Seaside Heights Disorderly Conduct Attorney

Disorderly Conduct Attorneys in Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Seaside Heights, New Jersey is one of the core communities of the Jersey Shore. It boasts a famous boardwalk, resorts, bars, and restaurants, and the borough often draws crowds of over 65,000 visitors who routinely stay out until early morning hours, partying and otherwise enjoying Seaside Heights’ famous nightlife. In fact, Seaside Heights was listed among the the Best Party Beaches in New Jersey by USA Today.

Unfortunately, this partying often gets out of hand. Some estimate that more disorderly conduct charges arise from incidents in Seaside Heights than from any other community in New Jersey. If you have been charged with disorderly conduct in Seaside Heights, our experienced team of attorneys have handled thousands of cases like yours and we can help. Contact us at (848) 238-2100 for immediate assistance and an absolutely free consultation. An experienced Seaside Heights disorderly conduct defense lawyer at our firm will be happy to provide you with more information.

Disorderly Conduct Offense in Seaside Heights

As one of New Jersey’s most famous Shore and boardwalk towns, Seaside Heights is a party town. The borough sees a spike in drug and alcohol offenses over the summer. Bars stay open until 4 AM. Fights often break out as the late night turns into early morning. The Seaside Heights Police Department thoroughly patrols the areas of the borough around bars and restaurants, particularly on high-traffic weekends and late at night, looking for individuals causing a scene, urinating on the street, getting into brawls, and otherwise causing disturbances. Police also patrol music venues, the casino pier and breakwater beach, and, of course, the boardwalk, on the lookout for those who are out of control and violating New Jersey laws or local ordinances.

Facing Disorderly Conduct Charges in Seaside Heights NJ

Disorderly conduct can be charged in one of two ways, either under New Jersey’s criminal code or as a municipal ordinance violation. First and foremost, you can be charged with disorderly conduct under NJSA 2C:33-2 for allegedly causing trouble in Seaside Heights. This statute indicates that you can be convicted of a petty disorderly persons offense if you cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, engage in fighting or other violent behavior, create a hazard or dangerous condition for no legitimate purpose, or use offensive language in a public place.

This terminology can be confusing, so allow us to explain. Petty disorderly persons offense” is the category of offense at issue, similar to an infraction or other minor violation in states outside of New Jersey; whereas “disorderly conduct” is the name specific charge that a municipal prosecutor may bring against you. “Public place” means any place to which a substantial group of people have access.

Alternatively, you may be given a municipal ordinance violation for behavior that can be considered disorderly conduct. Seaside Heights municipal code sections §154-1 through 154-11 prohibit public nuisances that include loitering on or sleeping in the street, making excessive noise, damaging property, using loud, offensive, or indecent language, causing disturbances through violence, soliciting or distributing materials in a disruptive way, and otherwise causing problems for other shore-goers.

What are the Punishments for Disorderly Conduct in Seaside Heights?

The penalties associated with a disorderly conduct conviction can vary based on whether you were charged with a municipal ordinance violation or a petty disorderly persons offense, as discussed above. If you are charged with a petty disorderly persons offense, you may be facing potentially 3 months in jail, up to $500 in fines, other penalties and assessments, community service, and a disorderly conduct conviction on your permanent record that employers may be able to see when you apply for a job.

If you are issued a municipal ordinance violation, you may be forced to pay up to fines, face days in prison, and/or community service. However, ordinances are relatively minor offenses compared with the criminal charge for disorderly conduct and can often lead to payment of a simple fine. Getting a criminal charge for disorderly conduct downgraded to a municipal ordinance can also help you maintain a clean criminal record.

Consult a Seaside Heights Disorderly Conduct Lawyer Today

Given the serious nature of the serious consequences for disorderly conduct, you should talk to an experienced criminal defense lawyer who handles disorderly conduct cases in the Seaside Heights Municipal Court if you are charged with this offense in Seaside Heights. Call us today at (848) 238-2100 to discuss your options with an attorney and find out how we can help with your case.