Charges Sought Against Hingham Parents for Allegedly Violating “Social Host Law”

siren

Charges have been filed against parents in two separate house parties after Officers respond to two unrelated disturbances Saturday night. The charges include violations of the “Social Host Law”.

On June 15, 2019 at 10:36pm Officers responded to a report of a loud party on Blue Sky Drive. As Officers arrived they could hear a loud party coming from the back yard. They heard someone yell “cops are here” and saw 40-50 teenagers jumping a fence and running into the woods and neighbors yards. Some ran into the house. They saw beer cans and bottles scattered in the back yard. They spoke with the homeowners, who were home, who admitted they were aware that underage teens were drinking at their house. They said it was only supposed to be a few teens. More teens were found hiding in the basement and in closets. All the teens that were located were ages 16-19. They were released to a parent who was called to pick them up.

A short time later, at 11:30pm, Officers responded to a report of a loud party on Colonial Road. Officers hears a loud party in the backyard and saw numerous teens with dozens of beer cans spread out and a trash barrel full of empty beer cans. They also saw teens gathered around a table set up for beer pong. The teens ran into the woods. Officers spoke with the parents, who were both home, along with other adults. Officers were able to locate some of the teens, ages 15-19, and bring them back to the home. One teen was so intoxicated he could barely speak. The teens were released to a parent who was called to pick them up.

The homeowners/parents at each house were informed they would each be charged with Furnishing Alcohol to Minors and Disturbing the Peace. Under the State’s “Social Host Law”, furnishing alcohol to minors includes knowingly or intentionally supplying or allowing those under 21 to possess alcohol on property owned or controlled by the person. Criminal complaints were filed at Hingham District Court. Dates for the hearings have not yet been set. The names of the four parents being charged are not being released because they were not arrested and have not yet been arraigned.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.