Summer tends to be a carefree season where people let loose and have fun. Long days lead to even longer nights, especially when you head down the shore for the weekend. Enjoying yourself at the beach is a great way to spend your summer, but be careful not to let your fun lead to a disorderly persons offense. Arrests are commonplace in beach towns for offenses such as:
- Public intoxication
- Disorderly conduct
- Resisting arrest
- Simple assault
If you or your friends find yourself in this situation, get in touch with a New Jersey disorderly persons attorney immediately.
Common Disorderly Persons Charges at the Beach
Disorderly Conduct
A disorderly conduct offense is one of the most common reasons for arrest in beach towns. As any skilled New Jersey disorderly persons attorney will explain to you, there are two types of disorderly conduct offenses under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2.
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- Improper Behavior. An individual is guilty of this when they engage in behavior that involves fighting, threatening, violence, or tumultuous behavior; or creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition without a legitimate purpose.
- Offensive Language. This is when a person is in a public place and, with the purposes of being offensive, uses unreasonably loud and/or coarse or abusive language.
Such behavior is a petty disorderly persons offense and can result in considerable fines, jail time, and going on your record. This offense cannot be expunged for at least 5 years.
Simple Assault
When too much alcohol is involved, fights sometimes tend to break out. This can lead to a simple assault charge (attempted or intentional bodily injury to another). A guilty plea or conviction will be on your criminal record and will result in up to $1,000 in fines and up to 6 months in prison.
Resisting Arrest
The last thing you want to do if being arrested for any of these or other offenses is to resist the arrest. While you may not be guilty for the original offense you were being arrested for, you may end up being found guilty of resisting arrest.
A disorderly persons resisting arrest charge occurs when a person purposely prevents or attempts to prevent a law enforcement officer from making an arrest.
In Need of a New Jersey Disorderly Persons Attorney?
Don’t let your fun in the sun be tainted by an arrest for a disorderly persons offense. But if you do need representation, contact Mark Catanzaro – the premier disorderly persons attorney in New Jersey. He’s been defending the rights of his clients for over 30 years and can help you, too. Call today.