Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Just Two More? Here's What You Need To Know
Over the last 30 years, I've worked to hold reckless bars accountable for over-serving alcohol. My experience handling hundreds of cases has opened my eyes to just how many bars consistently fail to follow alcohol service regulations. While people might see or hear about a drunk driving accident from time to time, they don't tend to hear about the role that irresponsible bars play in those accidents. Since most people don't do what I do for a living, I make an effort to share my insights in hopes of calling more attention to this issue. One way I do this is by periodically reviewing Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission complaint records and reporting my findings here on my website. If you think you may have a dram shop (liquor liability) claim and have questions about how to proceed, please call me at (855) 326-0000.
Just Two More is a bar located in Pasadena, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted a substantial amount of attention from the TABC due to a number of complaints alleging liquor law violations. Between 2015 and 2019, authorities conducted no fewer than seven investigations into alcohol service practices at Just Two More.
In my experience, it's uncommon for a bar without a history of run-ins with the TABC to end up on the hook for contributing to a wrongful death or injury. Virtually every bar I have ever sued was already on the authorities' radar. That's why I pay close attention to bars with several recent complaints against them. The more investigations a bar has had, the greater my concern is that it could one day contribute to an accident.
Note: Investigations are not proof of wrongdoing. However, if authorities investigate and fail to find evidence of a violation, it doesn't necessarily mean an establishment is innocent, either. The purpose of this article is simply to relay publicly-available information about incidents where the TABC has investigated Just Two More for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Just Two More Between 2015 and 2019
Pasadena - 5002 Spencer Hwy Suite B
Allegations:
On 05/04/2015, the TABC received a citizen complaint, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person.
Authorities followed up soon after with an investigation. For most liquor law violations, the TABC requires either video footage of the incident or eyewitness testimony from one of its agents in order to take action. In this particular instance, authorities had neither. As a result, the case came to a close on 06/28/2015.
A member of the Pasadena community reached out to the TABC on 09/15/2015, alleging that staff was drinking on the job and that the bar permitted the possession of drugs on the premises. The first allegation is more serious than it might appear on the surface. Staff has a legal obligation to stop serving alcohol to customers who exhibit signs of being dangerously intoxicated. If staff itself is drinking, its ability to determine when to stop serving is impaired.
TABC agents looked into the matter, but failed to turn up any hard evidence of a violation. As a result, the case came to a close on 11/08/2015.
The next citizen complaint came on 03/092016, charging the bar with allowing staff to possess or sell drugs on the premises. It additionally claimed that staff was drinking on the job and allowed patrons to drink alcohol after prohibited hours.
After nearly two months of investigation, authorities were unable to find proof of any wrongdoing. Consequently, they chose to close the case without further action on 05/06/2016.
A citizen complaint, filed on 05/13/2016, claimed that the bar sold alcohol to a minor, an intoxicated patron, and allowed the possession of drugs on the premises.
Upon investigating, authorities found sufficient evidence to prove the allegation that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated patron. After issuing the bar a notice of an administrative violation, authorities closed the case without handing down any penalty on 05/30/2016.
Yet another citizen complaint, placed on 08/08/2016, accused the bar of selling alcohol during prohibited hours and allowing staff to sell or possess drugs on the premises.
The TABC launched an inquiry into the allegations, but after over two months of work on the case, investigators could not find any evidence capable of holding up in court. On 10/15/2016, authorities wrapped up their work on the case without any further action.
On 12/27/2018, a citizen complaint alleged that the bar sold alcohol to an underage patron, an intoxicated person, and allowed gambling on the premises.
Authorities investigated, but due to a lack of video evidence, they could not determine the validity of the claims. With no other course of action available, they chose to end their work on the case on 03/22/2019.
The TABC came back to investigate once again on 05/01/2019 after receiving a complaint that the bar sold alcohol during prohibited hours.
As in most of the previous investigations, TABC agents had no access to video evidence to corroborate the allegation. Unable to take any further action, they subsequently ended their investigation on 06/02/2019.
Texas Law Says Accident Victims Can Sue Bad Bars
If you would like to learn more about Texas dram shop law (i.e. lawsuits against bars who play a role in injurious or fatal accidents), please visit our Texas Dram Shop Law Info Page.
