What is the effect of serving alcohol to an intoxicated person?

Serving alcohol to an intoxicated person carries significant legal and ethical implications, which is why the correct answer focuses on the risk of legal penalties and harm. When a person is already intoxicated, further serving them alcohol can lead to an escalation of their impairment, which increases the potential for dangerous situations—such as accidents, fights, or health emergencies.

From a legal perspective, providing alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated may violate local Alcohol Beverage Control laws, which can result in penalties for the server, including fines, loss of license, or even criminal charges in severe cases. Moreover, establishments risk liability if intoxicated patrons engage in harmful behaviors or cause injury to themselves or others.

Addressing customer experience, sales, or reputation, while it may initially seem beneficial to serve intoxicated individuals to keep them in the venue or increase immediate revenue, these aspects can lead to long-term negative consequences and damage to the establishment's reputation if incidents occur as a result. Protecting patrons and adhering to responsible service practices ultimately fosters a safer environment and upholds the integrity of the establishment.