Liquor License Violations Defense in Pennsylvania
Veteran bar owners and restaurateurs understand the importance of a liquor license both as a source of cash flow and as a significant portion of the asset value of the business. If your establishment has been cited for a liquor license violation, or if you need advice about the right mix of remedial measures to keep an isolated problem under control, contact Scaringi & Scaringi, P.C., in Harrisburg or Newport.
Call 717-798-3601 (Harrisburg) or 717-567-0380 (Newport) for a Free Consultation
Our violations defense practice combines in-depth Pennsylvania liquor law experience with outstanding advocacy skills in civil litigation and adversarial administrative hearings. You'll be working with Frank C. Sluzis, who formerly headed the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) Nuisance Bar Unit.
As a prosecutor for the PLCB, Attorney Sluzis investigated and proved violations against the bars and restaurants with the most serious compliance issues. His insights into the investigation and enforcement process, together with his experience with the negotiated resolution of contested charges, can help your business protect its liquor license on the most favorable terms available. It pays to have the former PLCB prosecutor on your side defending against enforcement actions.
Generally speaking, our goal in liquor license violation cases is to resolve the problem as quickly and completely as possible at the earliest possible point, most often through proposing a package of "timely, substantial remedial measures" calculated to stop further enforcement action while meeting the PLCB's objectives.
In some cases, however, particularly where violations are overcharged or where the facts of the case will support a vigorous defense on the merits, our lawyers will concentrate on defeating the charges rather than compromising them.
We Guide Our Clients Through Hard Choices in Liquor License Enforcement
Ultimately, however, it's up to the client to choose between legal strategies in the face of liquor license violation charges. It's our job as counselors to give you the information and advice you need to choose wisely, and our role as advocates to protect your interests to the best of our ability.
We represent restaurant and bar owners on such liquor license violations as:
- Underage drinking on the premises
- Liquor store sales to minors
- Improper ID checking practices
- Club license violations through service to nonmembers
- Capacity violations
- After-hours service
- Nuisance complaints related to fights, assaults, gambling, lewd conduct or other patron misbehavior
- Inventory and records violations
- Noncompliance with previous sanctions or remedial commitments
The best way to deal with liquor license violations is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Our law firm has trained many bar and restaurant staffs in the PLCB's Responsible Alcohol Management (RAMP) guidelines, which were first developed by Attorney Frank Sluzis when he worked as a PLCB staff attorney.
To learn more about our experience with the defense of violations charges in Pennsylvania liquor licensing, discuss your situation with an attorney at Scaringi & Scaringi, P.C., in Harrisburg or Newport.
