Spring Break Arrest FAQ for Students and Parents
Spring break brings thousands of college students and visitors to Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, and the rest of Tampa Bay. Most trips end with nothing more than a sunburn. But every year, some end with an arrest. If you or a friend or family member was arrested on spring break, the answers below explain the basics. For your specific situation, call or text Attorney Ron Frey right away at (813) 775-2276 or (844) 766-3739. Consultations are free and confidential, by phone, by video, or in person.
What are the most common spring break charges?
Spring break arrests often involve the same handful of charges. Here is where some of them appear in Florida law (general nature only):
- Underage drinking: Section 562.111, Florida Statutes, Possession of alcoholic beverages by persons under age 21 prohibited.
- Fake ID: Section 322.212, Florida Statutes, Unauthorized possession of, and other unlawful acts in relation to, driver license or identification card.
- Open container: in a vehicle, Section 316.1936, Florida Statutes, covers open containers. On beaches and streets, many cities also have their own local rules.
- Disorderly conduct: Section 877.03, Florida Statutes, Breach of the peace; disorderly conduct.
- DUI: Section 316.193, Florida Statutes, Driving under the influence; penalties.
- Drug possession: Section 893.13, Florida Statutes, Prohibited acts; penalties.
- Resisting an officer: Section 843.02, Florida Statutes, Resisting officer without violence to his or her person.
Laws change, so contact Attorney Ron Frey about how any of these may apply to your case.
What happens after an arrest at Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach?
Both beaches are in Pinellas County, so cases from either one are handled in the Pinellas County courts. Depending on where the arrest happened, the arresting agency may be the Clearwater Police Department or the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Every case is different, and what happens next depends on the charge and the circumstances. Call Attorney Ron Frey right away to talk through the next steps.
I live out of state. Can I just go home?
A Florida charge doesn’t end when you leave Florida. Missing a court date can lead to a warrant. Attendance at court dates is often required and should be assumed mandatory unless the court or your attorney explicitly says otherwise. Attorney Ron Frey works with out-of-state clients and their families to sort out the logistics. Learn more in Arrested on Vacation in Tampa Bay.
Will my college find out?
Some schools have conduct rules that reach off-campus behavior, and a criminal case and a school discipline matter can run side by side. The criminal case usually comes first. Attorney Ron Frey can also help students think through how the case may affect school. See College Student Defense.
How can a friend or family member help?
A friend or family member, including a parent, can make the first call to Attorney Ron Frey, even from out of state. Write down what you know: the person’s full name, date of birth, where and when the arrest happened, and the agency, if you know it. Then call or text right away.
Wherever in Tampa Bay the arrest happened, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Call or text Attorney Ron Frey at (813) 775-2276 or (844) 766-3739 for a free, confidential consultation by phone, by video, or in person at The Frey Law Firm, 625 E. Twiggs St., Suite 101A, in downtown Tampa. For every courthouse and agency page, see Tampa Bay Locations.