Facing an Illegal Alcohol Sales Charge in New Jersey? You Need a Top Attorney
At the Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC, our New Jersey illegal alcohol sales defense attorney is standing by, ready to review your case and help you understand the charges. Our firm handles the full range of illegal alcohol sale allegations—from alleged sales to a minor to the unlawful manufacturing and selling of alcoholic beverages without a proper license. If you or your family member is facing any type of illegal alcohol sales offense, we are here to help. Contact us today for a confidential, no obligation consultation with a top New Jersey defense lawyer.
An Overview of Illegal Alcohol Sale Charges in New Jersey
Selling Alcohol to a Minor (Underage Alcohol Sales)
In New Jersey, knowingly or recklessly selling alcohol to a minor is a criminal offense (N.J.S.A. § 2C:33-17). A violation is typically a disorderly persons offense. Though, there can still be serious penalties—including potential suspension or revocation of a liquor license. To obtain a conviction for selling to a minor, prosecutors must prove all of the following:
- Sale of Alcohol: The first element of this offense is the act of selling, serving, or making available alcohol to an underage person, including transactions in bars, restaurants, liquor stores, or any other venue where alcohol is sold.
- Age of the Recipient: The recipient of the alcohol must be under the legal drinking age of 21. In New Jersey, it is the responsibility of the seller to verify the age of the purchaser through appropriate identification.
- Knowledge or Reason to Know: The seller must have known or had reason to know that the person they were selling to was under the legal drinking age. To be clear, failure to verify age is not a valid legal defense.
- Intent: While the specific intent to commit the crime is not necessary, there must be a general intent to perform the act of selling alcohol. The law recognizes an offense whether the seller explicitly intended to sell to a minor or not.
Manufacturing or Selling Illegal Alcohol
In New Jersey, the manufacturing and selling of alcohol is regulated by N.J.S.A. § 33:1-50. Along with other thighs, the statute addresses the concerns related to public health and safety arising from the distribution of unregulated alcoholic beverages. A person violates the statute if:
- Manufacturing Alcohol: The law prohibits the unauthorized manufacturing of alcoholic beverages. Any process that involves the production, brewing, distilling, or creation of alcohol in an amount excessive of personal use exemptions violates the law.
- Selling or Offering for Sale: It is illegal to sell, barter, or offer for sale any alcoholic beverages that have been manufactured without the proper licensing.
- Adulteration/Mislabeling: New Jersey law also prohibits the adulteration or mislabeling of alcoholic beverages. It is unlawful to alter the content or composition of the drink. It is also unlawful to provide false or misleading information about its nature, strength, or quality.
The offense of manufacturing or selling illegal alcohol under N.J.S.A. § 33:1-50 is classified as a crime in New Jersey. It is treated as a disorderly persons offense if the illegal activity does not involve significant quantities and does not include other aggravating factors. In certain cases—such as large operations—there is a risk of a felony (indictable offense) charge.
How Our New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help
Illegal alcohol sales charges are complex. It is normal to feel stressed out if you are facing allegations related to the unlawful distribution of alcohol. Our founding attorney Matthew V. Portella, Esq. has the experience you can trust. We are proactive. With an aggressive approach and committed to creative, solutions-focused advocacy, our New Jersey defense attorney is prepared to:
- Conduct a confidential and comprehensive review of the charges against you;
- Investigate allegations of illegal distribution/sale of alcohol;
- Handle all of the interactions with police, prosecutors, and the court; and
- Develop a personalized strategy with a focus on your freedom and future.
Contact Our New Jersey Illegal Alcohol Sales Defense Lawyer for Immediate Help
At the Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC, our New Jersey criminal defense attorney handles all types of illegal sale of alcohol charges. Were you or your loved one charged? We are here to help. Contact us right away for your completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation. From our law office in Haddonfield, we defend illegal alcohol sales charges throughout New Jersey.