My son is 17 and got drunk at a party one evening. He has never been in trouble before this.?

Question

He was caught by the police when his friend pulled the car over so he could vomit. The police called an ambulance because he was so drunk. I found out the next day that one of the kids mothers (whom I do not know) supplied the alcohol for about 50 teens. When I called her she said "they are going to do it anyway" so what is the big deal? I was upset because I do not allow him to drink and I do not feel it is her place to give him this alcohol. I do hold him responsible for this however I also hold her responsible. I now have over $1000 in hospital/ambulance bills. Should she pay for 1/2 since she allowed this in her home without my permission. I cannot afford to pay this and dont want my credit ruined.

Answer 1

What you can do is file a complaint against her with the police. It is against the law to provide minors with alcohol. She can be charge with contributing to the deliquency of a minor. She can be fined, jailed and made to pay restitution. Get thee to the police department and get cooking.

Then ground that little twerp son of yours until his 18th birthday......

Answer 2

I used to work in a liquor store and encountered this problem all the time. It is really common. I am sure that she would be held responsible to some degree for providing under-aged with alcohol, this is an easy question which your local police sargeant should be able to answer (I called my local up all the time to ask questions when I worked there).

As an after thought it would also be worth-while finding out where she got the liquor from, if her son was with her (and he did not have proof of 18+ age) she should have been refused service by the liquor store, in which case you can also take the store to court. (However if he wasn't with her, the store is not at fault). You probably wouldn't get any money other than court fees back - all fines would go to the state or something, but it is the principal of the thing. Alot of people are leniant on 17yos, after all - its only a year - but in the US its illegal to drink until 21 - thats 4 years, different countries yes, but the affects on the kids are the same. Our lax laws on alcohol are being abused and its up to parents to take a stand.

Answer 3

I agree with holding your son responsible for the entire thing. He is old enough to be able to work it off, while learning a lesson.

Also, credit agencies view/show medical bills differently than other bills. Your credit may not be "ruined" because of an outstanding medical bill.

You didn't explain the entire story regarding the woman. For instance, did she not allow anyone to drive, who had been drinking? If she had rules, such as no drinking for drivers, then she may have very well saved the lives of the kids, who would have gone out that night elsewhere. It's a much larger picture to view, than you have given us here.

Answer 4

I would think seriously about making the child get a job & pay for the entire fiasco himself. I would also check into the laws regarding adults supplying liquer to underage children, & their legal responsibilities. I would definately have the child pay at LEAST 1/2, besides grounding them. (Even if the woman winds up paying for it In Full, I'd hold what the child has pays, to use in case of future emergency of his, if possible.)

Some parents sell: the child's furnishings, recreational equipment, etc., to help pay for it, & if the child wants them replaced, they have to earn the $ to purchase the replacements...AFTER paying the determined 'price' for the fiasco. A doubled-over quilt & blanket can be used as a bed, until then...

That method is termed, "Tough Love". Unfortunately, it backfires with some children... those who aren't emotionally mature for their age can only react, rather than reason & learn from it. Those need sricter surveillance, often for life.

A parent is legally responsible for things their under-age child does, so you are responsible to the hospital to see that they get paid. However, the courts might view that 'mother' who supplied the liquer as responsible to you for reimbursement--for which you might have to take her to court (Small Claims), as well as other issues, such as: "contributing to the delinquency of a minor"!

[Others are right about you needing a conviction to be able to successfully sue the woman.]

The following articles may be helpful to both you & your son:

Young People Ask:
What's Wrong With Binge Drinking?
- The Dangers
- Tragic Statistics
- Pressure to Drink
- What Choice Will [They] Make?
http://watchtower.org/e/20040922a/article_01.htm

Drug Abuse in the Family--What Can You Do? :
- Young People and Drugs
- How to Protect Your Children...
http://watchtower.org/e/20030408/article_01.htm

Helping Teens in Trouble :
- Youths in Crisis
- The Pressures Facing Youths
- Help for Todays Youths
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2005/4/8/article_01.htm

