NCJ Number
119935
Journal
Alcohol Health and Research World Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: (Summer 1986) Pages: 32-34
Date Published
1986
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A lawsuit filed by a woman injured by a drunk driver led to a decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court that a social host who serves a visibly intoxicated guest may be liable for the consequences of the resulting drunk driving.
Abstract
Similar rulings in some other jurisdictions have been nullified by legislative action. In New Jersey, a commission on alcoholic beverage liability recommended the legislature take the issue of social host liability out of the court system and define it statutorily. Recent polls indicate public opinion disagreed with the New Jersey ruling, even though the ruling applied only to small gatherings where the host personally served the guest. Currently, 12 States provide for at least limited social host liability.