How Adults or Minors Can be Held Accountable

Summer break is just around the corner in Oklahoma. Soon, we’ll see more backyard BBQs, weekends at the lake, graduation parties, and 4th of July celebrations.

Often, hosts will provide their guests with entertainment, games, music and alcoholic beverages. If you have plans to serve alcohol at your next get together, it is important to brush up on the liability you may face as a host.

In Oklahoma, we have a law called Social Host Law. This law puts a shared responsibility for underage drinking on the person providing the location whether they are physically present at the event or the property owner themselves.

This responsibility of being a social host can fall on both adults and minors who provide a place for underaged drinking to occur. If caught, the fines are immediate of up to $500 for the first offense. If someone is injured or killed due to an accident caused by a social host violation, adults or minors found responsible could be charged with a felony. This charge is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.

Repeat offenders are also at risk of prison time. Three violations regardless of death or injury occurring could result in a felony conviction of 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.

It is unthinkable to imagine your child in a drunk driving accident, an overdose, a fight, or engaging in risky or violent sexual behavior because of being under the influence of alcohol. This is why this law is so important. Social Host law makes it all our responsibility to make sure these things do not happen to any kid in Oklahoma.

Begin having conversations with your children about the risk of being a social host and or participating in a social host event. You can also go to oklahoma.gov and search “social host” for more information and resources to use as a tool when beginning these conversations.