Charged With Harassment in Metuchen New Jersey
Call A Former Metuchen Prosecutor at Our Firm to Defend Your Harassment Offense
An argument, text war, aggressive telephone conversation or any number of other occurrences has the potential to mushroom into a Metuchen harassment offense. If you were charged with harassment in Metuchen New Jersey, you are facing a criminal charge that can result in not only a record by jail. An experienced Metuchen harassment lawyer is going to provide you with the best opportunity for avoiding a the penalties and negative consequences of a conviction.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have more than a century of collective experience defending clients in Metuchen Municipal Court. One of the lawyers on our staff has even served as prosecutor in the jurisdiction. To obtain a free consultation and sound legal guidance regarding your Metuchen harassment charge, contact our office. An attorney is available around the clock to speak to you.
Harassment Offense in Metuchen New Jersey
The offense of harassment is defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4. This criminal charge arises when someone engages in the following conduct with the intention to harass another:
- Makes or causes to be made, communications at extremely inconvenient times or anonymously, or using offensively coarse language to annoy or alarm the person.
- Kicks, shoves, strikes or touches another in an offensive manner or threatens another.
- Engages in a course of conduct intended to alarm or to seriously annoy another person.
The number and frequency of text messages, telephone calls and emails is typically what distinguishes a violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 from non-criminal activities. It is important to keep in mind that a criminal charge is nothing more than an allegation or accusation. You are not guilty of committing harassment unless the Metuchen prosecutor presents evidence proving each of the elements of the offense as contained in the statute, including establishing that the actor possessed an intention to harass. A savvy Metuchen criminal lawyer at our firm will analyze all the evidence and formulate an insightful strategy that exploits weaknesses in the state’s case while persuasively presenting your side of the matter.
You should also know that harassment can result in issuance of a restraining order when the New Jersey Prevention of Domestic Violence Act applies. This occurs when the “victim” is someone covered by N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19, including a current or former spouse or someone the accused dated. For more information on this subject, you can refer to our Metuchen domestic violence page.
Metuchen Harassment Penalties
Harassment is a petty disorderly persons offense punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of as much as $500. If you commit the offense while you are on probation or parole or while serving a prison or jail sentence for an indictable offense, you could be charged with harassment as an indictable crime of the fourth degree. A conviction can land you in prison for up to 18 months and result in a fine that can reach $10,000. If the incident involves domestic violence, the actor can also be exposed to the consequences of a temporary restraining order.
Metuchen Harassment Defense Attorney
A harassment defense attorney at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is committed to protecting you against the penalties and consequences of a conviction. A petty disorderly persons offense in New Jersey is the equivalent of a misdemeanor in other states and will leave you with a criminal record that can be seen by anyone performing a background check. It is therefore prudent to do every in your power to avert a guilty finding and a skilled lawyer is going to provide this opportunity. If you would like to speak to one of the lawyers at our law firm immediately, call 732-246-7126. Attorneys are ready 24/7 to provide the sound advice you need.
Related Metuchen Pages & Posts
