Being charged with a crime in Ocean County, NJ, can be highly disruptive to many aspects of your life, including your job, your family, not to mention your freedom. If you are convicted, the ramifications only get worse. Even minor crimes can result in fines, jail time, income issues, and much more. If you've recently been arrested or summoned to court, you may feel concerns about your uncertain future. What can I do to defend myself against the charges? How does this charge affect my job, my family, my criminal record? What if I go to jail? What will become of my children?
Knowledge is power, so to help alleviate some of these uncertainties, the Lento Law Firm has compiled the following information about defending against criminal charges in Ocean County. We'll discuss what to expect before your trial, the ramifications of a conviction, and, most importantly, what you can do to improve your chances for a more positive outcome.
Being Charged with a Crime in Ocean County, NJ
Even before your case goes to trial, you need to be prepared to make some adjustments in your life after you've been arrested or charged with a crime. Although bail requirements have pretty much been eliminated in the State of New Jersey thanks to criminal justice reforms, your release from jail pending your trial is still considered conditional. If you're released on your own recognizance, life can basically return to normal until your trial date. However, in many cases, the judge may place certain restrictions or conditions upon your release. For example:
- You may be required to check in with local law enforcement periodically.
- You may be given limits on where and when you can travel.
- You may be required to limit or avoid alcohol intake.
- You may be placed in the custody of a designated person until your trial date.
- You may be given a curfew.
- You may be required to be gainfully employed (or actively seek employment, if you are unemployed.
- You may be hit with a restraining order forbidding you to contact certain family members or loved ones—particularly if your alleged crime involved that person.
In cases where the defendant is deemed a “flight risk,” the judge may still assign bail in certain instances—or they may simply require you to stay in custody until your trial (“pre-trial detention”). Regardless of the possible limitations, a good criminal defense attorney can work on your behalf to minimize these limitations and disruptions pending your trial.
Ramifications of Being Convicted?
If your criminal charges result in a conviction, the consequences may only get worse for you. If convicted, you may expect any/all of the following to happen:
- Sentencing that may include probation, fines, community service, and/or jail time.
- Financial challenges for yourself and your family. Obviously, if you're incarcerated, you can't earn a living—but even if you avoid jail, the complications surrounding your arrest and conviction may jeopardize your job.
- Limitations on future job prospects. Having a conviction on your record may prohibit you from working at certain jobs. In addition, some employers run a criminal background check on prospective employees, and they may be reluctant to hire someone with a conviction.
- Custody issues. In some cases, a criminal conviction can be used against you in custody disputes over your children. In other cases, your custody and/or visitation rights may even be revoked.
Categories of Crimes in New Jersey
New Jersey is different from most states in that it doesn't classify crimes as “misdemeanors” and “felonies.” Instead, it uses the term disorderly persons offenses for misdemeanors and indictable offenses for felonies. Let's talk a bit more about the differences.
What Are Disorderly Persons Offenses?
Disorderly persons offenses in New Jersey carry the same weight and similar penalties as misdemeanors in other states. These are considered “minor” offenses that typically include mild sentences. Examples include:
- Simple assault
- Resisting arrest
- Disorderly conduct
- Obstruction
- Shoplifting (small dollar amount)
- Harassment
- Writing bad checks
In Ocean County, NJ, if you're charged with a disorderly persons offense, you will be summoned to the Municipal Court for the jurisdiction in which the alleged crime occurred, whether in Toms River, Plumsted Township, Harvey Cedars, etc. Most disorderly persons offenses receive penalties such as probation, community service, and small fines, but you can still be fined up to $1000 and serve up to six months in jail for these types of crimes. If you have an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney representing you, the attorney may be able to negotiate at this stage for lighter sentencing and possibly even dismissal of the charges.
Indictable Offenses in New Jersey
Felony-level crimes are called indictable offenses in New Jersey, in part because New Jersey is one of only a few states that requires a grand jury indictment for any and all felonies. In Ocean County, trials for indictable offenses take place at the Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River.
Examples of indictable offenses in New Jersey include the following:
- Aggravated assault
- Arson
- Armed robbery
- Drug distribution
- Sexual assault/rape
- Marijuana possession (more than 6 ounces)
- Manslaughter
- Homicide
Indictable offenses are classified as Fourth, Third, Second, and First Degree offenses, each carrying progressively harsher sentences. If you're convicted of a Fourth Degree offense, the maximum penalty is 18 months in prison and fines up to $10,000. For a First Degree offense, you may receive up to life in prison and fines up to $200,000.
Courts in Ocean County, New Jersey
The straightforward configuration of the New Jersey court system makes it fairly easy to know which courts will handle certain types of crimes. Let's give an overview of the types of courts in Ocean County you may encounter.
