You've just been arrested or charged with a crime in Hunterdon County, NJ. What does it mean for you? For your family? For your job? For your future? What happens if you're convicted of a crime? How does having a criminal record affect you?
If you're facing criminal charges, these and other questions are likely flooding your mind. Indeed, from the moment of your arrest, you may experience significant disruptions to your life and that of your family—even more so if you're convicted. What can you expect? How can you prepare? Most importantly, what can you do to minimize the damage?
Joseph D. Lento is a New Jersey criminal defense attorney who has many years of experience defending clients in Hunterdon County courtrooms. The Lento Law Firm provides the following helpful information so you can have a better understanding of what it means to be charged with a crime, what the ramifications are, where you'll appear in court, and what can be done to improve your odds of a favorable outcome.
Being Charged with a Crime in Hunterdon County, NJ
From the time of your arrest until your trial, you need to be prepared for some possible changes to your everyday routine—even beyond the inconvenience of the arrest itself. The good news is that in almost all cases, there is no longer any bail requirement in New Jersey thanks to recent criminal reforms. But even so, your release is conditional, which means the judge may place certain “conditions” and restrictions on you pending your trial date. For example:
- You may be placed in the temporary custody of a friend, family member, or other designated individual.
- Your ability to travel may be restricted—especially out of state.
- You may be required to remain at your current job until the trial or to be actively seeking employment if unemployed.
- You may be given a curfew.
- You may be required to check in with a law enforcement officer regularly.
- If you're alleged crime involved violence against someone else, the judge may issue a restraining order against you forbidding contact with that person.
There are times when the judge will release you on your own recognizance without any further restrictions, and if so, your normal life may resume temporarily until your trial. On the other hand, if you're deemed a flight risk, the judge may still assign bail in certain cases or possibly keep you in custody until trial. A skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorney can negotiate on your behalf to keep any conditional restrictions at a minimum.
What to Expect if You Are Convicted
If your criminal charges in Hunterdon County, NJ result in a conviction, the impacts may be much farther reaching. First, you will have to deal with sentencing, which can include any combination of probation, fines, community service, and time in jail or prison. But the ramifications of conviction go even further. You should be prepared for any/all of the following:
- Financial difficulties for yourself and your family. You obviously can't make a living for your family if you're incarcerated—but even if you avoid jail time, the complications of being charged and convicted of a crime may jeopardize your job.
- Limited career prospects. Even after completing your sentence, a conviction may affect your career opportunities because of your criminal record. You may be prohibited from working certain types of jobs, and some employers won't hire you if a conviction shows up on your criminal background check.
- Limits on where you can live. For certain types of crimes (e.g., sex crimes, where you're placed on a sex offender registry), you may not be allowed to live in certain places or neighborhoods, or near schools or other places of business. In other cases, a criminal record may cause your rental application to be declined.
- Loss of custody of your children. If you are a single parent and are convicted of a crime, your children may go into foster care while you do your time in jail, and even if your children are co-parented, you may lose custody rights while in prison. A conviction may also be used against you in custody disputes.
Types of Crimes in New Jersey
New Jersey doesn't classify crimes as “misdemeanors” and “felonies” the way most other states do. Instead, it classifies crimes as either disorderly persons offenses or indictable offenses.
What Are Disorderly Persons Offenses in New Jersey?
Disorderly persons offenses in New Jersey are essentially the same thing as misdemeanors in other states. These so-called “minor” offenses generally call for lighter sentences and carry less weight than more serious crimes. Examples of disorderly persons offenses include:
- Disorderly conduct
- Shoplifting (under $200)
- Simple assault
- Resisting arrest
- Writing bad checks
- Harassment
If you're charged with a disorderly persons offense somewhere in Hunterdon County, you will be summoned to the Municipal Court for the jurisdiction where your alleged crime occurred, whether that's in Highbridge, Tewksbury, Franklin Township, or another city or town. Sentences for disorderly persons offenses are generally mild, usually consisting of some combination of probation, community service, and/or fines—especially for first-time offenders. However, in certain circumstances, you could face fines up to $1000 and no more than six months in jail. Again, having an experienced attorney can go a long way toward mitigating the penalties of conviction—and if circumstances warrant, your attorney may even be able to have some or all of the charges dismissed.
What Are Indictable Offenses in New Jersey?
