Is it illegal to serve an intoxicated patron?

In Washington, it is illegal for a bartender, server, or anyone else handling alcohol to serve an intoxicated patron. This is known as the Liquor Liability Law, which is in place to protect citizens and to prevent over-service of alcohol. Any establishment that serves alcohol must abide by this law, and doing otherwise may result in criminal penalties and civil liability. Under this law, anyone who serves alcohol must be aware of how much a person has already consumed and how it might affect their ability to make safe decisions. If someone appears visibly intoxicated, they cannot be served any additional alcohol. This is done to protect the patron, as being overly intoxicated can lead to illness, impaired judgement, or even death. This rule also prevents establishments from being liable if something happens to that patron as a result of their intoxication, like an accident or other harm. Generally, it is a good idea to be aware of the Liquor Liability Law in Washington. That way, everyone can make sure that patrons are kept safe and don’t over-consume alcohol. This is especially important for bartenders and servers who must take responsibility when serving alcohol.

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Is it illegal to serve an intoxicated patron?

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