As Fourth of July festivities approached during the height of COVID-19 restrictions, San Diego criminal defense attorney Marc S. Kohnen shared critical insights with NBC 7 regarding the potential consequences of violating public health orders.
With restrictions prohibiting gatherings outside one’s household, even backyard barbecues were considered violations under San Diego County’s health codes. Attorney Kohnen explained that noncompliance carried real risks, both legally and socially.
Marc Kohnen emphasized that violating COVID-19 gathering restrictions could result in:
These penalties applied even to gatherings on private property if violations were clear and visible to law enforcement. Kohnen underscored that law enforcement was obligated to enforce these health codes, with heightened attention during holiday weekends like the Fourth of July.
Attorney Kohnen also highlighted an important, less-considered issue: potential civil liability for those hosting gatherings. Similar to “social host liability” cases where parents are held accountable for underage drinking at house parties, hosts of gatherings during the pandemic could theoretically face lawsuits if attendees contracted COVID-19 as a result.
“Theoretically, you could [sue under social host theory],” Kohnen noted, adding that these cases hadn’t yet been widely litigated but remained a plausible outcome under such circumstances.
While Kohnen stressed the importance of following public health guidelines, he also clarified legal boundaries:
This balance between individual rights and collective responsibility was at the heart of Kohnen’s message during the NBC 7 interview.
The pandemic forced people to reconsider traditional celebrations, including cherished holidays like the Fourth of July. Attorney Kohnen urged San Diegans to prioritize safety over the temporary loss of social gatherings:
“The temporary loss of being able to gather with others is not worth the harm it could cause.”
Marc S. Kohnen’s expertise shines during times of legal uncertainty, offering guidance to help individuals navigate complex issues like pandemic-related restrictions. For more legal advice or representation, contact Marc S. Kohnen today.
