Mom arrested for serving beer

[Nutty_ZA]

West Hempstead, New York -
A woman accused of allowing her 18-year-old son to drink at her birthday party is the first person to be arrested in her county under a new law that has been adopted in several communities around the United States.

Karen Dittmer, 45, is accused of allowing her son and several other underage guests to drink beer on Sunday evening at a party in the backyard of her New York state home.

The law allows for homeowners or renters over the age of 17 to be held criminally responsible if minors drink in their homes. The law makes exceptions for alcohol consumed for religious ceremonies.

Dittmer called her arrest "ridiculous".

"I would never ever serve alcohol to a minor," she said. "I have three children of my own. I would never ever do that."
First and second offences carry fines of $250 or $500.
On a third strike, offenders can face up to a year in prison and a $1 000 fine. Similar measures are already in place in communities in Virginia, Nebraska and California.


Hmmm... methinks that is going overboard a little bit... I know you have to be 21 to drink alcohol in the States but 18 is the legal age in most countries...
Makes you think that our American "friends" are a little backward

[smartsez]

Originally Posted by Nutty_ZA

The law allows for homeowners or renters over the age of 17 to be held criminally responsible if minors drink in their homes.

so... if a 18 year old has an apartment, and a 19 year old drinks in it, its the 18yr old who would be held responsible for serving a minor?!

I thought you were allowed to drink in your own home anyway? thought it was illegal to be 'sold' it under age?!

[Nutty_ZA]

Originally Posted by smartsez

so... if a 18 year old has an apartment, and a 19 year old drinks in it, its the 18yr old who would be held responsible for serving a minor?!

I thought you were allowed to drink in your own home anyway? thought it was illegal to be 'sold' it under age?!

Yep, that's about the gist of it

You are allowed to own a home but you're not allowed to drink or serve dirnks to your friends...

[smartsez]

Doesnt quite add up that does it?

[TheGuru]

Originally Posted by smartsez

so... if a 18 year old has an apartment, and a 19 year old drinks in it, its the 18yr old who would be held responsible for serving a minor?!

I thought you were allowed to drink in your own home anyway? thought it was illegal to be 'sold' it under age?!

Im pretty sure that there is no law in the UK that forbids minors from drinking alcohol at home. As you correctly state it is illegal to sell alcohol to unders 18's.

In most UK cities it is illegal for anybody to drink alcohol in the street.