for knowingly and unknowingly serving alcohol to minors. It also holds hosts responsible for injuries caused to third parties by their guests. 

What does this mean if you are planning a Super Bowl party or St. Pat’s party at your house?  It means you should be aware of who is drinking in your house and how much they are consuming.  As a Gainesville DUI attorney, I also urge you to provide plenty of water and food for your guests.   It is important for your guest’s sake, the safety of other people on the road, and your own financial liability, to take away anyone’s keys if you feel they have had enough to drink and to stop serving them alcohol right away.

Whether you are cheering for the Patriots or the Giants, or toasting St. Patty with some green beer at your house with friends, please remember, the party could end up costing you a lot more than you planned on if you let your guests drink and drive.

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I only had one drink, how could that put me over the limit?