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Home  >  Law Library  >  Social Host Liability Laws

Social Host Liability Laws

Many areas punish hosts and liquor-providers if they are somewhat liable for a drunk driving accident. Known as social host liability laws, these laws are intended to keep people from serving alcohol to certain patrons or guests. However, these laws are not uniformly applied across the country, and can vary greatly from state to state.

Liability for Alcohol Service

There are two major types of host liability laws which may be included in a state’s legal code. One, known as dram shop liability, punishes liquor stores and bars for selling alcohol to certain individuals if they then cause a car accident. The other is known as social host liability. Although the precise definition changes from state to state, a social host liability law may:

  • Hold a host liable if he or she serves alcohol to a minor, and that minor then causes a drunk driving accident
  • Hold a host liable if he or she provides alcohol to an adult who is clearly intoxicated who then causes a drunk driving accident
  • Hold a host liable if he or she provides alcohol to a known alcoholic, and that individual then causes a drunk driving accident

Normally, a person can be charged for serving a clearly intoxicated individual or serving a minor. However, these liability laws make the consequences of doing so much more severe.

Contact Us

If you have been charged with a DUI-related offense and need legal assistance, we may be able to help. To learn more about your legal options, contact the Arizona DUI defense lawyers of Thompson & Volquardsen, P.C., by calling 602-510-9999 today.