Fake ID Possession Charges at Jersey Shore Dismissed
Possession of a Fake ID or False Identification is a criminal offense in New Jersey. You may be issued a ticket or summons complaint for this type of violation pursuant to the New Jersey Law under N.J.S.A. 33:1-81. If you are facing criminal charges for using a Fake ID or Misrepresentation of Age, you need to take caution to protect yourself. A criminal record for something as silly as using a Fake ID can have permanent repercussions on your education and professional career. In Jersey Shore towns like Belmar, Sea Bright, Asbury Park, Manasquan, Holmdel, Sea Girt, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Beach Haven, Toms River, Long Beach Township, Brigatine and Ocean City, police officers are constantly investigating and searching for these types of violations.
Fake ID Attorney Near Me
If you or your child have been arrested and charged with Possession of a Fake ID, Misrepresentation of Age or Disorderly Conduct in New Jersey, contact William C. Fay, IV, Esq. at (732) 858-5857. We handle criminal and alcoholic beverage offenses along the entire Jersey Shore. With Offices in Monmouth and Ocean County, we are nearby and ready to assist you in your matter. Do not let one momentary lapse in judgement have a lasting effect on you future. Call today for an immediate consultation with Mr. Fay regarding these types of charges and how we can help defend you.
Is Possession of a Fake ID a Criminal Offense in Belmar?
Yes. The only caveat to this is if the officer decides to issue you a ticket for violating a local ordinance and not a criminal statute such as N.J.S.A. 33:1-81(a) or N.J.S.A. 33:1-81(c). However, police officers almost always charge defendants with violating the state statute instead of a local ordinance. When this happens, you are facing a disorderly persons offense that will be prosecuted at the local municipal court by the Municipal Prosecutor. In Belmar, the Municipal Court is located at 601 Main Street and has court sessions twice a month on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. As a disorderly persons offense, a conviction or guilty plea to Possession of a Fake ID, Use of a Fraudulent Identification, Possession of Alcoholic Beverages by a Persons Under the Legal Age (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15) or Misrepresentation of Age creates a criminal record. Not only that, but as a disorderly persons offense, you are subject to fines, probation and even incarceration (though unlikely in most cases).
How to Fight Charges for Using a Fake ID?
Mounting a defense to criminal charges for Possession of a Fake ID or Misrepresentation of Age is always approached on a case-by-case basis. In the dismissal I recently obtained for a client, the alleged violation did not occur in the presence of law enforcement. Instead, the Police Officer’s report indicated that they arrived at the scene after an alleged attempt by my client to use a Fake ID to purchase alcoholic beverages. I knew that the State would need to produce the store clerks should a trial or pretrial motion as to the identification be filed. This was only possible because my client exercise his right to remain silent and did not make any admissions or provide any statements to police. Without any admission and the unreliability of witnesses, we were able obtain a dismissal of the charge.
To find out what defenses or mitigating factors may be available to your case, please call (732) 858-5857.
Local N.J.S.A. 33:1-81 Attorneys
Criminal charges involving possessing a Fake ID, underage consumption of alcohol or possession of alcohol be a person under the legal age, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 33:1-81(a), N.J.S.A. 33:1-81(c) or N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15, must be taken seriously. Teenagers and young adults make mistakes. However, the biggest mistake you can make is not taking these types of criminal offenses seriously. Not only are you facing stiff penalties from the court but you will also receive a criminal record, if found guilty. To avoid these types of repercussions, contact and experienced and local attorney to handle your matter. For more information, call our Monmouth County or Ocean County Office today.
