Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4, a Harassment charge is a petty disorderly persons offense. Harassment charges typically stem from a dispute between two private citizens. When one of these individuals takes his or her conduct to certain level annoyance, Harassment charges will ensue. If you are arrested and issued a summons complaint about your Harassment charges then you may also have been told that there is a No Contact Order in place between you and the alleged victim. If that is the case, it is imperative that you avoid future contact with the victim as any failure to obey this order could result in further contempt charges by the court. If you or someone you love have arrested and charged with Harassment, you should consult with an Atlantic County Criminal Attorney. If convicted, you could be sentenced to thirty (30) days in the Atlantic County Jail and a permanent criminal record. For immediate consultation on how best to defend against your criminal charges in Atlantic City, Mullica, Margate City, Brigantine, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway or Buena Vista, contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. Our Atlantic County Criminal Defense Firm has over 100 years of legal experience and former New Jersey Prosecutors on staff. We have the resources and experience necessary to find the holes in the State’s case and negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf. Contact our Atlantic County Office at 855-450-8310 today and speak with receive your free initial consultation with a criminal attorney.
Harassment Charges Explained
According to NJ law, harassment is generally considered a petty disorderly persons offense. As per NJ Statutes §2C:43-8, conviction for harassment may result in a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail. Additionally, fines or community service may also be imposed as penalties.
At its core, Harassment charges may only be filed if the defendant had an intent to harass another and that one of the three following activities occurred:
- Communications
The first type of proscribed behavior involves communications to another. These include anonymous communications, communications made at extremely inconvenient hours or in offensively coarse language or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm. Essentially, using phone, email, social media or any other form of communication to disrupt, annoy or offend another will qualify under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4. - Striking, Kicking, Offensive Touching
The second type of proscribed behavior for this Harassment offense is striking, kicking, shoving, other offensive touching or threatening to do so. This type of behavior is less often charged as Harassment but instead as Simple Assault. Where there is no actual bodily injury from the striking, kicking, or offensive touching, then Harassment charges are appropriate instead of Simple Assault. - Alarming Conduct or Repeated Acts
The third type of proscribed harassment behavior is engaging in any other course of alarming conduct or of repeatedly committing acts with a purpose to alarm or seriously annoy another person. You, as the defendant, must have a purpose to alarm or seriously annoy.
Harassment Penalties in Egg Harbor Township NJ
Unless the Harassment charges pending against you are later enhanced to Simple Assault, Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats or occurred while you were on parole/probation, you will be facing a disorderly persons offense. As such, a conviction for Harassment will carry up to thirty (30) days in the Atlantic County Jail, excessive fines and penalties, a no-contact order, as well as a permanent criminal record.
Arrested For Harassment in Somers Point NJ
If you or a family member have been arrested and charged with Harassment and have an upcoming arraignment or court date, it can only benefit you to speak with a criminal attorney. Learning exactly what it is you are faced with and how you can mitigate your exposure to criminal penalties will benefit you. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is a New Jersey Criminal Law Firm that has the resources and experience required to advocate for individuals facing criminal charges. Our firm will make the necessary discovery requests and assess the exposure you are facing on your charges. We will also negotiate with the Prosecutor on your behalf in an attempt to obtain a downgrade or outright dismissal of your charges. To consult with one of our attorneys, contact us at 855-450-8310 today and let us help take some of the pressure off your shoulders that these criminal charges have caused.
