Thanksgiving is right around the corner and soon you’ll be enjoying your favorite dishes celebrating with family. However, an arrest can put a wrench in your Thanksgiving plans. Here are the most common crimes committed over Thanksgiving weekend in New Jersey and how an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help. 

Common Crimes Over Thanksgiving

Here is a list of some of the most common crimes that occur over Thanksgiving:

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Thanksgiving is a common time for DUIs. More specifically, the night before Thanksgiving is the biggest bar night of the year. There is likely to be an increase in both police officers and drivers under the influence on this night. Many cities will maintain their police presence throughout the whole weekend.

Speeding

Speeding ticket rates also increase over Thanksgiving weekend. This could be due to the increase in travelers visiting family. People are also often in a rush to get to their family celebrations, and may speed to make it on time. People may also be more likely to speed over the big shopping weekend that follows.

Disorderly Conduct

With an increase in people drinking alcoholic beverages, there also tends to be an increase in disorderly conduct. People may be visiting with family and friends they haven’t seen in months, which can sometimes lead to disputes. With more people at the bar, there is also more likely to be disagreements.

Theft

The day after Thanksgiving begins one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. Retail workers are often overworked and the increase in inventory can make the stores a hectic place to visit. With the holidays approaching, some people may be tempted to steal during this time. It’s also important to note that most stores also have an increase in security officers during this weekend, which may lead to an increase in shoplifting charges.

Most counties prepare for this increase in crime by scheduling more police officers. You can expect there to be more police on the road, searching for speeding or DUIs.

Charged With a Crime? Know Your Legal Rights

If you are charged with a crime over Thanksgiving weekend, there are a few things to know. For one, you may be required to spend the whole weekend in jail. Most criminal charges require that you meet with a judge before you can be released. With the holiday weekend, you may not be able to meet with a judge until Monday.

It’s also important to know what consequences you may receive. Most crimes in New Jersey have a minimum and maximum sentencing, which sets the standard for your charges. Depending on the crime, you could be subject to expensive legal fines, a permanent criminal record, and even jail time.

One of the first things to do following a criminal charge is to seek legal representation. A criminal defense lawyer can help you build a defense. With the right legal representation, you may be able to get a plea deal, which could mean a lesser sentence. It could also prevent the crime from being on your record, which could affect your career.

Contact an Experienced Moorestown Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Arrest in New Jersey

Were you arrested or charged with theft or drunk driving in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The Law Office of John B. Brennan has successfully represented clients charged with DUIs and shoplifting in Moorestown, Marlton, Cherry Hill, Mt. Laurel, and throughout New Jersey. Call (856) 446-5123 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 10,000 Lincoln Dr. East, Suite 201, Marlton, NJ 08053.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

Disorderly conduct consists of any improper behavior such as fighting, threats of violence, or creating a dangerous atmosphere.