Seaside Heights NJ Underage Drinking Attorney

Charged With Underage Drinking in Seaside Heights New Jersey

The Borough of Seaside Heights is a destination that is popular with high school and college students interested in consuming alcohol and nightlife. This is especially true during the summer and prom season when the population in the town mushrooms from 2,887 residents to as many as 60,000. Many of these fun seekers are individuals under legal drinking age of 21 years old. This group often runs into mishaps with underage drinking resulting in hundreds of offenses in the Municipal Court of Seaside Heights every spring and summer. If you were charged with underage drinking, possession of a fake id or another offense, you should contact our Ocean County firm. We are a team of highly experience criminal lawyers that include several former prosecutors who have served in as many as 20 municipalities in the county. The attorneys at Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have also been representing underage defendants in this town for decades with success. If you would like to explore what an attorney at our firm can do for you to avoid a record and other penalties of an underage drinking offense in Seaside Heights, contact our Toms River Office. A lawyer is available 24/7 to assist you at 732-286-6500.

Underage Drinking Offense in Seaside Heights

When someone under 21 is charged drinking underage, including possession or attempting to purchase alcohol, the Seaside Heights Police Department typically files one of three charges. The majority of the summonses/tickets are filed under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15 (“Possession, consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under legal age”). If someone under 21 is in knowing possession of alcohol, they are exposed to this criminal offense. The same is true for someone consuming alcohol or being under the influence of alcohol when they are underage. A conviction for violating 2C:33-15 results in a criminal record, fine of $500-$1,000, the possibility of a court ordered treatment or education program, and up to 6 months in jail. If underage drinking occurred in an automobile, a 6 month driver’s license also applies.

The second criminal offense that is filed frequently is N.J.S.A. 33:1-81 (“Misrepresenting age to induce sale or delivery to a minor”). This charge prohibits someone misrepresenting their age in order to: (1) obtain entry to a bar, club or other venue where alcoholic beverages are served; or (2) induce a retailer to distribute, sell or serve alcohol. A conviction under 33:1-81 is a disorderly persons offense that results in a fine of $500-$1,000 and a maximum jail sentence of 6 months. Individuals that plead or are found guilty of this offense will also have a criminal record and face a six month driver’s license suspension.

The third charge that can arise in Seaside Heights for underage drinking is N.J.S.A. 2C:21-2.1. This offense is encountered less frequently, however, since its focus is on use or possession of a fake Id and does not apply when the unlawful conduct was for the purpose of obtaining alcohol by someone under legal drinking age.

Ordinance Violation for Underage Drinking. Seaside Heights has adopted two separate ordinances to address underage drinking and alcohol possession. The first ordinance is 17-37 and prohibits underage consumption of alcoholic beverages on private property. The second ordinance is contained at 17-17 and targets underage consumption and possession in a public place or motor vehicle. Unfortunately, it is not the norm for the police to sign a complaint based on either of these ordinances but rather one or more of the criminal charges previously set forth. Nonetheless, our attorney have an extensive track record of securing downgrades to an ordinance in these matters so our clients avoid a criminal record and other penalties.

Underage Drinking Defense Lawyer in Seaside Heights

The attorneys at our firm receive many calls from individuals charged with underage drinking who are trying to resolve the offense without the knowledge of their parent. Another common approach is to view the charge lightly only to discover the long term consequences of the conviction when it is too late. Do not fall into these traps and call a lawyer at Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. We will provide a comprehensive review of your case and give you the benefit of our input. An attorney is available immediately to help you at 732-286-6500.

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