Underage Possession of Alcohol Attorney in Monmouth County

Holmdel NJ Underage Drinking Attorneys

With the PNC Bank Arts Center, DJAIS, Bar Anticipation, Watermark, Porta, Johnny Mac’s, Osprey and the Parker House all being located in Monmouth County, it should be no secret that underage drinking is one of the most common offenses charged in the county during the months of May through September. There is a huge misconception going on that underage drinking charges are no big deal. Whether you have been charged with underage drinking or underage possession of alcohol, the penalties if convicted could be devastating. Most individuals charged with this offense are either just about to start their college career or just about to enter the workforce, having a criminal conviction on their record could play havoc on both. Underage drinking is governed by NJSA 2C:33-15 and it is a disorderly persons offense, which is New Jersey’s version of a misdemeanor. If you have been charged with underage drinking in Monmouth County, it is crucial that you speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer about your options as soon as possible.

Need Local Underage Drinking Attorney in Monmouth County

The attorneys at the Keith Oliver Criminal Law have been representing individuals charged with not only underage drinking but possession of marijuana under 50 gramssimple assaultdisorderly conduct, trespassing, possession of cocaine, burglary and resisting arrest in courts throughout Monmouth County for years now. Both Mr. Oliver and Mr. Proetta have dedicated their entire careers to defending those accused of crimes in courts throughout New Jersey, including Monmouth County. Our attorneys routinely appear in courts like the Holmdel Municipal Court, the Belmar Municipal Court, the Asbury Park Municipal Court, the Long Branch Municipal Court, the Manasquan Municipal Court, the Red Bank Municipal Court, and the Sea Girt Municipal Court and defend clients accused of underage drinking and possession of a fake id. Our office is located just a few miles away from the PNC Bank Arts Center, if you would like to come into our office and speak to one of our attorneys about your options, then please contact us at (732)858-6959. As always, our initial consultations are free of cost. These are serious charges that could have a drastic impact on your future, please do not take them lightly.

Underage Drinking Charges in Belmar NJ?

As stated earlier, the governing statute in New Jersey for underage drinking is N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15. Although this statute is normally referred to as the “underage drinking offense”, it also covers underage possession of alcohol as well. As one would expect, the statute is rather straightforward. It in essence punishes anyone who is under the age of 21 that is caught purchasing, possessing and/or consuming alcohol at any school, public conveyance, public place, place of public assembly or a motor vehicle. One of the biggest misconceptions about this offense is what the required proof is in order to obtain a conviction. For starters, a breathalyzer is not required nor is intoxication. Therefore, an officer can get on the stand and testify as to a Defendant’s bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, the odor of alcohol or and any physical observations with regards to the actual possession of the alcohol. With that being said, there are plenty of other angles to attack when defending these types of charges. If you would like to speak to one of our Holmdel underage drinking defense lawyers then please contact us at (732)858-6959. Now here is some more information on what the potential penalties are for anyone who is convicted of this offense in New Jersey.

What is the Sentence for Underage Drinking at PNC?

Will I go to Jail for Underage Drinking in NJ?

Underage drinking is a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey. Anyone convicted of a disorderly persons offense will face the following penalties:

  • Up to six months in the Monmouth County Jail;
  • Up to a $1,000 fine;
  • A criminal record;
  • Probation;
  • Community service;
  • A court-ordered alcohol awareness classes;
  • A six months loss of driving privileges or one’s ability to obtain a license for six months.

Can I avoid a Criminal Record?

With all that being said,  if the state proofs are strong, sometimes these charges can be amended to a borough ordinance. The benefit of an amendment to a borough ordinance is that it is the Defendant will only be issued a fine and will not have a criminal record as a result. In addition, New Jersey has also created a diversionary program known as the conditional dismissal program. If a Defendant is accepted into the conditional dismissal program and they successfully complete it, the underlying charges will be outright dismissed. For more information on this program please contact our office at (732)858-6959.

Manasquan NJ Underage Drinking Lawyer

If you were a loved one has been charged with underage drinking, possession of a fake ID, resisting arrestaggravated assaultpossession of cocaine, or possession of MDMA in Monmouth County, we can help. Our attorneys have been representing clients charged with various criminal offenses in courts throughout Monmouth County for almost a decade now. If you would like to come into our Middletown office and speak to one of our Monmouth County criminal defense lawyers about your options, then please contact us at (732)858-6959. Our office is located at 18 Kings Highway, Suite 109 in Middletown. This is about 3 miles away from the Holmdel Municipal Court. We serve all of Monmouth County including Holmdel, Hazlet, Red Bank, Sea Bright, Freehold, Manalapan, Matawan, Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Oceanport and Ocean Township.