Our Team of Criminal Defense Lawyers Includes Former Monmouth County Prosecutors, Even One Who Previously Served in Belmar
Charged With A Criminal Offense in Belmar NJ?
Belmar is an extremely popular beach community located in Monmouth County. Like many shore towns, Belmar experiences a significant influx of tourists and seasonal rentals during the beach season. While incidents involving issuance of criminal or traffic summonses, including DWI, occur throughout the year in Belmar, there is a spike in the volume of charges in the summer months. The same is true in Lake Como, which is a separate adjoining municipality, that is also the responsibility of Belmar Police Department in terms of law enforcement.
If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a criminal complaint or traffic summons in Belmar, lawyers at our law firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are available to assist you. Our staff of criminal defense attorneys includes former prosecutors in several area municipalities, including one who has even sat in Belmar. All of lawyers on our team are also highly experienced in handling criminal cases, DWI and serious traffic violations in Belmar. We realize that no one wants to experience the negative impact of a criminal conviction or motor vehicle violation, so every criminal defense lawyer at our firm is committed to making sure that this does not occur. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have a case pending in Belmar as initial consultations with our law firm always without charge. Call 855-450-8310 to speak to one of our experienced Belmar criminal defense lawyers immediately.
Belmar Municipal Court
The Belmar Municipal Court is located at 601 Main Street, Belmar, New Jersey 07719. The telephone and fax number for the court is 848-220-9620 and (732) 681-4728, respectively. The Court Administrator is Patricia White, CMCA. The Judge is the Honorable Dennis Lavender, J.M.C. Additional information concerning the court can be found on the Belmar Municipal Court webpage.
The Belmar Municipal Court presides over criminal offenses falling under the category of disorderly persons offenses. While these criminal charges are misdemeanor in nature, they nevertheless carry significant consequences including the possibility of up to six (6)months in jail. The disorderly persons criminal offenses which we typically encounter in Belmar are Simple Assault, Fighting, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Mischief, and Shoplifting. Please feel free to consult our individual practice pages for additional information concerning a particular criminal offense. The Municipal Court of Belmar also has jurisdiction to decide traffic offenses such as DWI, Refusal, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene, Driving While Suspended or Revoked, and Driving without Insurance or While Uninsured. The following is a brief discussion of some of the more common disorderly persons offenses (a.k.a. misdemeanor criminal charges) heard in Belmar:
Belmar Disorderly Conduct Charge
It is common for an alcohol related encounter with police in Belmar to result in issuance of a summons for disorderly conduct under N.J.S. 2C:33-2. This statute renders it a criminal offense for an individual to engage in overly offensive language in public or to engage in conduct that is likely to cause public disorder. Behavior of this nature falls within the definition of disorderly conduct and gives rise to a conviction and criminal record. Our lawyers are overwhelmingly successful in having this charge dismissed and/or downgraded to a municipal ordinance charge in Belmar and this results in the elimination of a criminal record.
Belmar Possession of Drugs & Marijuana Charges
Non-indictable drug possession charges are heard in Belmar Municipal Court. These charges typically involve marijuana possession but can also deal with other drugs and drug paraphernalia including possession of a pipe or small quantities of prescription drugs. The drug possession law is N.J.S. 2C:35-10 and the drug paraphernalia possession statute is N.J.S. 2C:36-1. A conviction in Belmar for either possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia carries mandatory fines and assessments, as well as a six (6) month license suspension and possible probation, including random drug testing. Every criminal attorney at our office is well versed in drug offenses and this typically translates into our clients avoiding, at an absolute minimum, the license suspension for a conviction for possessing drugs or paraphernalia in Belmar.
Belmar Simple Assault Charge
Fighting and physical altercations are not uncommon in Belmar, particularly, given the large number of party goers within the Borough at any given time. When this occurs, the Belmar Police Department usually issues a Simple Assault summons and/or someone is arrested for allegedly violating N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1a. Although a simple assault charge is a disorderly persons offense, it nevertheless carries up to six (6) month of jail. It is always advised that an individual charged with simple assault in Belmar to retain a knowledgeable defense lawyer.
Belmar Resisting Arrest Charge
Any action to hinder or resist an arrest can often give rise to issuance of a summons under N.J.S. 2C:29-2. We find this offense to be invariably whenever a defendant claims that he was somehow injured during the course of an arrest. Resisting arrest is a serious offense and our attorneys are happy to assist you in addressing your Belmar charge.
Belmar Drinking Underage
With all the social attractions in Belmar, there are a high number of drinking underage summonses issued under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15. What people often fail to realize is that a conviction for drinking underage results in a criminal record and can also result in a six month drivers license suspension. It is therefore very important that a defense lawyer be retained for a drinking underage ticket.
Belmar Fake ID Charges
Popular college and young adult bars like Bar Anticipation, D’Jais, The Boathouse, Anchor Tavern, McCanns, and Salty’s Beach Bar, are located in Belmar and Lake Como. Not surprisingly, these establishments consistently attract underage boys and girls who attempt to gain entry using forged and counterfeit driver’s licenses. These efforts are so prevalent that the larger venues actually have on duty police offices on site to check for fake IDs at the door. They are adapt in identifying when a driver’s license is a fake and uniformly issue fake ID charges, along with interference with business ordinance violations, summonses to the underage person attempting to gain entry.
Belmar Criminal Trespass
The last disorderly persons offense that frequently arises in Belmar and its municipal court is criminal trespass. It might not initially make sense that the town would have so many complaints involving trespass but we can explain why this is the case. Every time a patron is rejected at the door (e.g. they actually are of age but do not have two forms of ID), is escorted from the bar by security, or leave after re-entry time has elapsed, they theoretically become unauthorized to remain on the property of the establishment and certainly cannot attempt to sneak back into the actual bar. When individuals fail to adhere to this concept, the Belmar police are quick to issue a trespass offense, as well as the common companion offense of interference with business.
The criminal lawyers at our law firm are available immediately to discuss any offense you may be facing in Belmar in more detail. We also encourage you to consult our Belmar practice pages set forth in the table of contents for a more detailed discussion of many Belmar criminal charges.
Directions to Belmar Municipal Court
From the Garden State Parkway: proceed off Exit 98 and follow signs for State Highway 138 East. Follow signs for Belmar Business District which will lead you to Main Street. Make a left on Main Street and the Courthouse is located on the left side of the road at 601 Main Street. From State Highway 35S: Follow the signs for Belmar as you proceed over the Route 35 Bridge. At the bottom of the bridge, make your first left. At the first light, make a left – this is Main Street. The Belmar Municipal Court is located on the left side of the roadway at 601 Main Street.
Belmar Criminal Lawyers On Our Team Are Ready To Help You
Individuals arrested or charged with a criminal or serious traffic offense in Belmar are encouraged to contact our office to speak to a lawyer on our staff. Every attorney employed at our law firm specializes in criminal defense and is clearly knowledgeable in all charges that arise in this municipality. Do not make the mistake of so many by walking into court without, at a minimum, speaking to an attorney who can advise you of your rights, options, and how you may avoid a conviction and penalties. One of our criminal attorneys is available 24/7 to address your case by calling 855-450-8310.
