Cherry Hill NJ Harassment Defense Attorney
There are countless harassment charges filed throughout Camden County each year. This should not be shocking, however, given how broadly N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 (“Harassment”) is written. It is written in a manner that allows it to be applied in an array of situations including the use of offensive language, aggressive and violent behavior, unwanted touching or other scenarios of improper behavior. A conviction for harassment in any form is a disorderly persons offense that results in a criminal record that can damage your reputation and ability to secure employment, a professional license, citizenship or other endeavors in the future. This is why it is important to hire a skilled defense attorney to defend your charge in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Laurel Springs, Gloucester Township or Haddon Heights. The lawyers at Jonathan F. Marshall are here to serve you in this role. We are a team of eight criminal lawyers, several of whom are former prosecutors, who have been defending those charged with a harassment offense for over 100 years between us. To speak to a lawyer on our staff in a free initial consultation, contact our Cherry Hill Office at 856-662-8300.
Harassment Charge in Camden County, New Jersey
Someone can face a harassment charge if their conduct falls into one of three prohibited categories. The first is making improper or offensive communication. The second category of harassment involves shoving or other forms of unwanted touching. And the third and final form of harassing conduct is repeated acts that are alarming. The pivotal point to be made in this regard is that N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 cannot be violated in any of these three manners unless the conduct was undertaken with the purpose to harass. Harassment of the victim must be intended in order for the offense to be committed. The following is some additional information which you may find helpful if you are being accused of harassing someone.
- Improper Communication. A communication violates 2C:33-4 when it is made with the purpose to harass and is made anonymously, at extremely inconvenient hours, involves offensively coarse language or is otherwise made in a manner which is likely to cause annoyance or alarm.
- Offensive Touching. The statutes indicate that it applies to situations of “striking, kicking, shoving, or another offensive touching, or threatens to do so”. A simple assault charge is a common companion offense to this form of harassment although the intent must be to cause bodily injury as opposed to harass in order for that violation to be triggered. This is why harassment is often used as a lack of offense in a situation where physical contact is alleged.
- Alarming Acts or Conduct. When someone engages in a course of misconduct with the purpose of causing alarm or serious annoyance, they may be convicted of harassment as well. Case law has limited this category of offense to situations where the conduct is to provoke a serious level of alarm or annoyance.
The penalties that may be imposed at the time of sentencing on a harassment charge include up to thirty (30) days in jail, a $500 fine, mandatory assessments for the Safe Neighborhood Services Fund and Victims of Crime Compensation Board, $33 in court costs and a driver’s license suspension of up to two (2) years. These penalties are in addition to the consequences triggered as the result of a restraining order issued because the misconduct allegedly involved an act of domestic violence.
Berlin Harassment Lawyer
If you are looking for a lawyer to defend a harassment charge in Berlin New Jersey or other municipality, you are encouraged to contact our office. Our team of attorneys represents clients charged with harassment throughout Camden County, including not only Berlin but towns like Audubon, Gibbsboro, Pennsauken, Camden and Bellmawr. We will analyze the facts of your harassment case and present your strongest arguments against the charge including that you did not commit the act, it did not rise to the level of harassing behavior and/or that you lacked an intent/purpose to harass. Our team of lawyers has extensive experience in this area and undertake whatever is necessary to ensure you have every opportunity for a favorable outcome. A lawyer on our staff is available now at 856-662-8300.
