Adults Face Charges For Private Drinking By Minors

If minors drink in private homes, clubs or even motels, police also will be able to arrest the adults who own the property under a law signed Thursday.

For years, tavern owners and party hosts who tolerate drinking that leads to accident and injury have been vulnerable to lawsuits.

Now, adults - even parents - who permit those under 21 to drink on their property face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

“The bottom line is, it’s against the law. I don’t want to hear any excuses, you are not supposed to do it,” Gov. Christie Whitman said as she signed the measure into law.

Sen. John Girgenti said police asked for the change in law because they could not act against drinking parties that were going on inside private premises.