Hosting a PHOENIX ARIZONA HOUSE Party for the Holiday? What you need to know LEGAL-WISE
Whether inspired by a special occasion or just spontaneity, it’s (almost) always fun to host a Phoenix Arizona House party. Parties often include alcohol. Alcohol can put people in a very good mood. But it can also lead to some bad things as well. Here’s what you need to know as a social host in Arizona.
Arizona has a “dram shop” law that is applicable to bars, restaurants, and others who are licensed to sell alcohol. It imposes liability when a person is injured by a patron who was served alcohol while “obviously intoxicated” and/or underaged.
But if you’re just the average Jane or Joe throwing a party with alcohol the dram shop law does not apply to you. In fact, Arizona law specifically exempts you from liability for serving alcohol “to a person of the legal drinking age.” A.R.S. § 4-301.
You can, however, be liable if you serve alcohol to someone who is not of legal drinking age. So if you serve alcohol to a 20 year old who then goes out and gets in a car wreck, you may be liable to anyone he injures in the wreck. Know your guests. Check I.D. if you have any doubt.
Some other tips:
- If you’re serving alcohol, serve food as well.
- Monitor your guests’ drinking. If someone has had too much, slow them down or cut them off. Don’t be afraid of being a buzzkill. It’s way better than a lot of the bad things that can happen if don’t intervene.
- Allow your guests to crash at your place, or arrange a safe ride home for them if they’ve been drinking.
- Do not let your guests drink and drive. If they insist on driving, take the keys. Do whatever. Believe me, you are doing them and yourself a huge favor. They may or may not thank you later, but you’ll know you’ve done the right thing, and maybe saved a life.
Remember, throwing a party can be a great experience. But it comes with real responsibility.
Play it safe, and you and your guests can have awesome memories of it.
