Adults/Kids/Killing and Alcohol- Law That's Over the Top?

[kurt]

In the Md./D.C. area, a new proposal is being introduced that is expected to become law. It's this: If an adult allows a minor (20 and below) to drive drunk and/or buys alcohol for them and kills someone, the guilty adult(s) would be charged and serve a sentence of three years in jail for involuntary manslaughter (This also applies to relatives who buy alcohol for the minor such as an older brother, sister, etc.). Is this right??

Costly fines are being written to adults for 1/2 way imposed curfews in many cities whose kids are not off the street by the designated time b/c they sneak out w/o the adult's knowledge. How about this? Is it right to be okay with signing off on a form to allow your own child to go to war and kill someone at the age of 18 but yet the law does not apply to the adults who let kids go to war? Furthermore, can that 18 year old kill a person and not even drink a beer until 21?

That said, I proudly served as a Marine in the 80's and I am not a pacifist. I am a member of the yester-year drinking age of 18 and above and I am surely not in favor of drinking and driving (most of us did at some point in our youth) but there seems to be some sort of ??? here...

[buffettbride]

At first glance, I'd say I'd be in favor of the drinking/driving stipulation. Adults know it's illegal to supply alcohol to a minor, and as a result, if the minor is in an accident because of drinking that alcohol, then that adult is somewhat responsible (and in fact, broke the law).

As for kids sneaking out of the house, well, that's just bad parenting. I did it when I was a kid. If my kid did it, I would expect THEY would bear the consequence. If they are "smart" enough to sneak out of the house, they know it's wrong, and therefore are responsible for the consequence.

That's just me.

[iuparrothead]

I'm thinking the parent's should bear much of the responsibility... maybe a misdemeanor... a huge fine or something... but I'm not sure about a 3 year jail sentence.

[chibears]

this certainly poses a question to me, I can't think, can someone just pass me a beer, that is if your over 21

[kurt]

But a three year jail sentence? As a minor, I would not be responsible. If parents held a grad party or a holiday party that had (in my case over 60+ people) how would they really know who snuck booze in?

[buffettbride]

I'm thinking the parent's should bear much of the responsibility... maybe a misdemeanor... a huge fine or something... but I'm not sure about a 3 year jail sentence.

Really?

I'm struggling with this one. I was such a terror and snuck out all the time. I guess naturally I assumed I would be the one to bear any consequence, should I have done something completely awful.

I think about if Victoria were to do that, and she'd be in hot water...but I'm not seeing how punishing the parent (especially by jail) accomplishes anything. Fines, perhaps. Jail would do more harm then good, actually, and adds to prison overcrowding.

[buffettbride]

But a three year jail sentence? As a minor, I would not be responsible. If parents held a grad party or a holiday party that had (in my case over 60+ people) how would they really know who snuck booze in?

If you're the host of the party, I guess they'd see it just like a bar or restaurant. They'd hold the establishment accountable for the activities that take place there. It's something of which parents (and party throwers) need to be aware.

[buffettbride]

I also need to warn you I'm posting on very little sleep and a lot of caffeine.

[kurt]

I also need to warn you I'm posting on very little sleep and a lot of caffeine.

Not a problem. I love your posts!

[buffettbride]

I also need to warn you I'm posting on very little sleep and a lot of caffeine.

Not a problem. I love your posts!

And my posts feel likewise, I'm sure.

[iuparrothead]

I'm thinking the parent's should bear much of the responsibility... maybe a misdemeanor... a huge fine or something... but I'm not sure about a 3 year jail sentence.

Really?

I'm struggling with this one. I was such a terror and snuck out all the time. I guess naturally I assumed I would be the one to bear any consequence, should I have done something completely awful.

I think about if Victoria were to do that, and she'd be in hot water...but I'm not seeing how punishing the parent (especially by jail) accomplishes anything. Fines, perhaps. Jail would do more harm then good, actually, and adds to prison overcrowding.

That's what I'm sayin'... no jail, but maybe a big fine.

[buffettbride]

I'm thinking the parent's should bear much of the responsibility... maybe a misdemeanor... a huge fine or something... but I'm not sure about a 3 year jail sentence.

Really?

I'm struggling with this one. I was such a terror and snuck out all the time. I guess naturally I assumed I would be the one to bear any consequence, should I have done something completely awful.

I think about if Victoria were to do that, and she'd be in hot water...but I'm not seeing how punishing the parent (especially by jail) accomplishes anything. Fines, perhaps. Jail would do more harm then good, actually, and adds to prison overcrowding.

That's what I'm sayin'... no jail, but maybe a big fine.

I think I'd be OK with fine. I mean, they are minors and parents should be responsible to some degree regarding what the kiddos are doin'.

What if a kid is spending the night at a friend's house and they sneak out of the friend's house? Who is responsible then?

