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- 2013
- January
- Panama City Beach Spring Break Arrest — What to Do
Arrested During Spring Break in Panama City Beach? Here's What to Do
January 2013 | By Rusty Shepard, NADD Nationally Ranked Superior DUI Attorney, Former ASA — 14th Judicial Circuit, Shepard Law
Panama City Beach is one of the top spring break destinations in the United States. Every year, tens of thousands of students descend on the area — and every year, hundreds of them face criminal charges for conduct that can follow them long after the trip ends.
As a former Assistant State Attorney who has prosecuted spring break cases in Bay County, Rusty Shepard knows how these cases are handled — and what makes the difference between a charge that disappears and one that follows you for years.
If you or someone you know was arrested during spring break in Panama City Beach, here is what you need to know right now.
Most Common Spring Break Arrests in Panama City Beach
- Underage drinking / Minor in Possession (MIP) — the most frequent spring break charge
- Public intoxication — disorderly intoxication in public
- Disorderly conduct — fighting, causing a public disturbance
- Resisting an officer without violence — failure to comply with a lawful command
- DUI — driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Criminal mischief — property damage
- Drug possession — marijuana, cocaine, or prescription pills without a valid prescription
- Trespassing
- Simple battery — altercations in bars, on the beach, or in accommodation
Do These Charges Matter? Yes — More Than You Think
Many people assume that a misdemeanour spring break charge is a minor inconvenience that will go away on its own. It will not. A conviction — even for a first-time misdemeanour — creates a permanent criminal record that:
- Appears on background checks — employment, housing, and professional licensing
- Can affect your college or university status — scholarships, on-campus housing, and academic programs often have conduct requirements
- Can impact future job prospects — employers frequently screen for criminal records, particularly in law, medicine, finance, and education
- Cannot be expunged if you are convicted — Florida only allows expungement or sealing if the case did not result in a conviction
What to Do If You Are Arrested in Panama City Beach
The decisions you make in the first hours after an arrest matter enormously. Here is what to do:
- Stay calm — do not resist, argue, or make physical contact with officers
- Exercise your right to remain silent — anything you say will be used against you
- Do not consent to searches — you have the right to decline a search of your person, vehicle, or accommodation
- Call Shepard Law immediately — (850) 290-2505 — available 24/7
- Do not discuss the case with anyone except your attorney — jail calls are recorded
Out-of-State Students — Special Considerations
If you live outside Florida, a spring break arrest creates additional complications. You will likely need to return to Bay County for court dates — or retain an attorney who can appear on your behalf. Florida courts do not simply dismiss charges because you live out of state. In fact, the State Attorney’s Office treats out-of-state defendants the same as local defendants.
Shepard Law regularly represents out-of-state clients in Bay County courts. In many cases, we can handle proceedings without requiring you to return to Panama City — particularly for misdemeanour charges where early intervention can result in dismissal or diversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can spring break charges be dismissed?
Yes — particularly first-time misdemeanour charges where the defendant has no prior record. Early intervention by an experienced attorney, agreement to a diversion programme, or identifying weaknesses in the evidence can result in dismissal. The earlier you contact an attorney, the more options are available.
What is a diversion programme in Florida?
Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) is a Florida diversion programme that allows first-time offenders to complete certain requirements — community service, counselling, fines — in exchange for the charge being dismissed. Successful completion means no conviction and the possibility of expungement. Not all charges are eligible, and acceptance is at the discretion of the State Attorney’s Office.
Do I have to return to Florida for court?
For misdemeanour charges, it is often possible for your attorney to appear on your behalf without you being present. For felony charges, a personal appearance is typically required. Shepard Law will advise you specifically on your obligations based on the charge.
Arrested during spring break in Panama City Beach? Call Shepard Law at (850) 290-2505. Available 24/7. We represent out-of-state clients throughout Bay County.