With Christmas and New Year’s Day upon us, many parties will be held, some of which will offer alcoholic beverages.
A law that was passed on July 1 of 2011, called the social host law, makes it illegal for an adult to knowingly allow minors to consume or possess alcoholic beverages on their property, states a Mississippi Department of Revenue press release.
Pearl River County residents will want to ensure that if alcoholic beverages are served at their parties minors do not partake.
The release describes a recent case that began early on Sept. 25 of this year, where an automobile accident near Purvis resulted in the deaths of three teenagers.
A subsequent investigation conducted by the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control Bureau of Enforcement, at the request and with the assistance of the Lamar County Sheriff’s Department, led to a warrant being issued for the arrest of 42-year-old Kristi Morris of 32 Morris Dr., Purvis, for six counts of violating the social host law, six counts of furnishing beer or light wine to a minor and possession of beer or light wine in a dry county, the release states. Pearl River County is also a dry county.
Morris turned herself into to Lamar County officials on Wednesday, but was released without a bond, the release states.
She will have to appear in Lamar County Justice Court to face the charges. If she’s convicted of the charges, she could have to pay a $1,000 fine and serve 90 days in jail for each of the social host charges, a $500 fine and 30 days of community service for the furnishing beer or light wine to a minor charges, and up to 90 days in jail and or a $500 fine for the possession of beer or light wine in a dry county charge.
The findings of the investigation are being turned over to the Lamar County Sheriff’s Department, the release states. It is unclear if the Sheriff’s Department will resume the investigation and if further charges could be pressed against Morris at a later date.