Holiday Parties Can Pose Moral, Legal Concerns For Homeowners

DETROIT (WWJ) - Many people will be throwing holiday parties this year - but other than a moral obligation to keep your guests sober for when they leave your home, and get in a car to drive, there is not much on the books legally to address that scenario.

Michigan law does not make the you, the party-thrower, or homeowner, responsible if your guest leaves your party and hurts or kills someone in an auto accident says WWJ legal analyst, Charlie Langton.

Attorney Ven Johnson tells WWJ that the argument is: "that if I am having people over, I'm just a homeowner, so I am not a professional liquor server."

Johnson says there are exceptions, such as when a bar over-serves a customer, that bar could be held accountable, and if you serve a minor you are going to face real legal trouble.

Here are a few do's and don'ts for the holidays ... keep in mind to take the time to appreciate your friends and family, and to enjoy the time you have with your loved ones. Sometimes, the quieter moments can be the ones we will remember the most.