Underage Drinking - "Parents who host lose the most"

If your child permits underage drinking, he/she may be arrested on same charge.

If illegal substances are found on your premises, you or your child may be charged. Use of any illegal substance in your home may subject you to arrest.

If there is unreasonable noise or disorderly conduct in your home, you may be charged with being a Criminal Nuisance. There is also a Village Ordinance that addresses unreasonable noise.

• Someone is injured on your property.
• If they are injured off your property after obtaining an intoxicating substances on your property.
• If your neighbors property is damaged by those attending a party at your home.
• If someone is involved in a motor vehicle accident, injury, or property damage and obtained any illegal or dangerous substance at your home.
• If there is a fight on your property and someone is injured
• If a person becomes sick from any substance they obtain on your property.

WHAT CAN PARENTS OR GUARDIANS DO?

Your children are your responsibility.  We are responsible for acts that take place in our homes.  To avoid the possible arrest of our children or ourselves, we must maintain control.

THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO:

• No alcoholic beverages dispensed to underage minors!
• No illegal substances allowed in our homes.
• Absolutely no unsupervised parties.
• Know where your children are and with whom.
• Call parents of any homes in which a party is to be held. Receive their assurance that no alcoholic beverage or illegal substance will be dispensed. Check out party yourself to see that adult supervision is in fact in place and that the adult is acting responsibly.

CRIMINAL LIABILITY

New York Penal Law

In addition to civil liability which may be imposed on an adult who serves or causes a minor to be served intoxicating liquors, that adult also faces criminal charges under New York Penal Law section 260.20(4).

Section 260.20 provides:

No. 260.20 Unlawfully dealing with a child

A person is guilty of unlawfully dealing with a child when:

4. He gives or sells or causes to be given or sold any alcoholic beverages, as defined by section 3 of the alcohol beverage control law, to a person less than twenty-one years old; except that this subdivision does not apply to the prent of guardian of such a person.

Unlawfully dealing with a child is a Class B misdemeanor. Class B misdemeanors carry a possible penalty of up to 90 days in prison and/or a fine of up to $500.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Law

1. Alcoholic Beverage Control Law 65-b(1)(c)

A court may impose a One Hundred ($100.00) dollar fine and/or community service and or require the completion of an alcohol awareness program on any person who attempts to obtain alcohol with fraudulent proff of age.

2. Alcoholic Beverage Control Law 65-b(3)

A court may suspend a person's drivers license for ninety (90) days if the license is altered to attempt to purchase alcohol.

3. Alcoholic Beverage Control Law 65-c