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Arrests at PNC Bank Arts Center

Arrested at a PNC Bank Arts Center Concert?

Our Attorneys Can Help You!

If you or someone in your family faces charges related to trouble at a PNC Bank Arts Center event, it makes sense to talk to a lawyer with experience defending people facing charges in Holmdel Township Municipal Court, as well as the surrounding Monmouth County towns.  Contact Villani & DeLuca, P.C., to learn how a skilled attorney can expand your options toward a favorable resolution of your legal problem.

Legal Trouble Following Events at PNC Bank Arts Center

For thousands of music fans from the Jersey Shore to New York City, the summer outdoor concert season revolves around the event schedule at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, right on the Garden State Parkway. This venue holds more than 7,000 spectators in sheltered seating, with additional room for about 10,000 more on a massive lawn behind the seats.

What many people don't realize is that the PNC bank arts center shares a parking lot with a NJ State Trooper Barracks. Yes, the PNC parking lot is where the NJ State Police have a station. That makes patrons sitting ducks if they are doing something illegal, as the State Police literally can look out the window and see what's happening. The State Police even have both marked and unmarked police cars patrolling the concert parking lot.

In addition to the Trooper cars, both uniformed and undercover Troopers patrol the area. This combination makes the PNC Arts Center an easy place to get caught if you're drinking underage, or using marijuana or other drugs while tailgating in the parking area or partying inside the venue.

The PNC Bank Arts Center books about 30 shows over the summer season, and most people have a great time on each visit with no unfortunate incidents. At any given concert, however, a few people will likely run into some kind of legal problem, whether it involves underage drinking, marijuana possession, or more serious offenses. Occasionally, a particular show and its pre-concert tailgating will generate dozens of arrests and citations.

Since our firm was established in 1996, our lawyers have been involved with thousands of cases in the municipal and superior court following arrests in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Our goal in each case is to expand the range of positive outcomes available in a given case, then work to achieve the result that best meets our client's objectives and circumstances. We give our clients clear and honest information about the risks they face on their particular charge. Our lawyers also pay close attention to the specific interests each client needs to protect, so that a good immediate result won't lead to later problems or unintended consequences.

The criminal defense attorneys at Villani & DeLuca are experienced courtroom lawyers who have worked as prosecutors, public defenders and private attorneys in the Jersey Shore municipal courts. Our familiarity with the law enforcement practices and court routines as they vary from one town to another means we have a good idea how a given case is likely to turn out. Our clients also benefit from our insights into how a prosecutor might handle the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence against an individual defendant.

Charges Likely to Result from a Concert Arrest

The charges likely to follow an arrest at PNC Bank Arts Center are precisely the kinds of municipal offenses and indictable cases our attorneys handle most often. As a long-established Jersey Shore law firm, we have plenty of experience defending people — locals and visitors alike — who managed to get themselves into trouble while having a good time.

Here are examples of the types of cases that commonly result from an arrest at the PNC Bank Arts Center:

Marijuana possession: The most frequent charges are for under 50 grams of marijuana. Our experience resolving these cases in municipal court will be extremely valuable should you find yourself facing marijuana possession charges. If you have no prior criminal record we may be in a position to apply you for a conditional discharge or otherwise challenge the search that resulted in the charge in the first place. We know what to expect and how to best defend your case. Usually an under 50 grams of marijuana is also accompanied by a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia in violation of 2c:36-2.

We also handle more serious 4th degree marijuana offenses involving the possession of more than 50 grams (just under 2 ounces) of marijuana.

Underage drinking, fake ID, and similar charges: People under 21 sometimes try to buy alcohol with false identification, and people over 21 sometimes furnish alcohol to minors. More often at the Arts Center we see people under 21 getting charged with possession of alcohol under age. Given the party atmosphere that frequently prevails in the Arts Center parking lots, underage drinking can be a real problem, and the State Troopers won't hesitate to write citations when they observe it before, during or after the show.

Possession of CDS: Possession of controlled dangerous substances such as cocaine, heroin, opioids, or unauthorized prescription drugs will generally be charged as a crime in the second degree, which is a significantly more serious offense than possession of a small amount of marijuana under New Jersey law. Our experience with the defense of indictable drug offenses can help you avoid jail time, heavy fines, and the future difficulties that can result from a criminal conviction.

Disorderly conduct: This term covers a variety of minor offenses that are generally charged as petty disorderly persons cases. These include fighting, harassment, public intoxication, or other misconduct that disturbs the peace or tends to annoy, anger, or upset others in a public setting. If a parking lot argument starts to get out of hand, the instigators can expect to be cited for disorderly conduct.

Drunk driving: Drinking at a pre-concert tailgate party is a common feature of the Arts Center concert experience. So are state and local police sobriety stops on the surrounding roadway after the show. If you have been drinking at the concert, you shouldn't drive home. If you drove anyway and got arrested for DWI, our thorough and sophisticated approach to drunk driving defense can make a positive difference in the outcome of your case.

According to an NJ.com report, one Arts Center concert in August 2015 generated more than 100 arrests. About two-thirds of them were for underage drinking, while the rest ranged from drug possession to defiant trespass to lewdness. To protect the Arts Center's reputation as one of the finest summer concert venues on the East Coast, concert promoters have become increasingly security-conscious, and law enforcement authorities have become more proactive about anticipating the problems that might arise at a particular show. For example, alcohol at tailgate parties will be prohibited for some concerts, especially those expected to draw younger audiences.

If you have recently run into legal trouble at an Arts Center concert in Holmdel, the defense lawyers of Villani & DeLuca can help you understand just what you're facing and the best ways to get past it. Contact us for a free consultation about your legal options.

You Have Rights! Let Our Firm Help Protect Them!

If you are facing charges in Ocean County or Monmouth County, you should be aware that a conviction can have serious consequences which will impact your life. The attorneys at Villani & DeLuca are experienced in helping people that are facing criminal charges determine the best possible outcome for their case and work toward an effective resolution. Carmine Villani and the lawyers at Villani & DeLuca will be with you every step of the way.


Contact the criminal defense team of Villani & DeLuca today.

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