Is it illegal to serve an intoxicated patron?
In Florida, it is illegal for businesses that sell or serve alcoholic beverages to serve an intoxicated patron. This is known as “over-service” and is a violation of Florida’s Liquor Liability Law. This law was established to ensure that businesses selling or serving alcohol do not serve individuals who are already intoxicated or under the legal drinking age. Under the law, businesses that serve or sell alcoholic beverages can be held liable if they serve alcohol to an intoxicated individual. This means that if a person becomes intoxicated after being served alcohol at a bar, restaurant, or other business, the business that served them can be held responsible for the damages caused by the intoxicated individual. It is also illegal for businesses to serve minors, as well as to sell alcohol to minors. If a business sells alcohol to a minor, they can be charged with a criminal offense, as well as be held liable for any damages caused by the minors as a result of their intoxication. To comply with the Liquor Liability Law, businesses should properly train their employees on how to identify signs of intoxication, and how to refuse service to patrons who are already intoxicated. Businesses should also have procedures in place to ensure that only customers of legal drinking age are served alcoholic beverages.
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