Seaside Heights

Located on the Barnegat Peninsula in Ocean County, New Jersey, Seaside Heights attracts as many as 65,000 visitors during beach season between March and October. Many TV audiences recognize it as the site of the MTV show Jersey Shore. Its vibrant entertainment scene includes many bars and restaurants, as well as a boardwalk area, and it is particularly attractive to young people. Unfortunately, however, incidents may occur that give rise to criminal charges, and in these situations the assistance of an attorney may prove crucial. Seaside Heights criminal defense lawyer Tara Breslow regularly appears in Municipal Court and the Superior Court, and she is familiar with local prosecutors and judges. Her office is located across the street from the Municipal Court and police station, and it is only a short drive from the Superior Court of Ocean County in Toms River. She is committed to providing vigorous representation for her clients, while taking the time to answer their questions and compassionately guide them through the legal process. If you need a drug crimes attorney or representation in a DUI or assault case, Tara Breslow is ready to assist you. She also can protect your rights if you are facing prosecution for a juvenile offense, shoplifting or another theft crime, a sex offense, a white collar crime, or any other type of charge.

Under New Jersey’s driving under the influence (DUI) law, it is a crime for a person to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08% or more, or while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotics, or habit-producing drugs. A conviction may result in jail time, fines, license suspension, or other penalties. However, there are many potential defenses to contest a DUI charge, which may lead to reduced charges or the dismissal of the case. Common defenses may include a lack of probable cause for the police to have stopped the vehicle or make an arrest, faulty breathalyzer or inaccurate test results, or incorrectly administering field sobriety tests, among others.

In New Jersey, a crime may be charged as a juvenile offense if the defendant is under the age of 18. Examples of common juvenile offenses include underage drinking, drug possession, fighting, shoplifting, and vandalism, among others. Children are usually subject to different penalties than adults who are charged with the same crimes, however. The court may impose adjourned disposition, diversion, jail time in a juvenile correctional facility, community service, fines, probation, or vocational programs. Due to the fact-specific circumstances of each case, a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will be able to provide additional details regarding the legal procedures and available defense strategies to help protect you or your child as much as possible.

New Jersey drug laws cover the possession and distribution of many illegal and controlled substances, and penalties vary depending on the seriousness of the offense. Possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana, for example, is charged as a disorderly persons offense. Penalties upon conviction may include up to six months of jail time, probation, fines, license suspension, or other court-ordered conditions. Typically, first-time offenders are eligible for conditional discharge, which requires them to remain arrest-free for a specified period of time and comply with other orders from the court, such as drug testing. The criminal complaint then would be dismissed upon the completion of the conditional discharge period.

In Seaside Heights and other communities with a lively nightlife scene, clashes at local bars can escalate quickly, leading to criminal charges. Under New Jersey law, an assault is committed if a person purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causes or attempts to cause a bodily injury to someone else. It also may be charged if a person negligently causes a bodily injury with a deadly weapon, or if a person attempts by physical menace to put someone else in fear of an imminent and serious bodily injury.

Aggravated assault encompasses a broad range of activities. A defendant may be charged with aggravated assault depending upon the degree of force used, the nature of the injuries, the alleged victim, and whether or not a weapon was involved. However, there are several defense strategies that may be available to fight an aggravated assault charge, such as acting in self-defense, police misconduct, and witness testimony or other rebuttal evidence in support of the defendant’s innocence.

People facing charges are understandably anxious and uncertain about the potential consequences. If you are being prosecuted for DUI, drug possession, assault, a juvenile offense, or another crime, Seaside Heights criminal defense attorney Tara Breslow is here to carefully investigate the details of your case and protect your rights. She also can represent defendants in communities such as Seaside Park, Lavallette, Berkeley Township, Ortley Beach, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant, Toms River, South Toms River, Bay Head, Forked River, Normandy Beach, Highland Heights, Cedar Beach, Beachwood, Ocean Gate, and Lanoka Harbor, among others. Call (732) 784-2880 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.