Insights & News

Avoiding Summer Trouble at the Shore

May 23, 2023
Client Alert

After a long, cold winter, warm weather is finally here, and the official start of the summer season is almost upon us. We are all looking forward to beautiful beach days and nights out at the local shore town venues. However, things do not always go as planned, and serious problems can arise from unexpected events. In addition to our defense of complex white-collar crimes and government investigations, Stradley Ronon attorneys often assist clients’ friends and family members with the unfortunate and unexpected legal trouble that sometimes occurs at nearby shore points – whether it is a DUI on the way home from dinner, disorderly conduct at the local bar, trespassing at a nearby pool or a high school senior week gone wrong. Once the police get involved, legal representation is critical and necessary as these incidents – no matter how small they may appear – can have a significant long-term impact. Stradley Ronon attorneys have the ability to handle any legal problem that your clients and their families and friends might encounter at the various New Jersey shore points.

This summer, Ocean City police can now detain underage people for “breach of the peace” offenses and bring them to the police station for breaking curfew, making excessive noise and engaging in other disruptive behavior. Sea Isle City has also implemented a 10 p.m. curfew for underage people (without parental supervision) from May 15 to Sept. 15, and parents can be fined $250 to $1,500 if they knowingly let their child break curfew. Sea Isle City has also banned adults and children from having bags larger than 8 inches x 6 inches x 8 inches while on the Promenade boardwalk, beaches and beachside streets between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

When issuing citations, law enforcement officers often tell people, “This is no big deal – just go to court and it will get taken care of.” This is not true. Any citation or complaint involving a criminal charge, DUI and/or related traffic offense can carry substantial penalties and have significant collateral consequences. Going to court is a foreign process to many, and walking into court without an attorney can result in an outcome that is not exactly what you thought it was, placing your employment, driving privileges and future in jeopardy.

Stradley Ronon Partner Ashley E. Shapiro has substantial criminal defense experience and first-hand knowledge of the courts in New Jersey. Having grown up at the Jersey Shore, Ashley knows the legal landscape and can immediately assist with any legal troubles that clients, their families and friends find themselves in this summer season and throughout the year. If you or someone you know has the need for such assistance, please contact Ashley for help.

We hope everyone has a terrific summer.

Information contained in this publication should not be construed as legal advice or opinion or as a substitute for the advice of counsel. The articles by these authors may have first appeared in other publications. The content provided is for educational and informational purposes for the use of clients and others who may be interested in the subject matter. We recommend that readers seek specific advice from counsel about particular matters of interest.

Copyright © 2023 Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP. All rights reserved.

Related Resources

back to top