Slightly confused on this. Not being familiar whatsoever with corporate law, it doesn't seem possible to charge a "tavern" with a criminal offense without having the owner and/or employees charged. How did the "tavern" make "it's" appearance to waive "it's" preliminary hearing? If found guilty, who will pay the big fine they are after? I assume it would come from insurance which would pay civil damages resulting from a lawsuit. Might this be a way for a county to in effect "sue" a corporation and have the payment (fine) go to the county for it's use? Not saying this is right or wrong, don't have enough information to do that, but is this just a way to increase revenue for Dauphin county?

This is so unfortunate. It seems that youngsters need to be reminded of the level of responsibility they go to the bar and consume alchol. The bottom line is that bartenders are NOT babysitters. It is not their job to dictate how much a customer consumes.

You are incorrect. It's not a matter of babysitting. Bartenders in PA MUST be certified under state law and it addresses the fact of serving someone that is clearly intoxicated. Under no circumstances should a bouncer place anyone into the drivers seat of a car who has just been asked to leave the place because they were "too" drunk. That is negligence on the bar's behalf. Secondly, they use the term "tavern" since it is an LLC, which protects the owners and employees from actually being held responsible, only the company.....which is why it is under corperate law. The fine will come from the bar's bank account not the insurance company.

Well it news to me that a bartender has to be "certified"...??? by who,??? and where does one get this cetification...?? I no a few bartenders and they are working in Pa. without certifications.... just bar tenders...Tavern ownership is a tough business... you sell booze.... and without selling a lot of it you dont make much money... its your business is to sell booze... and by doing so,...people are getting drunk... then you can be busted for letting them get drunk... I dont agree with putting drunk people behind the wheel... but sometimes you dont know how drunk that person is....

Fining the bar might hurt that ba...r but the catch 22 of serving booze for a living... but not letting peole drink to much will still go on.... Like I said.... i wouldnt want to be in that business again...it is tough.... But the bar will have insurance for this.... I'm pretty sure of that....