They arrived on a disturbance call, August 5 2007 and when they left, Nassau County police in New York had made their first arrest under a new law. The Social Host Law had been enacted on July 17 after it had passed unanimously by the county Legislature.
The Social Host Law allows for renters or homeowners over the age of 17 to be criminally responsible if minors drink in their home. The law does make exceptions for alcohol consumption for religeous ceremonies.
Karen Dittmer, 45, was ticketed for allowing her 18 year-old son and his friends to drink at her birthday party. She called her arrest ridiculous and stated that she would never serve alcohol to a minor.
The new law has fines of $250 and $500 for the first and second offenses. The third offense carries lets offenders face up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Besides Nassua County, Amityville, Long Beach and Glen Cove have the same law. New York isn't the only state to have this law, Virginia, parts of California and Nebraska have similar laws.
Karen's son Donald, 18, was also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. It should be interesting to see how well the new law stands up in court and if it does, will it open the eyes to under age drinking under their own roof.
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