Camden NJ Underage Drinking Lawyer
Juvenile Defense Attorney with Offices in Collingswood, New Jersey
When it comes to juveniles in New Jersey, the criminal justice system tends to be geared more towards rehabilitation and teaching a lesson rather than punishing the offenders. Many times these offenders are dealing with a difficult period in their life in regards to their family or school and they end up straying off and making misguided decisions. The court system recognizes this and tries to give juveniles a second chance and get them back on the right path in life. If your son or daughter has been charged with a crime, however, you should still not take the situation lightly. It is crucial that you contact a knowledgeable and skilled attorney who has experience dealing with these situations.
The criminal defense team at the the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison defends juveniles charged with offenses such as Underage DWI, Criminal Mischief and marijuana possession in Camden County including Gloucester, Pennsauken, and Cherry Hill. With around 40 years of combined experience, our defense attorneys know what it takes to help get you the most desirable result in your case. In fact, one of the members of our criminal defense team is a former county prosecutor in New Jersey who used to work on various charges for the State. This means we can predict what kinds of arguments the prosecution will make and use this knowledge to defend your case. The Law Offices of Leonard Biddison are available anytime for a free initial consultation to speak with you about your case. Call us today at 877-450-8301.
Underage Drinking in New Jersey
The law for underage possession and consumption of alcohol is covered under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15 which provides:
a. Any person under the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages who knowingly possesses without legal authority or who knowingly consumes any alcoholic beverage in any school, public conveyance, public place, or place of public assembly, or motor vehicle, is guilty of a disorderly persons offense, and shall be fined not less than $500.00.
b. Whenever this offense is committed in a motor vehicle, the court shall, in addition to the sentence authorized for the offense, suspend or postpone for six months the driving privilege of the defendant. Upon the conviction of any person under this section, the court shall forward a report to the Division of Motor Vehicles stating the first and last day of the suspension or postponement period imposed by the court pursuant to this section. If a person at the time of the imposition of a sentence is less than 17 years of age, the period of license postponement, including a suspension or postponement of the privilege of operating a motorized bicycle, shall commence on the day the sentence is imposed and shall run for a period of six months after the person reaches the age of 17 years.
Underage Drinking Penalties in New Jersey
The penalties for underage drinking can have a significant impact on a juveniles life. Underage drinking is a disorderly persons offense with enhanced penalties if it committed in a motor vehicle. The penalties are as follows
- 6 months in county jail
- Fines of $500 to $1,000
If committed in a motor vehicle:
- 6 months in county jail
- Fines of $500 to $1,000
- License suspended for 6 months
Note: If the juvenile is under 17 years old, driving privileges will be suspended for 6 months after he or she turns 17.
Contact a Cherry Hill NJ Underage Drinking Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison are always available to speak with you about your case and begin to formulate an aggressive strategy to defend you against your underage drinking charges. Our criminal defense team understands the details of juvenile law in New Jersey and we will use this knowledge to help you best defend against these charges. Call us today at 877-450-8301 for a free initial consultation about your case.