New Jersey is one of only a few states in which prosecutors must obtain a grand jury indictment before charging you with any crime at the felony level. For this reason, felonies in New Jersey are appropriately called indictable offenses. Here are just a few common examples of indictable offenses in New Jersey:
- Marijuana possession (more than 6 ounces)
- Unlawful possession of a weapon
- Aggravated assault
- Armed robbery
- Burglary
- Lewdness
- Forgery
- Kidnapping
- Drug distribution
- Sexual assault/rape
- Manslaughter
- Homicide
Indictable offenses are charged as Fourth, Third, Second, and First Degree crimes, each carrying progressively harsher sentences. For example, a Fourth Degree offense carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and $10,000 in fines, while a First Degree offense could result in life imprisonment and fines up to $200,000.
Courts in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
The New Jersey court system follows a fairly simple yet effective structure, one that makes it easy to know which types of courts handle which cases. Let's dive into the types of courts you may encounter if charged with a crime in Hunterdon County.
Municipal Courts in Hunterdon County
Municipal Courts represent the lowest tier in the New Jersey court system, dealing with virtually all minor offenses ranging from traffic tickets to disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanors). These courts do not hold jury trials—instead, both prosecution and defense present their case before the Municipal Court Judge, who then renders a decision (and if applicable, pronounces sentence). Municipal Courts do not try indictable offenses (felonies), but they do host the preliminary hearings for these crimes to determine whether they should advance to trial.
Hunterdon County is served by 21 Municipal Court locations:
Bethlehem/Bloomsbury Joint Municipal Court
405 Mine Road, Asbury, NJ 08802
Phone: 908-735-4559
City of Lambertville Municipal Court
Phillip L. Pittore Justice Center
25 South Union Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Phone: 609-397-1335
Clinton Municipal Court
1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801
Phone: 908-735-3730
Clinton Township Municipal Court
1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801
Phone: 908-735-3730
Delaware Municipal Court
1070 Route 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551
Phone: 908-782-6855
East Amwell Joint Municipal Court
1070 Route 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551
Phone: 908-782-6855
Flemington Municipal Court
1 Municipal Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-782-5770
Franklin Township Municipal Court
1070 Route 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551
Phone: 908-782-6855
Glen Gardner Municipal Court
405 Mine Road, Asbury, NJ 08802
Phone: 908-735-4559
Hampton Borough Municipal Court
1 Municipal Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-782-8818
Kingwood Township Municipal Court
599 Oak Grove Road, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Phone: 908-996-0799
Lebanon Borough Municipal Court
405 Mine Road, Asbury, NJ 08802
Phone: 908-735-4559
Lebanon Township Municipal Court
60 Water Street, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Phone: 908-832-7684
Milford Municipal Court
599 Oak Grove Road, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Phone: 908-996-0799
Municipal Court of the Delaware Valley
61 Church Road, PO Box 496, Milford, NJ 08848
Phone: 908-995-9100
Raritan Township/Hampton Borough Joint Municipal Court
1 Municipal Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-782-8818
Readington Township Municipal Court
509 Route 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
Phone: 908-534-2414
Stockton Municipal Court
1070 Route 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551
Phone: 908-782-6855
Tewksbury Township Municipal Court
60 Water Street, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Phone: 908-832-7684
Union Township Municipal Court
1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801
Phone: 908-735-3730
West Amwell Municipal Court
150 Rocktown Lambertville Road, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Phone: 609-397-2027
Superior Courts in Hunterdon County
Superior Courts are the primary trial courts within the New Jersey court system. They hold jury trials for indictable offenses (felonies), as well as family law and civil cases. If you're charged with an indictable offense in Hunterdon County, your trial will take place at the Superior Court in Flemington:
Hunterdon County Superior Court
Hunterdon County Courthouse
65 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-824-9750
What if I Wish to Appeal a Verdict?
If you and your attorney believe you have sufficient reason that your trial was conducted erroneously or your verdict unfair, you have the right to appeal. Your attorney will submit the appeal first to the Appellate Division of Superior Court, and then, if applicable, to the New Jersey Supreme Court. These higher courts do not re-try cases, and no jury or witnesses will be called; they only review cases from the lower courts to ensure due process was served. The judges of the Appellate Division and Supreme Courts will only overturn verdicts or call for corrections if they see a legitimate reason to do so.
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
When you're accused of a crime in Hunterdon County, New Jersey—no matter how minor the offense—your choice of a criminal defense attorney may be crucial to the outcome of your case. Joseph D. Lento has many years of successful experience defending clients in Hunterdon County courtrooms. He understands how these courts, the prosecutors, and the judges work, and he knows how to position your defense for the best possible outcome. Don't take chances with your future; hire an attorney with a proven track record of success. Contact the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 today to learn more about how we can help.
