As reported by Tracy Breton in the January 14, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, a decision has been issued by the District Court in a Richmond Social Host violation case. A former school committee member had been charged with violating social host laws by allowing underage teenagers to consume alcohol on her property. Following the party, a group of teenagers drove and were involved in an accident and were seriously injured.
The Judge found the woman guilty of violating the Social Host laws after a trial. She was sentenced to six (6) months suspended sentence with six (6) months of probation. She will have to pay a $1,000.00 fine and complete one hundred (100) hours of community service. Some of the community service must include talking about the dangers of alcohol and drunk driving to teenagers and/or their parents.
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 3-8-11.1, furnishing or procuring alcohol to minors is defined as: (1) "furnish" means to provide with, supply, give or purchase; (2) "procure" means to get possession of, obtain by particular care and effort; and (3) "permit" means to give permission for, or approval of, the possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage by any form of conduct, that would cause a reasonable person to believe that permission or approval has been given. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section it is unlawful for any person twenty-one (21) years of age or older:
(1) to purchase from any licensee or any employee of a licensee any alcoholic beverage for the sale, delivery, service of or giving away to, any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday;
(2) to purchase from any licensee or any employee of any licensee any alcoholic beverage with the intent to cause or permit said alcoholic beverage to be sold, or given to any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday;
(3) to knowingly furnish any alcoholic beverage for the sale, delivery, service of or giving to any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday;
(4) to procure alcoholic beverages for the sale, delivery, service of or giving to any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday; or
(5) to otherwise permit the consumption of alcohol by underaged persons in his or her residence or on his or her real property.
The penalties that could have been imposed include a fine of not less than three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and/or imprisoned for a period not exceeding six (6) months, or both.
If you or a family member has been charged with providing alcohol to minors, underage possession of alcohol or other social host violations, please allow Attorney Robert H. Humphrey's reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Please contact Attorney Robert H. Humphrey, Esq., at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.