Let’s face it, spring break on Panama City Beach is still a wild place for the party crowd, and this year is no exception. Videos and pictures of spring break partying are plastered all over popular social media sites like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter (X). If you’ve checked any of these sites, you know that sometimes the partying gets out of hand and laws are broken.
Underage drinking and related charges—such as disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and DUI (driving under the influence)—continue to rise during spring break on Panama City Beach. Arrests commonly include possession or consumption of alcohol in public areas, disorderly intoxication causing disturbances, and indecent exposure.
In Florida, underage possession of alcohol is a second-degree misdemeanor (Florida Statute 562.111(1), which can carry penalties like loss of driving privileges, fines, and possible jail time.
Disorderly conduct is typically charged as a second-degree misdemeanor (Florida Statute 877.03), but in certain situations—like participation in a riot—it can be charged as a felony.
To our west, in Walton County, which includes the beaches of Sandestin, Grayton Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Watersound, and WaterColor, local authorities have a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking. Deputies actively patrol the beaches, and arrests during spring break are common.
If a judge finds someone guilty of underage possession of alcohol, driver’s licenses can be revoked for a minimum of six months.
Contact an Experienced Florida Criminal Defense Attorney at The Morris Law Firm
If you, or your loved one, have been arrested, you’ll need the help of an experienced Florida criminal defense attorney. A skilled attorney who will fight to protect your rights is critical for avoiding a conviction, a permanent criminal record, and possible jail or probation.
We are available 24/7 and can schedule a free consultation. With the right facts, charges like disorderly conduct or underage alcohol possession can often be negotiated downward, resolved through PTI (Pretrial Intervention), or even dismissed. In many cases, successfully completing PTI or having charges dismissed can help with expungement, keeping your record clean and protecting your future.
Call The Morris Law Firm now at (850) 257-5680.
