Having a good time shouldn't mean breaking the law. Most of the time when parties get out of hand it is due to poor planning and bad decision-making. Here are a few tips to keep you and your guests out of trouble.
1) The crowd includes minors.
They'll get an MIP, but if you're 21, you'll get cited for procurement. They may think that your place is a safe place for drinking, but you pay for their crime. Keep minors out.
2) Too many people, too little space.
Word gets out there’s a party — suddenly 200 people show up and the noise along with them! No open invitations. Monitor who attends.
3) The party moves outside.
Now there’s greater potential for noise problems and potential damage to neighborhood yards. Hanging around cars or on the street, especially with alcohol in hand, is an open invitation for enforcement.
4) Toilets become optional.
A common complaint from neighbors is urinating in yards, alleys and everywhere BUT the toilet. Neighbors and LPD officers are NOT impressed when your guests can’t hold it until they get to the bathroom.
5) You charge at the door (or anywhere else).
You can’t charge for alcohol in any way, even when calling it a charge or “donation” for entrance, cups, music, etc.
The Lincoln Police Department conducts special “Wild Party Patrols” throughout the year. Their mission is to respond to neighborhood complaints and return order to parties that are out of control. They also issue citations for any infractions they may find, including Maintaining a Disorderly House, which could warrant a call to your landlord and make renting difficult in the future.
As a registered student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Student Code of Conduct still applies to you, even when you’re not on campus. Lincoln Police report all citations of Maintaining a Disorderly House, Procuring Alcohol for a Minor and Selling Alcohol Without a License to the Student Conduct Office, who may add university sanctions to your legal consequences.