Harassment charges frequently come about a after bar fight, a neighborhood dispute, an instance of domestic violence, and circumstances in which individuals don’t care for each other and their contempt for one another has risen to the level of offensive behavior. If you or a loved one has been accused of harassment in South Amboy, New Jersey, the harassment defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall possess the expertise and experience to help you achieve the most favorable resolution to your case. Our team of harassment defense lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience defending clients who have been charged with harassment and even more serious criminal offenses. To consult with one of our expert harassment defense lawyers, call us at 732-210-9021.
What Constitutes Harassment in South Amboy, New Jersey?
The offense of harassment is set forth at N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4. An individual may be convicted for harassing someone in South Amboy if, with the purpose to harass, they:
a. Make, or cause to be made, a communication or communications anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours, or in offensively coarse language, or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm;
b. Subject another to striking, kicking, shoving, or other offensive touching, or threatens to do so; or
c. Engage in any other course of alarming conduct or of repeatedly committed acts with purpose to alarm or seriously annoy such other person.
Furthermore, 2C:33-4 makes it clear that this conduct can take place in person or by means of text messages, emails, phone calls, or a social networking website (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) In New Jersey, harassment is typically graded as a petty disorderly persons offense (a misdemeanor). Petty disorderly persons offenses in South Amboy are heard and tried in the South Amboy, NJ Municipal Court, located at 140 N Broadway St, South Amboy, NJ 08879, telephone number 732-525-5929.
An harassment charge may also be graded as a fourth-degree indictable offense (a felony) if the offense occurred while the defendant was on parole or probation for a prior indictable offense. In this instance, the charge will be heard and tried in the county Superior Court, where it will be subject to more severe penalties. If you are convicted of a petty disorderly persons offense for harassment, you will be exposed to the following potential penalties:
- 30 days in a county jail;
- Fines up to $500; and
- A criminal record for harassment.
A conviction for a fourth-degree indictable offense will expose you to:
- Up to 18 months in prison;
- Fines of up to $10,000; and
- A criminal record for harassment.
If the harassment charge is due to an instance of domestic violence, you may also subject to a temporary restraining order. A temporary restraining order will forbid you from having any contact with the alleged victim until a trial is held to determine whether the restraining order is necessary. If you happen to live with the alleged victim, this can mean that you will be unable to return to your home or have visitation with your children.
South Amboy Harassment Attorney
In addition to the criminal penalties, a conviction for harassment can put a severe strain on your life. It can seriously reduce your chance to secure a good job, tarnish your name, cause you to lose custody of your children, and make it hard for you to rent a house or an apartment. One effective way to fight a harassment charge is to get the charge downgraded to a municipal ordinance offense. A municipal ordinance offense is a non-criminal offense that will result in a small fine and no criminal record. If this strategy does not work out, we may decide to fight the case in court. If the state’s case against you is weak, the state’s witness(es) do not show up in court, or if the alleged victim decides not to testify, the charge will likely to be dropped, or you will be exonerated.
Contact The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall
If you or a loved one has been accused of harassment in South Amboy, New Jersey, call The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall to consult with an experienced harassment lawyer who can help to defend the charge, preserve your good name, and protect your future. Call us today at 732-210-9021, or contact us here 24/7.
