Entertaining and Safety

Many of us are planning to entertain family or friends at our homes for a variety of holiday or festive occasions.  But before we all begin enjoying the festivities, take a moment to read some important information about consuming alcohol at a social gathering.

As a social host, you may be serving alcohol to your guests. If you do serve alcohol, you have a responsibility to keep your eye on your guests’ level of intoxication.  You must know that if one of your guests is too intoxicated, and gets into a car accident and injures someone after leaving your house, the injured person may be able to hold you legally responsible. The injured person could be in another vehicle, or could even be the passenger of the intoxicated guest.  If your guest is visibly intoxicated and is going to drive, you should try to stop him or her from driving.  You can ask another guest to drive them home or call a taxi for them.  Take time before your party to gather business cards of local taxi companies so you have them on hand if needed.

As a guest at a social gathering, most adults will consume some alcohol.  Before you drive yourself to a party and drink alcohol, take a few moments to figure out how you will get home at the end of the night.  Select a designated driver or be prepared with the telephone numbers of taxi services in your area.  Do not get stuck in a situation where you have already consumed alcohol, but feel that you have no other choice but to drive.

There are high incidences of DWI around the holidays and special events like graduations and weddings.  A DWI charge carries with it significant fines, license suspension and other serious penalties and consequences.  What would you do if you lost your license and couldn’t drive yourself to work? How about if you caused an accident and someone was injured?  No one wants to be faced with these questions.  The better course is to avoid the conduct that can get you into such trouble in the first place.  Unfortunately, despite all of the warnings against drinking and driving, people continue to drive while under the influence of alcohol and drugs and are charged with DWI.

DWI charges are handled in the Municipal Court, but that does not mean that the situation is not serious...it is.  You should seek the help of an experienced lawyer to review your case and guide you through the process.  While charges of DWI rarely disappear altogether, a lawyer can help you make the best of a bad situation.  Please, don’t drink and drive.