401.816.5862

Social Host Laws

Recent Posts in Social Host Laws Category

  • Jamestown Social Host Case

    As reported by Patrick Anderson in the July 28, 2015 edition of the Providence Journal, two parents have entered pleas in connection with a Jamestown social host case. In June, Jamestown police were called to a house party. While there, they found underage drinking. The couple who owned the house and were parents of one of the teenagers, were charged under Rhode Island’s Social Host laws for ...
    Continue Reading

  • Rhode Island Underage Alcohol Offenses

    The drinking age in Rhode Island and throughout the United States is twenty-one (21) years old. Each year, teenagers and young adults in Rhode Island are charged with underage alcohol offenses. These offenses are all age specific, meaning that they are only crimes because of the age of the parties. The four (4) common underage alcohol offenses are as follows: 1. Possession of beverage by underage ...
    Continue Reading

  • Barrington Teenagers Arrested for Underage Drinking Party

    As reported by John Hill in the August 22, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, thirteen (13) teenagers from Barrington have been arrested for trespassing. The teenagers are accused of trespassing at a home, when the residents were on vacation, to have an underage drinking party. There was alcohol missing from the home and the home was left in disarray. The teenagers range in age from fourteen ...
    Continue Reading

  • Barrington Social Host Violation

    As reported by Maria Armental in the August 6, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, a Barrington man has been arrested and charged with providing alcohol to minors . The man is alleged to have allowed his son and other underage teenagers to have a party at his home where he provided alcohol. The police confiscated bottles of vodka, champagne and beer. Police responded to the home due to a noise ...
    Continue Reading

  • Narragansett Alcohol Offense Dismissed

    In April of 2013, our client was arrested by the Narragansett Police Department and charged with misrepresentation of age (use of a fake ID). Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 3-8-6, use of a fake ID is defined as, it is unlawful for: (1) A person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday to enter any premises licensed for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for the ...
    Continue Reading

  • Bristol Underage Alcohol Offenses Dismissed

    In March of 2013, our clients were arrested by the Bristol Police Department and both were charged with transportation of alcohol by a minor . Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 3-8-9, transportation of alcohol by a minor is defined as any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday and who operates a motor vehicle upon the public highways while having liquor or ...
    Continue Reading

  • Providence Use of Fake ID Charge Dismissed & Expunged

    In March of 2013, our client was arrested by the Providence Police Department and charged with misstatement of age (use of a fake ID). Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 3-8-6, use of a fake ID is defined as it is unlawful for: (1) A person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday to enter any premises licensed for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for the purpose of ...
    Continue Reading

  • Richmond Social Host Conviction Appeal

    As reported in the April 3, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, a Richmond woman who was convicted of a social host violation has appealed her conviction to the Superior Court. In January of 2013, the woman was found guilty of furnishing/providing alcohol to minors. She was sentenced to six (6) months suspended sentence, six (6) months probation, a fine and one hundred (100) hours of community ...
    Continue Reading

  • Richmond Social Host Violation Decision

    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 ...
    Continue Reading

  • Narragansett Transportation of Alcohol Charge Dismissed

    In May of 2012, our Client was charged by the Narragansett Police Department with transportation of alcohol by a minor . Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 3-8-9, transportation of alcohol by a minor is defined as, "any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday and who operates a motor vehicle upon the public highways, except when accompanied by a parent, legal ...
    Continue Reading

  • Rhode Island State Police Investigate Chafee Alcohol Party

    As reported by Amanda Milkovits in the July 17, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, the Department of Attorney General has asked the Rhode Island State Police to continue its investigation of an alleged underage drinking party at the Chafee residence. The Governor's son alleged held the party over Memorial Day weekend. Currently no charges have been filed in connection with this case. A ...
    Continue Reading

  • Governor's Son Hosts Underage Party

    As reported in the June 20, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, Governor Chafee's son alleged host a party last month in Exeter involving underage drinking . A teenager, who was later treated at a hospital for alcohol poisoning, stated that she was drinking at a party hosted by the Governor's teenage son. The case is currently under investigation. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws ...
    Continue Reading

  • Jamestown Alcohol Offense Arrest

    As reported by Thomas Morgan in the April 10, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, Jamestown Police cited the Governor's son for unlawfully trying to purchase alcohol . The teenager attempted to purchase alcohol at a liquor store in Jamestown. He will be arraigned in court later this month. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 3-8-6, (a) It is unlawful for: (1) A person who has not reached his ...
    Continue Reading

