Drunken Behavior in New Jersey

An evening of drunken behavior can result in a number of serious charges. Intoxicated individuals tend to have fewer inhibitions and they are prone to make mistakes they never would have made while sober. A few hours of partying or drinking could result in charges that could affect your future. It is important to understand the laws relating to drinking in public in New Jersey.

The most common criminal charge that may result from an evening of drinking is disorderly conduct. According to New Jersey Statute 2C:33-2: "A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he…engages in fighting or threatening behavior or creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition or he addresses unreasonably loud and offensively coarse or abusive language."

Disorderly conduct can technically result from something as serious as getting in a fight to something as innocuous as swearing in public. What is considered improper behavior is often at the discretion of the arresting officer, which means there is a large margin of error.

Other potential alcohol-related charges in New Jersey include bringing alcohol onto a school property (2C:33-16), allowing a minor to possess alcohol (2C:33-17) and loitering (2C:33-2.1). Many of these charges are disorderly persons offenses, but if the authorities choose to charge the defendant with multiple charges at once, the resulting penalties can add up fast.

The experienced criminal defense lawyers of the Ibrahim Law Group fight to protect the rights of our clients. We make sure that any criminal charges you face do not end up having a negative impact on your personal and professional life. If you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey, please contact us at 201-781-7800 to discuss your case.

Please contact the Ibrahim Law Group to arrange for a consultation at 201-781-7800.