Underage Gambling Charges Defense Attorney in Atlantic City

Although underage gambling might seem like a harmless crime, NJ law enforcement and prosecutors do not shy away from seeking to impose the most severe penalties on violators of the state’s gambling laws. The penalties, even for first-time underage gambling offenders, can be significant. An underage person found on a casino floor can be charged with a criminal offense and end up with a permanent criminal record.

If your child is facing underage gambling charges, call criminal defense attorney, John W. Tumelty right away. He is the founding partner of the Law Offices of John W. Tumelty and has helped many individuals fight underage gambling charges in Atlantic City for over 35 years. He is a local criminal attorney who deals with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office on a daily basis.

For more than 35 years, he has had considerable success in both prosecuting and defending countless individuals charged with casino crimes, including underage gambling, criminal trespass, casino theft, and disorderly conduct in casino hotels. He can help your family.

What Are the Penalties for Underage Gambling in New Jersey?

New Jersey law prohibits underage individuals from gambling, whether it’s in an Atlantic City casino, a private location elsewhere in the state and even online! Underage gambling charges are quite common in Atlantic City casinos. Casino security personnel are required to regularly check the identification of individuals who appear to be under the age of 21. When they encounter a person who is not legally allowed to be on a casino gaming floor, they report the violation to the police.

The penalties for underage gambling in New Jersey are significant. The New Jersey Casino Control Act is outlined in N.J.S.A. 5:12-119. The law prohibits anyone under the legal drinking age (21) from setting foot on the gambling floor of a licensed casino, let alone placing a wager in a casino. The statute classifies underage gambling as a disorderly persons offense, which means that offenders are subject to severe penalties that can include fines, driver’s license suspension, probation, community service, and, in the worst cases, jail time. Beyond that, a disorderly persons offense is a criminal charge that will become part of a criminal record.

The mandatory minimum penalties for an underage gambling conviction in New Jersey include a fine of between $500 and $1,000 and driver’s license suspension for a period of six months. Additionally, as the parent or person who has custody or control of someone who has been charged with underage gambling, you can be charged with a disorderly persons offense as well, under N.J.S.A. 5:12-119(c).

You Need an Experienced Atlantic City Criminal Attorney to Fight for Your Child’s Rights in Court

It is critically important that you speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney because underage gambling is a strict liability offense. This means that Atlantic City prosecutors do not offer plea bargains on underage gambling cases. Due to the absence of plea bargaining in these cases, the only way to avoid the most serious penalties for underage gambling is to challenge the charges. In other words, your attorney will need to be prepared to fight for your son or daughter in the courtroom.

If your child was merely “passing through” the casino floor in order to reach the hotel lobby, a knowledgeable attorney may be able to get the charged dismissed. Additionally, an attorney who knows what to look for can review the video footage and narrative reports in the case to determine if the evidence against your child is strong.

Underage Gambling Defense Attorney Helps Keep Your Child’s Permanent Record Clean of a Criminal Conviction

You do not want your child to end up with a permanent criminal record at all, much less for a dumb mistake like being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If your child has been charged with underage gambling in Atlantic City, New Jersey, you need the assistance of a strong, local criminal defense attorney to ensure that their rights are protected throughout the legal process.

Attorney John Tumelty is a battle-tested criminal lawyer who has represented countless clients accused of casino crimes in Atlantic City. As a former assistant county prosecutor with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Trial Section, he has unique insight into how prosecutors evaluate a criminal case and prepare a case for court. This gives him a huge advantage when preparing a case and strategizing for trial.

Call to schedule your free consultation today or fill out the convenient online contact form to request a confidential meeting with Mr. Tumelty – 24/7. He will fight hard to protect your child and to avoid a criminal record.