It's Party Time...Prom and Graduation Party Tips - If You Are Hosting You Need To Attend This

Wayland's Junior Prom is just over a week away, and graduation season is close behind, so many parents are planning pre-prom get-togethers, after-prom weekends for their teen, and graduation parties for high school and/or college students. If you are one of those parents you need to attend this presentation by Attorney John Scheft at Wayland High School on Tuesday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.  

Attorney Scheft is the owner of Law Enforcement Dimensions in Arlington. His specialized legal training programs have been well received throughout Massachusetts as he is well versed in the laws of the Commonwealth and is a skilled and engaging presenter who has been involved in teaching law enforcement personnel for many years.

WaylandCares has brought Attorney Scheft in to provide training to the Wayland Police Department. Now we are fortunate to have him come and talk to students and parents about the most recent court decisions pertaining to social host liability. 

Social Host Liability is the legal term for the criminal and civil responsibility of a person who furnishes liquor to a guest of any age. 

Here are some recent examples of social host liability in Massachusetts:

Lenox, Mass. -- Law enforcement authorities, state legislators and school administrators stress that the death of Remy Kirshner, 17, the passenger in the vehicle driven by Philip K. Baruch, Jr., 18 -- both students at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School -- demonstrates the responsibility of parents who host house parties for teens.

On New Year's Eve Middleton Police received a call from a Lake Street residence requesting medical aid for a 15-year-old female. When paramedics arrived on the scene, the female was unresponsive and incoherent...

Better than 25 percent of freshman and juniors at Hingham High School responded in a 2010 survey that they have been to drinking parties where parents were home and knew there was alcohol available to minors.

WaylandCares wants young people to know why their parents are not enthusiastic about hosting one of the many celebrations that occur this time of year, or why their parents don't allow them to stay home alone for the weekend.

WaylandCares wants parents to know what to do to avoid problems that may arise from hosting that prom or graduation party. 

Some of the questions that will be answered:

* Can I avoid liability by renting a hotel room for my son/daughter's graduation party?

*  If my child hosts a party while I am away, can I still be held liable?

*  What should I do if my teenage son/daughter's underage friends bring alcohol into my home and start drinking?

*  I am under 21. Does the Social Host Law apply to me?

*  If I host a party at my parents' house while they are away, can they be held liable?

*  I am hosting a party at which I'll be providing alcohol for people 21 and older. There will be people under 21 in attendance, but I will not be giving them alcohol. If I know that the guests under 21 brought their own, but I do not take it away, and simply ignore it, am I liable under the Social Host Law?

WaylandCares is offering this free presentation for all age groups. If you ever host social gatherings where alcoholic beverages may be consumed, you should attend this presentation.