To help Nassau residents who plan to have a party in their homes better understand their legal liabilities under Nassau’s tough social hosting laws, the Nassau County Bar Association is sponsoring a free community seminar on “Social Hosting: Legal Responsibilities of Party Hosts” on Thursday, March 10, 2011, 7 p.m. at the Bar Association, West Street at the corner of 15th Street, Mineola, NY.
In 2007, Nassau County enacted the “Social Host Law” which placed liability on homeowners for allowing underage drinking at their homes. The new social host law punishes anyone over the age of 21 who is aware of underage drinking at a party at their residence with fines from $250 up to $1,000 and a year in prison.
Explaining the Social Host Law will be a team of legal experts, led by Oscar Michelen, an attorney with more than 25 years representing teens, homeowners and insurance carriers. He will detail the civil liability of homeowners and how they should deal with their insurance companies to ensure proper coverage for claims. Hon. David Goodsell, a judge in Nassau County District Court, will explain how the court operates and his experience presiding over Social Law cases, teens and drinking, and related crimes. Finally, Nassau County Police Detective Lieutenant Gary Shapiro will discuss how the police respond to home parties and the protocol when an officer approaches a home on complaints of “loud party in progress.”
The seminar, chaired by attorney Terry Scheiner of Port Washington, is one of a series of free legal education programs presented each year through NCBA’s Community Relations and Public Education Committee, chaired by attorney Gale Berg of Port Washington. For more information on future public education and legal resources for the public available through NCBA, go to www.nassaubar.org.
