Laws about parties.?

Question

what kind of laws are there in California about parties. for example i'm 18 and if i went to a party somewhere with alcohol and drugs, how much trouble would i get in if the cops were to show up. i heard there was a law something like if the party is on private property the cops cant go on your property, is this true. any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Of course the cops can go on your property-- cops exist to keep us safe.  If they feel there's something unsafe (or illegal, or both) going on, they have every legal right to go onto your property.

Answer 2

concerning private property cops can't do $h!+ without a warrant.  But if they show up at your door and see some pre-teen DA drinking the bong water, it gives him reasonable cause to enter your home and arrest anyone.

Answer 3

I'm not sure about California, but I know the PA laws.  They are probably similar.  If you've been drinking and doing drugs, you could be charged with an underage drinking and possession of whatever drugs you have on your person.  If you haven't been drinking or doing drugs, you can still get in trouble because you are able to easily access the drugs.  Meaning you can still get an underage drinking citation when you haven't drank at all. However, in my area, police officers tend to be lenient.  If you are honest and submit to a Breathalyzer, they might let you go without giving you any trouble.  

The cops can show up at your house if they have reason to (for instance, if they get a noise complaint), however they cannot search your house unless they have a warrant, get permission from the someone in the house, or they have "probable cause." For example, if they can see something illegal in plain view, they can automatically search the house, without your permission.

Finally, to answer your question, the worst that could happen is everyone gets underage drinking citations, drug charges and possibly other small charges such as disorderly conduct.  If there are people who are older than 18 and people who are younger than 18, the older people may get some sort of "corruption of minors" charge.  If anyone tries to run, they can charge you with that too.  Whoever provided the alcohol can probably get a pretty hefty fine as well.  If the cops show up just be cooperative, but don't submit to any searches without a warrant or unless they have probable cause.