  • Charlestown Reckless Driving Arrest

    As reported by Maria Armental in the November 22, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, a Charlestown teenager has been charged with reckless driving . The teenager was coming from a party. Although he has not been charged with drunk driving , it appears that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. The mother of the teenager who hosted the party has been charged with providing alcohol to ...
    Continue Reading

  • Richmond Social Host Arrest

    As reported by Tatiana Pina in the October 27, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, a Richmond woman has been arrested and charged with social host violations . The woman was arrested and charged with furnishing or procuring alcohol for minors . Over the weekend, a group of about fourteen (14) teenagers were at the woman's home and alcohol was consumed. Apparently when the woman broke up the ...
    Continue Reading

  • Charlestown Alcohol-Related Accident

    As reported in the October 24, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, four (4) teenagers were injured in a car accident in the Town of Charlestown. All four (4) teenagers were transported to the hospital and two (2) were critically injured. The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning. Investigation by the police has revealed the teenagers were at a gathering following a school ...
    Continue Reading

  • Providence Underage Drinking Party

    As reported by Richard Salit in the June 12, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, an underage drinking party was held at the Providence Chief of Police's house. The party was broken up and the minors were sent home. Although there were no arrests made, the teenagers could have been charged with underage possession of alcohol pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 3-8-10. The penalties include a ...
    Continue Reading

  • Narragansett Party House Stickers Constitutional

    As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the January 6, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, the 1 st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Town of Narragansett's sticker policy is constitutional. In response to complaints by residents, the Town of Narragansett passed an ordinance allowing for police to place stickers on so called "party houses" that are considered to be a nuisance. The ...
    Continue Reading

  • Middletown Social Host Offense Dismissed

    In June of 2010, our Client was charged with a violation of the Town of Middletown Ordinance entitled "Possession, Consumption by Minors Prohibited." Specifically, Section 130.01(B)(1) describes social host offenses and states, "it shall be unlawful for any person who owns or exercises control over private real property, to allow another person under the age of twenty-one (21) years of age who is ...
    Continue Reading

  • Sexting and Child Pornography

    As reported in the March 2, 2010, Providence Journal by staff writer, Talia Buford, legislation proposed by the Department of Attorney General would decrease the penalty for minors who are caught sexting so they would not be prosecuted under the child pornography statute. "The proposed legislation would create a lesser offense, and allow for counseling and intervention rather than a lifetime ...
    Continue Reading

  • St. Patrick's Day in Newport

    With the Newport St. Patrick's Day parade just around the corner, it is important to remember that both the Newport Police and the Middletown Police have increased their alcohol enforcement patrols. The 2009 St. Patrick's Day parade saw an unprecedented amount of Salve Regina University and other college students apprehended for the unlawful possession of an alcoholic beverage . Penalties for DUI ...
    Continue Reading

  • Lawsuit for Fatal Crash

    In the January 11, 2010, Providence Journal, staff writer, Katie Mulvaney, reported that a "Barrington teenager who served two years at the state Training School for driving drunk in the 2007 crash that killed his best friend is suing other teenagers and a liquor store alleged to have played a role in the 16-year-old's death." The lawsuit alleges that individuals, including the "liquor store that ...
    Continue Reading

  • Social Host Dispositions

    Rhode Island DUI and Alcohol Offense Lawyer Robert H. Humphrey uses his over fifteen (15) years of legal experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney to successfully guide his clients through the legal process when they have been charged with a violation of the RI Social Host Laws as follows: Criminal charge : Transportation of alcohol by a minor in violation of R.I.G.L. 3-8-9. Potential ...
    Continue Reading

  • Rhode Island Social Host Laws

    During this Holiday Season, it is important to remember the tragedies and near tragedies involving alcohol which occur throughout Rhode Island during this time of year. These alcohol-related tragedies have led to the adoption of Rhode Island's Social Host Laws , which encompasse both criminal and civil liability. From the Rhode Island Supreme Court's holdings in Martin v. Marciano and Willis v. ...
    Continue Reading
Page of 1

We’ll Evaluate Your Case for Free

Let us explain your options. We offer initial consultations at no charge to you. Call (401) 816-5862 or email us today.

  • Please enter your name.
  • This isn't a valid email address.
    Please enter your email address.
  • This isn't a valid phone number.
    Please enter your phone number.
    You entered an invalid number.
  • Please enter a message.
  • Please select an option.