Classes of Offenses in New Jersey

Classes of Criminal Offenses in New Jersey

It is the experience of our attorneys that clients are sometimes confused as to the severity of the crime which they have been charged with. As the subsequent statute illustrates, disorderly persons offenses are similar to what are called “misdemeanors” in other jurisdictions. They are handled in municipal court and are punishable by up to 6 months incarceration, $1000 in fines, probation, and community service. They include offenses such as simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct.

Indictable offenses, commonly known as felonies in other jurisdictions, are more severe charges. They are accompanied by the right to indictment by grand jury and are punishable by up to years in prison, depending upon the grading of the offense, which can be of the first, second, third, or fourth degrees. In Ocean County, these cases will be heard in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River. These charges include crimes such as aggravated assault, various weapons charges, and terroristic threats.

For more information on how New Jersey classifies crimes, please read the following statute:

§ 2C:1-4. Classes of offenses

a. An offense defined by this code or by any other statute of this State, for which a sentence of imprisonment in excess of 6 months is authorized, constitutes a crime within the meaning of the Constitution of this State. Crimes are designated in this code as being of the first, second, third or fourth degree.

b. An offense is a disorderly persons offense if it is so designated in this code or in a statute other than this code. An offense is a petty disorderly persons offense if it is so designated in this code or in a statute other than this code. Disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offenses are petty offenses and are not crimes within the meaning of the Constitution of this State. There shall be no right to indictment by a grand jury nor any right to trial by jury on such offenses. Conviction of such offenses shall not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction of a crime.

Indictable Offense Lawyers in Ocean County NJ

At the William Proetta Criminal Law, we are experienced in handling disorderly persons offenses and indictable offenses through New Jersey and Ocean County municipal court and in Ocean County Superior Court. Furthermore, we capably handle expungements for indictable offenses as well as expungements for disorderly persons offenses. If you are looking for legal assistance for your criminal charge, please contact us at 732.494.7900 for a free consultation or visit our conveniently located Toms River Office.