Criminal Defense Attorney defends underage drinking establishment-bar patrons on charges for tampering with public records or tendering false government documents | fake i.d..
Stephen A. Gravatt, Esq.
Attorney
565 NJ 35
Middletown, New Jersey 07748
(732)-337-7922
email: pipking@comcast.net
Tampering Public Records – Belmar Municipal Court is located at 601 Main Street, Belmar, New Jersey 07719. Belmar Municipal Court is a shared services court in which all criminal and traffic offenses charged in Belmar, South Belmar-Lake Como and Spring Lake are heard. The telephone number is (732)-681-3893 and the fax number is (732-681-4728. The Court is open from 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. The Court Administrator Patricia White, CMCA. Arielle Frank, Violations Clerk and Kelly Connolly, Violations Clerk, process fines. The Judge is Hon. Dennis Lavender, J.M.C.. The Prosecutor is Stephen Scheuler, Municipal Prosecutor. Court sessions are held from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. week days.
As an experienced criminal defense attorney I can advise you that showing a false identification card of any kind to a bar employee to gain entry into a drinking establishment is a criminal offense. As an attorney I regularly see underage individuals presenting false government documents or tampering with public records to gain entry into drinking establishments. This offense is considered serious because law enforcement must rely on the authenticity of driver’s licenses to establish the identity of suspects.
WHAT CONDUCT CONSTITUTES TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC RECORDS OR INFORMATION?
First, the facts must be evaluated. If the document presented was once a valid driver’s license, but has been tampered with, the offense is covered under N.J.S. 2C: 28-7(2), entitled “Tampering with public records or information”, which states it is a criminal event, if convicted of: “… making, presenting, offering for filing, or uses any record, document or thing knowing it to be false, and with purpose that it be taken as a genuine part of information or records….
WHAT CONDUCT CONSTITUTES OFFENSES INVOLVING FALSE GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS?
However, if the document presented is, or is a document not issued by government, but intended to look like a government issued driver’s license, then N.J.S. 2C: 21-2.1(d), entitled “Offenses involving false government documents” applies. This statute states: “ … A person who knowingly possesses a document or other writing which falsely purports to be a driver’s license or other document issued by a government agency and which could be used as a means of verifying a person’s identity or age or any other personal identifying information is guilty of a fourth degree crime.” This means a monetary fine of up to $10,000.00, plus possible jail time of up to eighteen (18) months plus a criminal conviction.
Either of these offenses can also be charged as a disorderly persons offense, which could result if convicted in a monetary fine of up to $1,000.00 plus possible jail time up to 180 days plus criminal conviction plus could preclude your eligibility from securing a job with many governmental agencies and licensing boards.
Belmar Police also usually charge a third offense known as “Interference With Business Enterprise”, Ordinance 2016-06. This is a municipal ordinance and to a 2C criminal offense.
DO I NEED TO BE REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY?
Yes. Money is fungible. A criminal record is not. A criminal record can preclude one from securing employment as a school teacher or other government official. If currently employed by government one may be required to forfeit one’s position. One may not be able to secure a professional license to practice from a professional board although otherwise qualified.
In my 30 years as a criminal defense attorney I have successfully represented many young people charged with this offense and have helped them avoid conviction for any criminal offense and to avoid jail time. If you or your child has been charged, I can help.
Please contact me for your free initial consultation and a no nonsense discussion of how I can help you if retained.
Stephen A. Gravatt, Esq.
(732)-337-7922
www.njdwicriminaldefenseattorney.com
