Madison Underage Drinking Lawyers

Underage Alcohol Possession and Consuption Attorneys in Morris County, New Jersey

An underage drinking arrest can wreak havoc on a young person’s future. If your child has been charged with underage possession or consumption of alcohol in Morris County or elsewhere in New Jersey, they need an experienced defense attorney to fight for them and ensure the best possible result. The Tormey Law Firm is an experienced team of criminal and DWI defense lawyers who have successfully defended numerous clients charged with a vast array of serious criminal offenses, including drunk driving (DWI), criminal mischief, simple assault, and disorderly conduct in Roxbury, Denville, Parsippany, Dover, Morristown, and throughout Morris County.

Our founding partner, Travis J. Tormey, has successfully handled thousands of criminal cases in New Jersey. Prior to founding the Tormey Law Firm, Mr. Tormey worked at the United States Attorney’s Office. He also has experience working for two of the largest and most well-known criminal defense firms in the state. Mr. Tormey focuses his practice entirely on criminal defense and drunk driving, which has enabled him to hone his craft in these specific areas of law. In fact, he has been cited as a legal resource by several New Jersey newspapers, including the Daily Record and the Asbury Park Press, as well as AOL News.

With offices in Morristown, the skilled criminal defense lawyers from the Tormey Law Firm appear in courts throughout Morris County every day. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (908) 336-5008, or use the online contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Underage Drinking in New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15

The New Jersey statute which governs a criminal offense for underage possession or consumption of alcohol is N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15. This statute provides, in pertinent part:

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 Alcohol Possession and Consumption Penalties in NJ

Underage possession or consumption of alcohol in New Jersey is a disorderly persons criminal offense. If convicted, a person faces severe penalties, including:

• Fine: Up to $1,000 ($500 minimum)
• Jail: Up to six (6) months in the county jail
• License Suspension: Six (6) months if the offense was committed in a motor vehicle
• Criminal Record: Permanent Criminal Record

Contact a Morristown Underage Drinking Lawyer for a Free Consultation

As you can see, the penalties for underage drinking in New Jersey are harsh. It is imperative that a young person do everything possible to avoid a permanent criminal charge on their record. If convicted, this offense will show up on a background check for the rest of a person’s life, which can affect future employment and educational opportunities. If your child has been charged with underage drinking in Morris County or elsewhere in New Jersey, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows how to combat these charges. Contact the Morristown offices of The Tormey Law Firm anytime at (908) 336-5008 to discuss your case and receive a cost-free consultation.