Hingham Police, Students Explore Dangers of Teen Parties

The Hingham Police Department along with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and students from Hingham High School will put on a mock trial this morning at the high school about the state’s Social Host Law.

The trial is based on a police officer testifying about responding to a disturbance at a house party with minors and booze everywhere.

Under the “social host” law, a  host is liable when he or she serves alcohol or controls the supply of alcohol.  Any parent who is convicted of allowing alcohol to be delivered to minors could face up to one year in prison or up to a $2,000 fine or both.

In the last year two South Shore mothers faced charges after allegedly "hosting" underage parties.

In January, Tracy Miner of Cohasset was summoned to Hingham court to determine whether she violated the state’s social host law after her son threw a New Years party.

When police arrived at Miner’s home,, they found two 55 gallon containers full of beer cans and liquor bottles in the basement and the room smelt of marijuana.

Last year, police say a Hingham mother allowed drinking at a house party on  Brewer Way in which over 30 teens from 17 different towns were present.

“Parents have a liability for being responsible for knowing what’s going on in their house,” Hingham Police Sgt. Steven Dearth told Patch last year.  “When we have the probable cause, we will charge the person.”