If you’re reading this because something just happened — here’s exactly what to do, starting with the first ten minutes.
Rehoboth Beach in 2026 has a law enforcement environment that is more active, better resourced, and less forgiving than the beach week of previous generations. The rules are real. The charges are real. And the consequences — for college, for careers, for the future that’s just getting started — are real.
Got Arrested at Rehoboth Beach? Do These Things First.
The first ten minutes matter more than anything else that follows.
Stay Calm & Say Nothing
Provide your name and ID. Beyond that: “I’d like to speak with a lawyer before answering questions.” Say nothing else. An MIP is manageable. MIP plus resisting arrest is not.
Call Home — Not Friends
Use your call to contact a parent or guardian who can get you legal help. Not to coordinate a story. Not to text friends. One call. Make it count.
Call a Delaware Attorney
Murray, Phillips & Gay handles Sussex County beach cases: 302-855-9300. Do NOT pay any fine before speaking with a Delaware attorney. Paying is pleading guilty.
Stay Off Social Media
Nothing. Not now, not from the station, not later that night. Everything you post is discoverable by prosecutors. Complete silence until the case is fully resolved.
This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. If you’ve been arrested, contact a Delaware attorney immediately. Murray, Phillips & Gay: 302-855-9300. For DUI specifically, you have 15 days from arrest to request a DMV hearing — see our Delaware Beach DUI guide.
Common Charges at Rehoboth Beach
| Charge | Type | Severity | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor in Possession (MIP) | Civil/Criminal | Manageable | First offense: fine plus 30-day license suspension. No jail typically. Most common beach week charge. |
| Public Intoxication | Misdemeanor | Serious | Criminal charge. Up to 30 days jail and fines. Goes on record. Needs a lawyer. |
| Disorderly Conduct | Misdemeanor | Serious | Broad charge. Used heavily during takeover events. Criminal record implications. |
| Resisting Arrest | Misdemeanor | Very serious | Compounds any other charge significantly. Avoid at all costs. |
| Public Marijuana Use | Civil/Criminal | Serious | Delaware has recreational marijuana but public use is prohibited. Actively enforced. |
| Riot / Conspiracy | Felony | Extremely serious | Life-altering consequences. Immediate legal counsel required. |
MIP Specifically — Serious but Survivable
MIP is the most common Rehoboth Beach arrest for the Senior Week crowd. Do NOT just pay the fine online and consider it handled. Paying the fine is an admission of guilt.
In Delaware, a first offense MIP carries a fine and a 30-day driver’s license suspension. That license suspension catches people off guard — a Delaware attorney can sometimes negotiate it down or explore diversion programs for first-time offenders that can keep the charge off your record entirely. You won’t know if you qualify unless you ask before you pay anything.
The most important thing about an MIP: Do not pay the fine online and consider it handled. Talk to a Delaware attorney first. Paying is pleading guilty. Five minutes on the phone with Murray, Phillips & Gay (302-855-9300) before you pay could matter for years.
Serious Charges — When Everything Changes
Disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, public intoxication, and anything related to the takeover events are criminal charges — not civil penalties. A criminal conviction in Delaware can affect college admission, financial aid, employment background checks, professional licensing, and security clearances.
Takeover events — felony charges are real: Being present at a Rehoboth Beach takeover event, even as a bystander, can result in arrest. Four college students were charged with felonies — Intent to Commit or Facilitate a Riot and Conspiracy in the Second Degree — for their alleged role in one of these events. If you see a large crowd forming rapidly on the boardwalk or beach, leave immediately. Don’t stay to watch. Don’t film. Leave.
Getting a Delaware Lawyer
Rehoboth Beach is in Sussex County, Delaware. You need a Delaware attorney with Sussex County experience — not your family lawyer in Maryland or Virginia.
Murray, Phillips & Gay
Sussex County office: 302-855-9300. Over 20 years handling juvenile and criminal defense in Sussex County including MIP, public intoxication, and beach-related charges. Verify current contact information before calling.
What to Ask Any Delaware Attorney
- Do you handle Sussex County cases regularly?
- Have you handled beach week charges?
- Is there a diversion program available for my charge?
- What are the license suspension implications?
- What does a conviction mean for my background check?
Public defender: If you cannot afford a private attorney, you have the right to a public defender for criminal charges. Request one at your first court appearance.
For Parents — Your Checklist
When the Call Comes
- Stay calm on the phone — get the facts first before you react emotionally
- Get the exact charge and location — Rehoboth Beach Police: 302-227-2577. Sussex County Correctional: 302-856-5280
- Call a Delaware attorney immediately — Murray, Phillips & Gay: 302-855-9300. Call before you drive down, before you pay anything
- Do not pay anything without legal advice — paying a fine is a guilty plea. Diversion programs may be available for first offenses
- Tell your kid to say nothing — name only, ask for a lawyer, nothing else
- Honor the no-questions-asked rule — get them home safe first. Have the conversation when everyone is calm
After the Arrest — What Happens Next
- Write down everything immediately — what happened, what was said, who was present. Memory degrades fast.
- Contact a Delaware attorney before your court date — do not ignore the court date and do not pay before speaking with an attorney
- Preserve any evidence — photos, videos, witness information. Don’t delete anything without your attorney’s guidance
- Stay off social media — everything is discoverable. Silence until the case is resolved
- Notify your school if required — some colleges require disclosure of arrests even before conviction
How to Avoid This
- No open containers anywhere public — not on the boardwalk, beach, or street. Delaware enforces this. See the complete Delaware beach laws guide.
- Leave when the crowd escalates — if a gathering starts growing fast, leave. You don’t have to know it’s a takeover event to recognize the energy shift.
- Rideshare after midnight — walking the boardwalk at 2am while impaired is how people end up in avoidable situations
- Know what you’re taking — fentanyl is present in the current drug supply. Any pill from an unknown source is potentially lethal. This is not a drill.
- Be respectful if approached by police — calm and respectful interaction keeps a situation manageable. Attitude turns a warning into an arrest.
Sending a kid to Senior Week? Read the complete parents guide before they leave — what’s changed since the 80s, the fentanyl conversation, the takeover events, and what to do before they go. Read the Senior Week Parents Guide →
Most people leave Rehoboth with a great story. The vast majority of people who go have a wonderful time and come home with nothing worse than a sunburn. Know the rules before you go. Behave sensibly while you’re there. And if something goes wrong despite your best judgment — stay calm, say nothing, and call home.