New Jersey Disorderly Persons Offense Lawyer
Disorderly Persons Charge Lawyer in Hamilton, NJ Represents Clients Arrested on Disorderly Persons Offenses in Mercer County, Middlesex County, Ocean County, and Throughout NJ
Under New Jersey law, offenses categorized as misdemeanors in most states are called disorderly persons offenses. Perhaps the most important thing that you need to know if you are accused of committing a disorderly persons offense is that any conviction will go on your permanent record. It is important that you have a New Jersey Disorderly Persons Offense Lawyer to fight to get your charges dropped or downgraded.
The consequences for conviction can be quite serious, given that New Jersey may treat certain disorderly persons offenses as violent crimes even if no one was physically hurt. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Hartman Duff, LLC know what it takes to successfully defend charges in both Municipal Court and Superior Court—and we are here to help.
At Hartman Duff, LLC, we have years of experience providing effective and strong criminal defense strategies for a wide range of disorderly persons offenses in New Jersey. We know how the prosecution works. Let us use our extensive knowledge and experience in criminal defense to answer your questions, formulate a defense that best suits your legal predicament, and help get your life back on track.
If you or a loved one have been accused of committing a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, don’t wait to seek legal help. Even a seemingly minor criminal conviction can result in serious consequences down the road—especially if you are ever accused of committing a crime in the future. Contact our New Jersey Disorderly Persons Offense Lawyer today to discuss your options.
Examples of Disorderly Persons Offenses
A disorderly persons offense in New Jersey is essentially any enumerated offense that can be punished by no more than six months in jail. Felony-level indictable crimes, on the other hand, are those punishable by more than six months in prison. Some of the most common disorderly persons offenses our firm handles include:
- Simple assault
- Simple possession of marijuana (less than 50 grams)
- Drug paraphernalia charges
- Disorderly conduct
- Shoplifting
- Harassment
Penalties for a disorderly persons offense charge can include up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
New Jersey Disorderly Conduct: N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2
Disorderly conduct is a commonly charged disorderly persons offense in New Jersey. The statutory language in N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 defines disorderly conduct as:
a. Improper behavior. A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he
(1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or
(2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
b. Offensive language. A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense if, in a public place, and with purpose to offend the sensibilities of a hearer or in reckless disregard of the probability of so doing, he addresses unreasonably loud and offensively coarse or abusive language, given the circumstances of the person present and the setting of the utterance, to any person present.
If you have been arrested on disorderly conduct charges or accused of any other disorderly persons offense, call the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Hartman Duff, LLC to learn more about how we can help today.
Call Today to Request a Consultation with our Experienced New Jersey Disorderly Persons Offense Lawyer
Many people who are arrested on disorderly persons offense charges make the mistake of thinking that a conviction will not have serious consequences. Even if it is your first arrest, a disorderly persons offense conviction can land you in jail and create the embarrassing need to disclose a criminal record in the future.
At Hartman Duff, LLC, our experienced Disorderly Persons Offense Lawyer take all criminal charges seriously. Whether you have been arrested for simple assault or disorderly conduct, our lawyers are here to make sure your rights are protected throughout the criminal process. To learn more about how we can help build a strong defense in your case, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Criminal Defense for Disorderly Persons Offenses
Yes. The prosecution must charge you with a disorderly persons offense within one year of the time you allegedly committed the offense. Charges brought more than one year later will be time-barred.
Yes, in some cases. Depending upon the circumstances, you may be eligible for a diversionary program, such as conditional discharge. If you are charged with a drug-related disorderly persons offense, such as simple possession of marijuana, you may be able to avoid jail time and instead complete one year of probation. Assuming you successfully complete the program requirements, you may be able to avoid conviction through this program.