[SMLCHNG]

Wrong or right to others.. but when my keet and his friends were underage, I would supply the booze once in a while, in my home.

But I would collect car keys from anyone who had them, and hid them in my room.

He's almost 23 now, and it was never an issue.

[iuparrothead]

I'm thinking the parent's should bear much of the responsibility... maybe a misdemeanor... a huge fine or something... but I'm not sure about a 3 year jail sentence.

Really?

I'm struggling with this one. I was such a terror and snuck out all the time. I guess naturally I assumed I would be the one to bear any consequence, should I have done something completely awful.

I think about if Victoria were to do that, and she'd be in hot water...but I'm not seeing how punishing the parent (especially by jail) accomplishes anything. Fines, perhaps. Jail would do more harm then good, actually, and adds to prison overcrowding.

That's what I'm sayin'... no jail, but maybe a big fine.

I think I'd be OK with fine. I mean, they are minors and parents should be responsible to some degree regarding what the kiddos are doin'.

What if a kid is spending the night at a friend's house and they sneak out of the friend's house? Who is responsible then?

Good question... especially because I did that ALL the time when I was 16 & 17. 99% of the time I wasn't staying at the place I told my parents I was staying... but in the end, children are the responsibility of their parents until they are 18.

My parents should have done a much more thorough job of checking up on me.

[chibears]

Not to throw out another what if.....but I am.

First off, I do not support guns.

So, if a parent buys their son/daughter a shotgun for hunting, then that child commits murder, the parents should be jailed or fined?

To many laws, our politicians come up with TO MANY laws trying to cover nearly any situation. its a little out of control

[Tiki Bar]

In the Md./D.C. area, a new proposal is being introduced that is expected to become law. It's this: If an adult allows a minor (20 and below) to drive drunk and/or buys alcohol for them and kills someone, the guilty adult(s) would be charged and serve a sentence of three years in jail for involuntary manslaughter (This also applies to relatives who buy alcohol for the minor such as an older brother, sister, etc.). Is this right??

This states "allows a minor to drive drunk, and/or buys alcohol for them and kills someone"... If that were the case, I agree with the proposed sentence. I think parents that do this are incredibly irresponsible. In my case, a friend's mom knew underage drinking occurred at her house, but took everyone's keys. This is irresponsible too, but at least she didn't let them go out driving afterward, and she made sure no one got out of hand, hospital drunk.

Of course, I was Polly Purebred, and didn't partake in such activities! (until I was at least 16!)

[buffettbride]

I'm thinking the parent's should bear much of the responsibility... maybe a misdemeanor... a huge fine or something... but I'm not sure about a 3 year jail sentence.

Really?

I'm struggling with this one. I was such a terror and snuck out all the time. I guess naturally I assumed I would be the one to bear any consequence, should I have done something completely awful.

I think about if Victoria were to do that, and she'd be in hot water...but I'm not seeing how punishing the parent (especially by jail) accomplishes anything. Fines, perhaps. Jail would do more harm then good, actually, and adds to prison overcrowding.

That's what I'm sayin'... no jail, but maybe a big fine.

I think I'd be OK with fine. I mean, they are minors and parents should be responsible to some degree regarding what the kiddos are doin'.

What if a kid is spending the night at a friend's house and they sneak out of the friend's house? Who is responsible then?

Good question... especially because I did that ALL the time when I was 16 & 17. 99% of the time I wasn't staying at the place I told my parents I was staying... but in the end, children are the responsibility of their parents until they are 18.

My parents should have done a much more thorough job of checking up on me.

You surely didn't sneak out and stay at my house. It was usually my house where people went because we could sneak out easily.

My parents hardly ever checked up on me either.

Maybe that's why I'm sooooo much more in Victoria's business than my parents ever were in mind.

[SweetMelissa]

Wrong or right to others.. but when my keet and his friends were underage, I would supply the booze once in a while, in my home.

But I would collect car keys from anyone who had them, and hid them in my room.

He's almost 23 now, and it was never an issue.

My parents did the same...it worked out well.

[iuparrothead]

I was Polly Purebred

[buffettbride]

Not to throw out another what if.....but I am.

First off, I do not support guns.

So, if a parent buys their son/daughter a shotgun for hunting, then that child commits murder, the parents should be jailed or fined?

To many laws, our politicians come up with TO MANY laws trying to cover nearly any situation. its a little out of control

I am also not a gun supporter, but ultimately, a parent is responsible for a minor child's behavior.

In the situation you suggest, yes.

I agree on the notion that too many laws cover other stuff up, but I also think it's partly an attempt to make sure responsibility is put in the right place. IMHO, that's with both parent and child.


The other point, about underage drinking. I *think* I agree with Kurt if what he's saying it's silly that an 18 year old can go to war but can't drink. I think 18 is is a decent enough drinking age. Maybe 19 since some 18 year olds are still in HS. That one is tricky, because it again comes to parents teaching responsible habits.