Being in trouble with the law affects more than your criminal record. A criminal conviction can create social stigma for you, your friends, and your family, which is why you should never try to handle a criminal charge on your own. If you have been charged with a crime, contact an experienced Guttenberg Criminal Defense Attorney immediately to get the defense you deserve.
Criminal Offenses in New Jersey
New Jersey classifies criminal offenses through a system not used by many other states. Offenses are categorized into two distinct classes, with the main difference being the level of punishment allotted for each. The categories are as follows:
- Disorderly person offenses – Similar to misdemeanors and have less severe punishments.
- Indictable crimes – Similar to felonies, and hold severe punishments of at least 1 year of jail time
There are four degrees of severity for every criminal offense in New Jersey. For example, a fourth-degree charge for petty theft may lead to a light fine. A first-degree indictable offense like murder, on the other hand, could result in many years of prison, up to life imprisonment.
Disorderly Person Offenses
Disorderly person offenses in New Jersey are handled by the Municipal Court System. Defendants are not entitled to a jury trial, and depending on the severity of the crime, may be charged with a petty or regular offense. An example of a petty disorderly person offense is writing a bad check. Other more severe offenses include:
- Criminal mischief leading to damages or loss of less than $200
- Property theft, resulting in damages or loss of less than $200
- Simple assault
- Shoplifting an item worth less than $200
- Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana
Although the punishment for these offenses may vary from case to case, a typical conviction will usually be followed by a $1,000 fine and 6 months of jail time. You may also be required to pay court costs, perform community service, or go through probation. Some courts will even revoke your professional or driver’s licenses for up to 2 years.
Indictable Crimes
As mentioned, indictable crimes in New Jersey carry more severe punishments. A conviction will usually hold a jail term of at least one year, with the number of years varying depending on the degree of the crime. Indictable crimes are classified as follows:
- First-degree crime like rape, manslaughter, or murder
- Second-degree crime, like burglary, sex offenses, and drug crimes
- Third-degree crime, such as arson and some robbery offenses
- Fourth-degree, such as stalking
Most white-collar crimes are classified as second-degree indictable crimes, with a typical punishment of up to 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Talk to a Guttenberg Criminal Defense Attorney
Anthony Carbone, an expert Guttenberg Criminal Defense Attorney, has been defending the rights of criminal defendants in New Jersey for over 3 decades. He is familiar with the criminal court systems and has extensive experience applying various legal strategies to get your charges reduced or eliminated.
With his 35 years of experience, attorney Carbone can guide you through the entire process of clearing your name and record. He will tell you when it is advisable to accept a plea bargain and when to pursue a trial. Contact him today at 201-829-3829 to schedule a consultation.
