Practice Quiz

Alcohol Safety

Category - Legal

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What is the difference between “criminal liability” and “civil liability,” and which can apply to an establishment that serves alcohol?
  1. Criminal liability holds people responsible for committing crimes while civil liability holds people responsible for paying damages. Both can apply to drinking establishments.
  2. Criminal liability only holds people responsible for payment of damages, but civil liability goes a step further by holding them responsible for committing crimes as well. Civil liability can apply to drinking establishments.
  3. Criminal liability refers to holding people responsible for both committing crimes and paying damages, while civil liability means the person can be charged with either one or the other. Neither applies to drinking establishments since only individual employees can be charged with crimes or ordered to pay damages.
  4. Criminal liability means a restaurant can be held liable if it employs known wanted criminals. Civil liability means that civilians are legally obligated to obey liquor laws.
Explanation
Answer: A - The difference between criminal liability and civil liability is that criminal liability holds people responsible for committing crimes whereas civil liability holds people responsible for paying damages, though drinking establishments can face both forms of liability under the law.

Most states will hold someone civilly liable if he or she serves alcohol to an intoxicated person who then causes damage while under the influence. Likewise, most states will also hold someone criminally liable if he or she is found to have served alcohol to a minor or an already intoxicated customer (regardless of whether or not the customer actually caused damage).
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