Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer

Law Offices of Russell J Matson, PC - Criminal Defense

Free Initial Consultation

Call or TEXT Now!

(781) 817-6332

  • Home
  • Case Wins
  • Massachusetts Criminal Charges
  • Criminal Court Process
    • Clerk Magistrate’s Hearing
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Charges
    • How to Seal A Criminal Record in Massachusetts
    • Massachusetts CORI Reform
  • About
  • Blog

Providing Alcohol to Minors Law in Massachusetts – “Social Host”

September 24, 2020 2 Comments

Massachusetts “Social Host” law makes adults responsible for the actions of teens under their watch. It is illegal for adults to provide, supply, or furnish alcohol to anyone under age (under 21), and also to knowingly allow underage drinking in one’s home.

The charges can be pretty clear cut if parents or adults actually directly provided alcohol to underage kids. But things get complicated if the police don’t know, and the Commonwealth can’t prove that adults were aware of the party & drinking going on. For example, if the parents were away, or kids were drinking in the basement and the parents didn’t know they had access to alcohol, that could be a legitimate legal defense.

Social host charges or a criminal citation to appear at a clerk magistrate’s hearing, to be are far more likely to be applied if the party was the direct cause of a serious incident. That could be an injury, a DUI, or, these days, a COVID outbreak and school closings, such as recently happened in Lincoln-Sudbury.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: criminal charges Tagged With: alcohol, drinking, social host

Free Consultation

Contact our attorneys for a free legal case evaluation on any criminal charge by calling:


(781) 817-6332


Receive our free legal defense consultation and case evaluation. We'll explain what you are facing in plain language, and tell you how we can help.

How to Win a Clerk Magistrate’s Hearing

I wrote the book on winning your case at a Clerk Magistrate's hearing. My book on How to beat a Clerk Magistrate's Hearing.
Complete this Form





Buy my book on Amazon

Or just email me and I'll send you a copy.
Seriously.
Don't really buy it. Just submit my web form above with your mailing address and we will send you one for free! No obligation.

How to Beat Your Clerk Magistrate's Hearing

$9.97
Shop Now

Criminal Procedures

  • Do I Need a Lawyer for an Arraignment in Massachusetts?
  • How to Avoid a Criminal Record – Pretrial Probation vs Pretrial Diversion
  • What To Do While You Are Waiting For a Clerk Magistrate’s Hearing Date
  • I Know I Am Guilty. Should I Just Plead Guilty in Court?
  • How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in Massachusetts?

OUI Charges

  • OUI (First Offense)
  • OUI Second Offense
  • OUI Third Offense (and Greater)
  • OUI Marijuana or Operating Under the Influence of Drugs
  • Massachusetts OUI Penalties: Third, Fourth and Fifth Offenses
  • Worried About Your OUI? Dealing with bad circumstances in OUI cases
  • How To Work Out a DUI Plea Deal in Massachusetts
  • Arrested for Drunk Driving? Taking the Case to Trial

Criminal Charges

  • Assault & Battery
  • Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (ABDW)
  • Bad Checks / Fraud
  • Burglary / Breaking and Entering
  • Child Endangerment
  • Hate Crimes
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Possession
  • Drug Possession – Class B Substance – Cocaine
  • Drug Possession – Marijuana
  • Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute
  • Failure to Appear
  • Firearms / Weapons Offenses
  • Harassment / Stalking
  • Hit and Run / Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Property Damage
  • Impersonating a Police Officer or Other Peace or Investigative Officer
  • Indecent Assault and Battery
  • Indecent Exposure
  • Larceny / Shoplifting / Theft
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury
  • Minor in Possession of Alcohol or False Identification
  • Motor Vehicle Homicide Citation
  • Operating to Endanger / Negligent Operation (Reckless Driving)
  • Open and Gross Lewdness
  • Prostitution
  • Property Damage / Malicious Damage
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Sexual Assault / Rape – Laws and Penalties
  • Suspended License
  • Solicitation – Engaging in Sexual Conduct For a Fee
  • Trespassing
  • Threatening to Commit a Crime
Russell J. MatsonReviewsout of 5 reviews

Copyright © 2022 Law Offices of Russell J. Matson, PC