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Belmar New Jersey Disorderly Persons Offense Lawyer
If you end up in trouble with the law in Belmar, New Jersey, you could face a disorderly person offense. If you're not familiar with New Jersey law, you may wonder whether a disorderly persons offense is a serious issue and whether you will need a lawyer to help you with the legal consequences of the charge. The answer is that it is an essential matter in your life, and you can benefit from the counsel of an experienced defense attorney. You don't have a right to a jury trial on a disorderly persons offense because you won't face potential prison time with a conviction. However, you still have a constitutional right to the assistance of legal counsel in preparing and presenting your defense. Your chances of getting the best outcome and avoiding the worst result improve with an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side.
The names given to the types of crimes in New Jersey are a bit different than you may have heard in other states or in TV crime dramas. There are no 'felonies' in New Jersey law but rather crimes that are ranked as first-degree (the most severe criminal offenses) through fourth-degree offenses (equivalent to the lowest level of a felony or most serious misdemeanor in other places).
New Jersey law also does not have any 'misdemeanors,' but rather crimes categorized as disorderly persons offenses. At the lowest level, what other places might call infractions are labeled petty disorderly persons offenses in New Jersey. While the names are different from what some may be familiar with, the consequences can be exactly as expected: court hearings, jail time, and financial penalties upon conviction. A skilled defense attorney is your best ally throughout the process.
Disorderly Persons OffensesA wide range of criminal activity is covered by the category of disorderly persons offense. Some of the most common crimes that come under this classification are:
- Shoplifting
- Resisting Arrest
- Passing Bad Checks
- •Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Simple Assault
- Lewdness
These examples are just some of the crimes that can lead to charges of a disorderly persons offense. While you cannot face a prison sentence on conviction of a disorderly persons crime, you can be sentenced to up to six months in jail and a fine of $1,000.
Petty Disorderly Persons OffensesA lower criminal charge in Belmar, New Jersey, is called a petty disorderly persons offense. Some examples of petty disorderly persons crimes include:
- Trespass
- Harassment
- Disorderly Conduct
While they may be the least serious crime you can face in New Jersey, even a petty disorderly persons offense is not to be taken lightly; you can still find yourself in jail for three months and paying financial penalties if convicted. Beyond the punishments you may face, the impacts on your life and reputation in the community can be severe with a conviction.
PenaltiesFortunately, you won't face time in prison on a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons conviction. As a result, you won't have the option of a jury trial on the charges, either. You still have a right to an attorney, and it makes sense to exercise this right to avoid the potential for the harshest consequences you could face if convicted.
A conviction of a disorderly persons offense can result in up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of up to $1,000. A petty disorderly persons offense can result in a sentence of up to three months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
Belmar Disorderly Persons LawyerThe best option when you've been charged with any crime is to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. It doesn't make sense to risk facing the worst outcome by trying to handle a complex legal case on your own.
The Belmar disorderly persons offense attorneys at Tara Breslow-Testa and Associates are available to help you handle your case. It might seem like a minor offense, but before you know it, you could be looking at more than you can handle on your own. Skilled criminal defense attorney Tara Breslow-Testa handles each case personally. As she advocates for her clients throughout their cases, her clients benefit from her individualized attention. Let us help you by calling our firm today at (732) 784-2880 or contacting us online.
