Although this is only the beginning of the school year, high school students are already looking forward to spring proms and graduations. Parents and school districts are beginning to form committees to plan overnight parties to mark those defining rites of passage. The “safe” prom and graduation parties are supervised events that became popular in most school districts during the 1980s and 1990s. They were established to create alternatives to the alcohol-related celebrations that used to be common when the legal drinking age was 18.

Recently, some students have started to balk at the idea of these parties, preferring instead to have private parties where alcohol will be served. Sometimes, parents volunteer to host these events in the belief that it is safer for students to drink in a supervised environment. These well-meaning adults may not understand that these parties are illegal, and may expose themselves to criminal and civil liability.

“Parents need to understand that there are legal ramifications for adults who host a party where alcohol is served to underage youth,” said Michele James, St. Lawrence County Special Programs Coordinator.

Under New York State Penal Law, the crime of unlawfully dealing with a child provides that it is a misdemeanor “to give, sell, or cause to be given or sold,” any alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21. There is an exception in the law for a parent or guardian who provides alcohol to his or her own child. However, criminal and civil penalties may still apply if the child has been given alcohol by a parent, and subsequently becomes ill or injured, or injures someone else. Also, there is no exception to the law for a person who gives alcohol to another person’s child, even if that person was given permission by the child’s parent.

Providing alcohol to an underage person is also a violation of the Alcohol Beverage Control Act (ABC Laws). Charges under ABC laws may also apply to the person under 21 who possesses alcohol with the intent to consume it, unless that possession falls within the legal exceptions. Violations of these laws may involve a fine, attendance at an approved alcohol education course, and community service.

People who supply alcohol to underage people are legally responsible under the General Obligation Law, section 11-100, known as the Social Host Law. If an underage youth becomes intoxicated and becomes injured or injures someone else, the person who knowingly provided the alcohol can be subject to civil lawsuits. Some insurance policies may not cover judgments against the homeowner if they are the result of homeowner’s illegal actions.

“A party situation can get out of control very easily when teens binge on alcohol,” said St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Information Specialist Mary Davison.

“All it takes is one teen who trips and falls, gets into a fight, or gets behind the wheel.”