If you have been charged with a disorderly persons offense in Union County, New Jersey, you may feel a rush of relief when you learn that this is a relatively minor charge. But did you know that if you are convicted, even of the lowest level disorderly persons offense charge, you will have a criminal record? When anyone, such as a prospective landlord or employer, runs a criminal background check on you, that conviction will pop up. And if convicted, you will also face the likelihood of jail time and fines.
If you are charged with any offense that can lead to a conviction, including a disorderly persons offense, you should seek the counsel of a qualified defense attorney. The Lento Law Firm has extensive experience throughout Union County and New Jersey defending clients facing these types of charges, and they can help you. The Lento Criminal Defense Team will guide you through the process of responding to the charges, and they may be able to help you avoid the maximum penalties or even make the case to have the charges dismissed.
The Criminal Law Team at Lento Law Firm is committed to protecting your rights. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form to arrange a consultation.
What is a Disorderly Persons Offense in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, examples of a disorderly persons offense include harassment, simple assault, possession of small amounts of marijuana, resisting arrest, and theft or shoplifting of items valued at $200 or less. A defendant facing these charges would face a bench trial before a municipal court judge; no jury is present. This differs from many other states in the U.S., where it is common for disorderly persons offenses to be classified as misdemeanors, and if the case goes to trial, a jury decides the verdict. New Jersey also has a petty disorderly persons offense category, which includes crimes like disorderly conduct and trespassing.
A charge for a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey may be elevated to an indictable offense depending on the circumstances, such as high value of the items stolen or the degree of injury to any alleged victims. New Jersey's indictable offense category is like the felony category in many other states: There are four degrees of crimes, and they range from crimes like kidnapping, rape, and murder, which are indictable offenses of the first degree, down to fourth-degree offenses such as criminal trespassing or money laundering.
Is a Disorderly Persons Offense Considered a Crime in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, a disorderly persons offense does not require a grand jury indictment or a jury trial, two of the criteria for meeting the state's definition of crime. The consequences in New Jersey for conviction for a disorderly persons offense are like those that apply to a misdemeanor conviction in other states: The defendant may be fined or incarcerated, and the conviction can appear in criminal background checks.
Prosecuting Disorderly Persons Offenses in Union County, New Jersey
There are twenty-one municipalities in Union County, New Jersey, each with its own municipal court. For example, the Elizabeth Municipal Court is located at 1 Police Plaza in Elizabeth in northeast Union County. If you are charged with a disorderly persons offense, your case will be heard in the municipal court that serves the municipality where the alleged offense occurred. Each court has its own processes and procedures for bench trials, which may include the option for online proceedings.
At your first appearance in court for a disorderly persons offense, the prosecutor will present charges against you. Your attorney may either submit a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest, or they may try to negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf. It is also possible for your attorney to ask the court to dismiss or reduce the charges, adjourn the trial to a later date, or ask that you participate in a diversionary program; if you complete it successfully, your charges may be dismissed, and no conviction will appear on your criminal record. If you plead not guilty, the prosecutor will present the case against you, and your attorney will respond with your defense. Either side may present evidence, testimony, and witnesses. After both sides rest, the judge will render a verdict.
Consequences of a Conviction
While a conviction for a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey does not include serving time in state prison as a penalty, you may be sentenced to up to six months in the Union County jail and be required to pay a fine of $1,000. If you are convicted of a petty disorderly persons offense, possible consequences are a sentence of up to thirty days in jail and a fine of up to $500. Other possible penalties include probation and community service. Any conviction will appear on your criminal record.
How the Lento Law Firm Can Assist You
Being convicted of a disorderly persons offense in Union County will follow you for the rest of your life—it will appear on your criminal record, which may cause problems when you apply for a job or a loan. To ensure the best possible outcome in your case, retain the Lento Law Firm. The Lento Criminal Defense Team has represented clients like you facing charges for disorderly persons offenses throughout Union County and in New Jersey's twenty other counties, and we have both the legal knowledge and experience with the New Jersey court system to provide the defense you deserve. Let our Criminal Defense Team manage all aspects of your case, including the following:
- Review and evaluation of the charges you face for development of a robust defense strategy;
- Negotiation with the prosecutor or judge to reduce or dismiss the charges against you or reduce the penalties;
- Assistance with your applications to diversionary programs such as Pre-Trial Intervention or Conditional Discharge.
Call Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
