The Del Mar City Council may pass an ordinance holding adults responsible if they give teenagers alcohol or drugs, according to a recent news article posted by local CBS affiliate KFMB.
The ordinance, known as a “social host ordinance,” prohibits adults from providing intoxicating substances like drugs or alcohol to minors. A person convicted of violating the ordinance may face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. According to Del Mar’s city attorney, the ordinance is intended to curb teen drinking by limiting minors’ access to alcohol. Several other California cities have already passed similar ordinances prohibiting adults from providing alcohol or drugs to adolescents.
In most U.S. states, a dram shop law allows someone who is injured by an intoxicated person to sue the person or company that provided alcohol or drugs to the intoxicated person. In California, a person hurt by an intoxicated minor may sue a vendor, such as a bar or store, who provided alcohol or drugs to the intoxicated minor. However, California state law does not allow an injured person to sue a social host who gives intoxicants to a minor. The social host ordinances provide consequences in social host situations.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a drunk driver, please contact San Diego auto accident injury attorney Steven A. Elia. The Law Offices of Steven A. Elia have successfully handled numerous injury cases. We will fight to protect your rights and win you the compensation you deserve. Call 619-444-2244 today to schedule a consultation.
