Walk It Through: The Overdose At The Party
A friend who will not wake, a call for help, the people who supplied the drinks, and the drunk guest on the curb.
At a house party, a guest takes pills from a stranger and stops responding. Others in the room have their own pills and a pipe.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One party. Selling the pills, a death from them, and the host's civil liability are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- InfractionAn offense that is not a crime of any class. Where no other penalty is set, a first offense is a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
- Good faith request for emergency medical assistanceA call for help for an overdose, made as soon as the emergency was apparent. Where the caller stayed and cooperated, neither the caller nor the person overdosing is in violation of the possession or paraphernalia sections.
- Civil protective custodyCustody an officer may use for an intoxicated person who is dangerous or incapacitated, only as long as needed to preserve life or prevent injury, and never longer than twenty-four hours.
- Disturbing the peaceIntentionally disturbing the peace and quiet of any person, family or neighborhood, a Class III misdemeanor.