Woodbridge NJ Hindering Apprehension Lawyers
Hindering apprehension or prosecution is an offense that is closely related to resisting arrest and obstructing the administration of law. If you or a loved one has been charged with hindering anywhere in Middlesex County, the criminal lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, can help. Our defense team includes multiple former prosecutors who have decades of experience appearing in municipal courts like the one in Woodbridge, Piscataway, North Brunswick and Edison. We have also handled many hindering charges in the past, including while serving as prosecutors in various towns and at the county level. To discuss your offense with a lawyer at the firm, contact our Woodbridge Office at 732-751-4458.
Hindering Prosecution in NJ: N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3
N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3 governs hindering prosecution charges in New Jersey and reads in pertinent part:
§ 2C:29-3. Hindering apprehension or prosecution
a. A person commits an offense if, with purpose to hinder the detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction or punishment of another for an offense or violation of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes or a violation of chapter 33A of Title 17 of the Revised Statutes he:
- Harbors or conceals the other;
- Provides or aids in providing a weapon, money, transportation, disguise or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension or effecting escape;
- Suppresses, by way of concealment or destruction, any evidence of the crime, or tampers with a witness, informant, document or other source of information, regardless of its admissibility in evidence, which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a charge against him;
- Warns the other of impending discovery or apprehension, except that this paragraph does not apply to a warning given in connection with an effort to bring another into compliance with law;
- Prevents or obstructs, by means of force, intimidation or deception, anyone from performing an act which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a charge against him;
- Aids such person to protect or expeditiously profit from an advantage derived from such crime; or
- Gives false information to a law enforcement officer or a civil State investigator assigned to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor established by section 32 of P.L.1998, c.21.
An offense under paragraph (5) of subsection a. of this section is a crime of the second degree, unless the actor is a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union, parent or child to the person aided who is the victim of the offense, in which case the offense is a crime of the fourth degree. Otherwise, the offense is a crime of the third degree if the conduct which the actor knows has been charged or is liable to be charged against the person aided would constitute a crime of the second degree or greater, unless the actor is a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union, parent or child of the person aided, in which case the offense is a crime of the fourth degree. The offense is a crime of the fourth degree if such conduct would constitute a crime of the third degree. Otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense.
b. A person commits an offense if, with purpose to hinder his own detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction or punishment for an offense or violation of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes or a violation of chapter 33A of Title 17 of the Revised Statutes, he:
- Suppresses, by way of concealment or destruction, any evidence of the crime or tampers with a document or other source of information, regardless of its admissibility in evidence, which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
- Prevents or obstructs by means of force or intimidation anyone from performing an act which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
- Prevents or obstructs by means of force, intimidation or deception any witness or informant from providing testimony or information, regardless of its admissibility, which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or in the lodging of a charge against him; or (4) Gives false information to a law enforcement officer or a civil State investigator assigned to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor established by section 32 of P.L.1998, c.21.
An offense under paragraph (3) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the second degree. Otherwise, the offense is a crime of the third degree if the conduct which the actor knows has been charged or is liable to be charged against him would constitute a crime of the second degree or greater. The offense is a crime of the fourth degree if such conduct would constitute a crime of the third degree. Otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense.
Penalties for a Hindering Prosecution Charge in New Brunswick
Typically, hindering prosecution is a disorderly persons offense which results in a permanent criminal record and involves up to six (6) months incarceration. However, there are certain scenarios where a hindering prosecution charge is a third degree crime or fourth degree crime that must be sent to the Superior Court in New Brunswick for disposition. Third degree hindering carries fines that can reach $15,000 and up to 5 years in prison. Fourth degree hindering results in up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Metuchen Hindering Prosecution Defense Attorney
Hindering may not be the most common offense but it is written in Metuchen. If you are faced with this charge, it is crucial that you consult a defense attorney as soon as possible so that they can insure that your interests are fully protected. The lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are qualified to defend this violation with over 100 years in practice collectively. Whether your were charged in Metuchen, North Brunswick, Milltown, South River or another municipality in Middlesex County, we have the expertise necessary to protect you. Call our Piscataway Office anytime 24/7 for a free consultation at 732-392-7202.
