For many Pennsylvania high schoolers and college students, attending a house party with alcohol is a rite of passage. However, for parents, these types of parties can be a major source of anxiety—and at times, they can even lead to criminal charges for adults who know about or facilitate a house party where alcohol is consumed by anyone under the age of 21. Read on to learn more about the laws related to teenagers' house parties in Pennsylvania.

Minors and Alcohol in Pennsylvania

Let's start with one of the most basic legal facts related to house parties: it is illegal for anyone under 21 to consume, possess, purchase, or transport alcoholic beverages in Pennsylvania. In addition, it is illegal to provide alcohol to someone under 21 or allow anyone under 21 to consume alcohol in your presence.

However, this isn't where your legal liability ends if you allow your child to have a house party with alcohol at your home or provide alcohol to someone under 21. You could also face charges of endangering the welfare of a child. And, under Pennsylvania's social host law, you could face additional legal penalties.

Penalties for Providing Alcohol to Minors in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania police don't hesitate to break up house parties where minors are drinking alcohol. They want to set the precedent that this is not acceptable behavior, in part because of the consequences these situations can lead to, including minors driving under the influence and causing accidents. Police will take action against an adult who allows minors to throw a party with alcohol or provides alcohol to such a party.

In the case of a house party, where multiple minors are consuming alcohol, you could face charges for each person under 21 who drinks at a party at your house. These charges carry a penalty of fines up to $1000, or, in some extreme cases, even jail time. Keep in mind that this fine is for the first charge, and subsequent charges could come with higher fines, so you could be facing serious financial penalties for a house party where a group of minors drink. You could face additional fines for child endangerment charges.

And if a minor drinking at a party where you served alcohol is injured while they are under the influence, you could be held legally responsible. You may even face jail time, depending on the circumstances.

Contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team for Help

House parties are a common part of teenage life, but they can have serious legal consequences, both for the young people who attend and any adults who know of or facilitate the consumption of alcohol by anyone under 21. The LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team can help if you're facing charges of providing alcohol to minors or child endangerment as the result of a house party attended by teenagers in Pennsylvania. These charges are serious, but you can—and should—fight them to try to defend your good name and protect yourself from fines or other consequences. Call our office today at 888-535-3686 or use our online contact form to schedule a consultation.