Having some friends over and playing music is a great way for young adults to have fun. It is easy to forget that there may be dire consequences when a party gets out of hand.
College parties can spiral out of control quickly and lead to criminal charges. A wild but seemingly harmless party could impact a college student’s future dramatically.
Alcohol
A big get-together can easily create a situation in which minors have access to drugs or alcohol. In these instances, there may be a violation of Florida’s “open house party” law.
Drugs
If the host of a party supplies drugs to guests, he or she could face charges. It is not necessary to sell drugs for criminal wrongdoing to occur.
Drug use at a party could give rise to criminal liability if guests find and misuse a controlled substance which a host lawfully possessed. For example, the fact a host legally possessed medical marijuana will not be exculpatory if guests use it.
Culpable negligence
A person who throws a party could face both civil and criminal liability if a guest experiences harm that may have been preventable. For example, if an intoxicated guest harms another, the person who was responsible for the conditions at a party which led to that harm may be guilty of criminal negligence.
If you or someone in your family is facing criminal liability after a college party, it is important to take the matter very seriously. Even if it seems like the charges are not fair, a prosecutor may seek the maximum penalty.
