PNC Bank Arts Center, Underage Drinking

Underage drinking has become something of an institution at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, as young people from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York flock to the venue to hear musical performances by a wide variety of musicians from the past and the present.

Over the years, the PNC Bank Arts Center has taken strict measures to deal with an increasing frequency of underage drinking which has lead to fights, hospitalizations and even shootings.

If you are the parent or guardian of a juvenile arrested for underage drinking and you don’t want them to be institutionalized, PNC Bank Arts Center underage drinking attorney Tara Breslow-Testa is the first person you should talk to.

Born, bred and educated (JD Rutgers) in New Jersey, Tara Breslow-Testa has visited the PNC Bank Arts Center more than a few times over the years, and knows what goes on there. With her established private law practice, Ms. Breslow-Testa can’t help but notice the steady stream of worried parents and embarrassed/rebellious children passing through her office, seeking advice on how to defend themselves against charges of underage drinking. Charges that could result in a conviction for disorderly persons, with a penalty of not less than $500, the suspension of driving privileges for six months and an order to attend alcohol counseling classes.

Underage drinking also carries a permanent stain on a young person’s criminal record, which could lead to problems with jobs, military service and other facets of life down the line. An underage drinking lawyer serving Holmdel and the PNC Bank Arts Center, Tara Breslow-Testa can take action to prevent your child from being stained by alcohol.

For a free consultation, call Tara Breslow-Testa at (732) 784-2880

In May of 2007 two dozen minors attending a Gwen Stefani concert were hospitalized for alcohol-related illnesses. That incident inspired a “zero tolerance” ban on underage drinking. Between 60 - 80 New Jersey State Troopers were brought on scene to aid the usual security force of under 20 officers.

During an Ozzfest concert that same year, there were 83 arrests for underage drinking, lewd behavior, distribution of drugs and providing alcohol to a minor. Two people died from cardiac arrest, most likely linked to drinking or drugs.

Because of these and other incidents, authorities began to outlaw tailgating in 2008, during a season which saw two alcohol-related deaths and more than 600 arrests. But despite those measures, underage drinking continues, and the parking lots and interior of the amphitheater are patrolled and closely scrutinized by uniformed and plainclothes police - leading to hundreds and even thousands of arrests for underage drinking.

New Jersey Statutes NJSA 33:1-81 detail the parameters and punishments for underage drinking, misrepresenting age to procure alcohol, procuring alcohol for someone under age and other infractions involving alcohol and persons under the age of 21

It is a disorderly persons offense for anyone under the age of 18 to drink alcohol, use a fake ID to purchase alcohol or persuade an adult to purchase them alcohol. The penalty for disorderly persons offenses is a fine of no more than $500, and the suspension of driving privileges for up to six months. The court can also order an underage drinker to attend a Department of Health and Senior Services alcohol education program at their own expense.

A conviction for underage drinking can have short and long-term effects, and if you go to court to face these charges, Tara Breslow-Testa is the underage drinking defense attorney for Holmdel/PNC Bank Arts Center you want by your side. She understands the aggression of prosecutors and knows how to talk to judges who have seen and heard it all.

Kids will be kids and they sometimes have to be protected from themselves. PNC Bank Arts Center underage drinking defense lawyer Tara Breslow-Testa will argue for Pre Trial Intervention and other legal diversions to keep your child out of court, and their record clean.

For a free consultation, call Tara Breslow-Testa at (732) 784-2880