Answer 5

It may be a long road to force her to pay this. Small claims court could be the way to go. Criminal court will have to be first, though. What she did is illegal. Once she has been convicted, you will have proof for Small Claims court. Formally, she should offer to pay the entire amount, but few people with these attitudes do. Remaining "dumb" is their only defense. Don't allow her to get away with it. She is encouraging delinquency in every child there, and their friends who like that and grow up to pass that along. Remain firm in your resolve to have her prosecuted, that will show your son that you mean business when it comes to his illegal drinking. He will not take your word seriously if you don't. You will have lost every argument you want to make before it even begins.
Even before her conviction, have a serious talk with your son about his part in this. He is responsible for living up to your rules, even when you are not there. If he cannot prove his actions to you, he has to lose privileges. Stand firm.

Answer 6

She could be found responsible for the entire bill as your son is a minor whom she damaged in violation of the law. Bring an action in Small Claims Court, IMHO you are very likely to win. You should also file a complaint with the police as to her illegal actions, if you haven't already done so.

Answer 7

I believe that most kids will try drinking at some point and there is not much you can do to stop it except to try to instill values in your child from a young age.

However, what this mother did was illegal and not only should she pay the entire hospital bill but she should be facing a judge. That extremely irresponsible and very bad parenting. Best of luck to you and I hope you do pursue this.

Answer 8

You can sue her in civil court to recover the money spent on fines, legal fees and ambulance. I think you would have a good case in small claims court.
I would also contact the DA's office. She needs to be prosecuted for contributing to the deliquency of a minor and supplying alcohol to minors.

Answer 9

You should contact the police and have her arrested. Providing alcohol to minors is a FELONY!!! You have every leg to stand on and make her pay for her misjudgements. She will have to pay restitution and probably do jail time or probation. I would hire and attorney and have her arrested!

Here is an article to help you! =) Heather

Social host liability is created by a statute or case law that imposes liability on social hosts as a result of their serving alcohol to persons or minors. Frequently persons subject to social host liability criminal and civil actions are those that provided alcohol to obviously intoxicated or minors who subsequently are involved in vehicle crashes or other activities causing death or injury to third-parties, but these are not necessary conditions. A social host is most often a private individual who serves alcohol in a non-commercial setting.

The related body of law governing the liability of taverns, liquor stores and other commercial establishments that serve alcoholic beverages is known as dramshop liability.

Social host liability can vary greatly across states, a problem increased by the often heavy reliance on previous case precedent which is not included in the text of the law but has bearing. Avoiding liability totally can only be achieved by not serving any alcohol. If you plan to serve alcohol at a gathering or party, it is important to know how responsible you are for guests' actions during and after the party.

Most people are aware that serving alcohol to minors is almost exclusively illegal, and further they may be held liable if the alcohol provided contributes to an accident or sex crime. In some states, such as Massachusetts, a minor who serves other minors may be liable. If the underage event took place in someone's home, the parents may be held liable even if they weren't present and did not provide the alcohol. If the parents had "probable cause" to know an underage party would occur while they were away, they can be held liable for the party-goers' actions on and off their property.

In many cases there exist several areas of, and persons subject to, liability. In a civil procedure a jury allocates monetary retribution. States vary in their rules regarding joint and several liability.

In Canada, one of the most notable cases involving social host liability is Childs v. Desormeaux.

Hope this helps =)

Answer 10

She broke several laws-contributing to the delinquency of a minor-providing alcohol to a minor.She is lucky he didn't have alcohol poisoning.I would file charges against her and talk to any other parents (if you know any) whose child was there to find out if they were filing charges.She is liable for the medical bills @ least 1/2 .She may have provided it but she didn't force it down his throat.Your son may/may not have drank before and you need to talk with him about this little escapade.The ol' boys will be boys thing doesn't get it here.

Answer 11

She should pay for at last half, but good luck getting it out of her. Maybe you should consider filing legal charges against her - contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or supplying alcohol to a minor. She was wrong and you have every right to be upset. Your kid could have died from alcohol poisoning. Good thing the cop recognized the signs and got him help. He probably saved your son's life.