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Underage drinking and disorderly conduct attorney Panama City Beach

Arrests for Underage Drinking and Disorderly Conduct on Panama City Beach

March 16, 2015 • Dana Morris

Let’s face it, spring break on Panama City Beach is definitely a wild place to be for the party crowd, and this year is no exception.  Videos and pictures of spring break partying are plastered all over the most popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Secret.ly, Whisper.sh, Yik-Yak, WeHub, Snapchat and Instagram.  If you’ve checked out any of these sites, you know that the partying sometimes gets out of hand and laws are broken.

Underage drinking and related charges of disorderly conduct, public drunkenness (public intoxication) and driving under the influence (DUI) have risen substantially over the last several weeks on Panama City Beach.  Arrest numbers released this week show that since March 5, the Bay County Jail has booked over 900 individuals.  Other alcohol related arrests we’ve been contacted about include possession or consumption of alcohol on the right of way, disorderly intoxication in a public place causing a disturbance and indecent exposure.

  •  In Florida, underage possession of alcohol is a second degree misdemeanor, Florida Statute 562.111(1), which can carry penalties such as loss of driving privileges, jail time and fines.
  • Disorderly conduct is usually charged as a second degree misdemeanor, Florida Statute 877.03, but in some instances, such as 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, the Sheriff’s Office has instituted a ‘zero tolerance’ for underage drinking.  With deputies constantly on the beach checking IDs, over 280 spring breakers have been arrested and booked into the Walton County Jail in March on charges of underage drinking.

  •  If you are found guilty of Underage Possession of Alcohol, the judge is required to revoke your driver’s license for a minimum of six months.

Contact a Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer at The Morris Law Firm – We Put Our Clients First

If you, or your loved one, have been arrested, you will need the help of a reputable and knowledgeable Florida criminal defense attorney.  A good attorney who will fight to protect your rights is critical for avoiding a conviction, the creation of a permanent criminal record and possible jail or probation.  Call The Morris Law Firm now at (850) 257-5680.   We are available 24/7 to help you and can even schedule a free consultation.  With favorable facts, disorderly conduct charges can often be negotiated downward and sometimes dismissed at the earliest stages of a case.

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Panama City, FL Spring Break Attorney

6 things about PCB Spring Break 2015

March 7, 2015 • Dana Morris

Spring Break PCB 2015 is here!  The fun is in full swing and unfortunately so are the laws being broken that lead to Spring Break arrests.  Each year spring break brings college and high school students from all over the country to enjoy our sugar white sands on what is commonly known as “The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches!”  While the sun, surf and sand are a major draw, many come for partying and lots of it.

Here are some tips for your Panama City Beach vacation:

    • Panama City Beach has substantially increased the number of police officers walking on sand patrol this year.  They are looking for underage drinking.  According to a Panama City Beach city ordinance passed in October 2014, if you are drinking on the “sandy beach” you MUST have a valid ID with you at all times.
    • Glass containers are strictly forbidden on the beach.  Avoid a citation, leave the glass in your room.
    • Florida has an open container law which makes it illegal to have an open alcoholic beverage anywhere in your car.  Currently 39 states have similar laws, but our college friends from Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia or Wyoming may be unfamiliar with this law.  Furthermore, in Florida, not only is it illegal to have the open container in the vehicle, it is also illegal to have an open container of alcohol within 50 feet of a public thoroughfare.  This means you can be cited for walking along the road drinking a cold beer.
    • Do not drink and drive.  Take a taxi!  Read our posts on what to do if you’re pulled over.
    • For the month of March, all alcohol sales will end at 2am on Panama City Beach.
    • Do not balcony climb.  Balcony climbing is strictly prohibited by law and throughout the years several students have been killed attempting this.
    • Do not tamper with any fire safety devices at your hotel or elsewhere.  Tampering with these type devices can result in a felony arrest.

We’re here if you need us.  Give The Morris Law Firm a call if you, your son or daughter, have been arrested on Panama City Beach during Spring Break.  We’ll start with a free consultation to find out more about your situation.  Feel free to call us 24 hours a day at (850) 257-5680.  We realize you are looking for the best criminal defense attorney possible for your charges.  We strive to provide our clients with the best legal defense through aggressive representation, personal attention and genuine concern for every client.

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panama city, FL dui attorney

What to do if pulled over for a DUI in Florida

November 3, 2014 • Dana Morris

You have had a drink and you’re being pulled over.

What are you going to do?

First, you’ve heard throughout your life that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right? As both a friend and a criminal defense attorney, I would advise you to go out to your car, at your earliest convenience, and make sure that your registration and insurance information is together and easy to find in your glove compartment box. Second, keep your driver’s license in your wallet or purse. If you have all the documentation that an officer asks for, you appear organized, not incoherent or confused (i.e.: intoxicated). Third, try your best to settle down and be polite to the officer. Remember, it is very important to start off on the right foot with law enforcement. Fourth, questions asked by law enforcement will be designed to require that you admit something. What does that mean? Here are just a few examples:

  • Do you know why you were stopped?
  • Where are you going? Where have you been?
  • Have you been drinking tonight?
  • Do you know your eyes appear bloodshot/glassy?

Remember, you are not required to say anything at all but refusing to do so may appear evasive; as if you’re not cooperating or have something to hide. Keep your answers brief. If the officer asks you if you know why you were stopped, answer “No.” Realistically, you may have been driving just fine except for a tail light was out or you weren’t wearing your seatbelt. You aren’t required to share with an officer if you have had anything to drink that evening. Likewise, you don’t have to say where you have been or where you intend to go. Most DUI lawyers will advise individuals to use the phrase, “I’d rather not say.” It is fine to just leave it at that. Again, you need to appear organized, respectful, and responsive. Responsive DOES NOT MEAN providing long winded answers or engaging in law enforcement’s fishing expeditions. If the answer is no, the answer is no.

Lastly, if an officer asks you to submit to field sobriety tests, chances are good that you are going to jail. Why would I say this? Very, very few people who are asked to perform these tasks are released afterward because they did an outstanding job (even when sober). At this point, the officer is simply building the DUI case against you. By refusing, you will be arrested. Just remember, it’s the State Attorney’s Office that decides if, and how, someone will be charged. If there’s not enough evidence to support a DUI charge, the case may result in a dismissal or a lower misdemeanor charge, such as Reckless Driving.

Now what?  Were you pulled over for DUI or reckless driving? Are you facing “drunk driving” charges or have you been arrested for a DUI and need an attorney?  If so, give The Morris Law Firm a call and they will help answer your questions and ease your mind.  Dana Morris specializes in answering tough legal questions.  With over 14 years experience as an attorney, he can help you with answers to some of your questions like:

  • “What do I do now?”
  • “What is this going to cost me?”
  • “How much will a DUI attorney charge?”
  • “Will I lose my license for a DUI?”
  • “Will I have to come back to Panama City for court dates?”

Contact a Panama City DUI Attorney at The Morris Law Firm – Defending Your Rights Every Step of the Way

The Morris Law Firm is available 24/7, so call now, (850) 257-5680, and let us help you.  We can also schedule a free consultation in our office to review the facts of your case and determine the best course of action.

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