Parents who host teenage drinking parties or
allow underage adults to drink in their home need to know the
consequences of the law. For a printable version of the laws,
check out our Know The Law Fact Card!
Fact#1 - It is illegal
in NJ to serve alcohol to anyone who is under the legal drinking
age of 21 (NJSA 2C:33-17a).
Fact #2 – It is
illegal in NJ to make your home or property available for the purpose
of allowing anyone who is under the legal drinking age of 21 a place
to consume alcohol (NJSA 2C:33-17b).
Fact #3 – Any person
who serves or makes alcohol available to a person under the legal
drinking age of 21 is subject to a $1,000 fine and up to 180 days
in jail per person served. Parents can be held civilly liable even
if they are not present during the time of the party (NJSA 2C:33-17).
Fact #4 – If serving
an underage person alcohol results in injury, the adult may be
charged with Endangering the Welfare of Children, and may be subject
to a fine of up to $15,000 and up to 5 years in state prison
(NJSA 2C:24-4).
Fact #5 – New Jersey
Law imposes civil liability on social hosts who serve alcohol to anyone
under the legal drinking age of 21 who is subsequently involved in an
incident causing injury or death.
Fact #6 – A social
host may be sued for up to two years after an incident that occurs
resulting in injury or death. As the result of a lawsuit, your house,
car, and bank accounts may be seized and future wages may be garnished.