Municipal Courts in Ocean County
Municipal Courts represent the lowest rung of the ladder in the New Jersey court system. They deal primarily with minor offenses (like traffic tickets) as well as virtually all disorderly persons offenses. These courts also host preliminary hearings for indictable offenses before sending these cases up the ladder to Superior Court for trial. Municipal Courts do not hold jury trials; both sides simply present their case to the judge for a ruling and/or sentencing.
As one of New Jersey's most populous counties, Ocean County is served by 32 Municipal Court locations:
Barnegat Light Municipal Court
6805 Long Beach Boulevard, Brant Beach, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-361-6661
Barnegat Township Municipal Court
900 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat, NJ 08005
Phone: 609-698-0080 ext. 110
Bay Head Municipal Court
83 Bridge Avenue, Bay Head, NJ 08742
Phone: 732-892-4737
Beach Haven Municipal Court
300 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-492-0111 ext. 228
Beachwood Municipal Court
1600 Pinewald Road, Beachwood, NJ 08722
Phone: 732-286-6000 ext. 120
Berkeley Township Municipal Court
631 Pinewald-Keswick Road, PO Box B, Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: 732-240-6661
Brick Township Municipal Court
401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, NJ 08723
Phone: 732-262-1226
Eagleswood Township Municipal Court
665 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Phone: 609-296-7241
Harvey Cedars Municipal Court
7606 Long Beach Boulevard, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-494-9026
Island Heights Municipal Court
One Wanamaker Municipal Complex
PO Box 797, Island Heights, NJ 08732
Jackson Township Municipal Court
102 Jackson Drive, Jackson, NJ 08527
Phone: 732-928-1205
Lacey Township Municipal Court
818 West Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Phone: 609-693-1100 ext. 2262
Lakehurst Municipal Court
5 Union Avenue, Lakehurst, NJ 08733
Phone: 732-657-4151
Lakewood Municipal Court
231 3rd Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Phone: 732-364-2500 ext. 5988
Lavallette Municipal Court
Lavallette Municipal Building
1306 Grand Central Avenue, Lavallette, NJ 08735
Little Egg Harbor Municipal Court
665 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Phone: 609-296-7241
Long Beach Township Municipal Court
6805 Long Beach Boulevard, Brant Beach, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-361-1000
Manchester Township Municipal Court
1 Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ 08759
Phone: 732-657-8121 ext. 3400
Mantoloking Municipal Court
340 Drum Point Road, Brick, NJ 08738
Phone: 732-475-7398
Ocean Gate Municipal Court
801 Ocean Gate Avenue, Ocean Gate, NJ 08740
Phone: 732-269-3166 ext. 22
Ocean Township Municipal Court
50 Railroad Avenue, Waretown, NJ 08758
Phone: 609-693-3332
Pine Beach Municipal Court
599 Pennsylvania Avenue, PO Box 425, Pine Beach, NJ 08741
Phone: 732-349-6453
Plumsted Township Municipal Court
121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Phone: 609-758-2241 ext. 117
Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Court
2233 Bridge Avenue, PO Box 25, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Phone: 732-899-1636
Point Pleasant Municipal Court
2233 Bridge Avenue, PO Box 25, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Phone: 732-899-1636
Seaside Heights Municipal Court
116 Sherman Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Phone: 732-830-2202
Seaside Park Municipal Court
George E. Tompkins Municipal Complex
116 Sherman Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Ship Bottom Municipal Court
1621 Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-494-2171 ext. 118
South Toms River Municipal Court
19 Double Trouble Road, South Toms River, NJ 08757
Phone: 732-349-1141
Stafford Township Municipal Court
260 East Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Phone: 609-597-1000
Surf City Municipal Court
813 Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-494-3984
Toms River Municipal Court
255 Oak Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-797-3914
Tuckerton Municipal Court
420 East Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
Phone: 609-296-2036
Superior Courts in Ocean County
As the primary trial courts in the New Jersey court system, Superior Courts hold jury trials for all indictable offenses, as well as family law and civil suits. If you're charged with an indictable offense in Ocean County, your trial will take place at the criminal division of the Ocean County Superior Court:
Ocean County Superior Court
Ocean County Justice Complex
120 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-929-2042
Appeals Court/NJ Supreme Court
If you and/or your attorney feel your verdict was unfair in Municipal or Superior Court, you have the right to appeal. Your attorney will first appeal your case to the Appellate Division of Superior Court, and then, if applicable, at the New Jersey Supreme Court. In both of these court types, no witnesses are called or jury selected, and you will not appear. Your attorney will file written briefs and possibly present oral arguments, but these sessions exist only for reviewing cases for errors. The judges will overturn the verdict or submit corrections only if they see a legitimate reason to do so.
Criminal Defense Attorney in Ocean County, New Jersey
Since so much is at stake when you are accused of a crime in New Jersey, your choice of a New Jersey criminal defense attorney can make a huge difference in the outcome. Joseph D. Lento has extensive experience in the courts in New Jersey, and he has a long track record of success defending his clients against charges in all these courts. If you've been accused of a crime in Ocean County, New Jersey, call the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 today to learn more about how we can help.
