Our Highly Skilled Former Prosecutors Have Over 200 Years Experience Defending Harassment Charges
A fairly common disorderly persons offense in Hunterdon County is harassment. This charge crops up in many contexts although domestic violence seems to be the most frequently encountered setting. Irrespective of why you were charged with harassment in a town like Raritan, Union Township, Clinton or Readington, it is imperative that you retain an attorney who is skilled in defending harassment charges. This is exactly what you will secure by retaining the lawyers at our firm.
We are the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, a powerhouse criminal firm that has been serving Hunterdon County for decades. In fact, the attorneys on our 10 member team have over 200 years of experience, including years serving as prosecutors at both the county and municipal court level. A Hunterdon County Criminal Lawyer on our staff is prepared to fight as long and as hard as it takes to ensure you reach the very best outcome in your harassment case. Call 908-824-0855 now for an immediate free consultation.
Harassment Charge in Hunterdon County
Harassment is typically a petty disorderly persons offense in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4. The charge mushrooms into a fourth degree crime, however, if the defendant is in prison or on either probation or parole for an indictable criminal offense (i.e. crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree). If you are facing a New Jersey harassment offense in Lambertville, Tewksbury, or East Amwell, the prosecutor will have to prove certain elements to convict you. First and foremost, the state must establish, beyond reasonable doubt, that the accused engaged in conduct for the purpose to harass. The second thing that must be proven is that the conduct involved:
- Making or causing a communication anonymously, at extremely inconvenient hours or in offensively course language that is likely to cause annoyance or alarm;
- Striking, kicking, shoving, offensive touching or threats of this nature; or
- A course of alarming conduct or repeated acts intended to cause alarm or serious annoyance.
Penalties for Harassment. A municipal court judge in Bethlehem, East Amwell, Lebanon or another town in Hunterdon County can impose penalties that include a $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, probation, community service and even a driver’s license suspension.
Conditional Dismissal. The diversion program that allows someone to avoid a disorderly persons offense such as harassment is called conditional dismissal. An individual must have no prior diversion on his/her record and complete one (1) year of probation in order to obtain this relief.
Domestic Violence. A common scenario for harassment is domestic violence, in other words, a situation where the defendant and victim shared some time of relationship that falls under the NJ Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (i.e. boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband, etc.). A defendant may be the subject of not only a criminal case for harassment, but also a restraining order hearing.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall defends individuals charged with harassment throughout Hunterdon County, Clinton Township, Readington, Flemington, Raritan, Union Township, East Amwell, Lebanon, Tewksbury, Bethlehem, Franklin Township, Alexandria, West Amwell, Hampton, Delaware Township, Holland, Lambertville, High Bridge, Glen Gardner, Frenchtown, Milford, Califon, Bloomsbury and Stockton.
Flemington NJ Harassment Offense Attorney
Harassment is a much more common criminal charge than you might envision. Our attorneys know this all too well as members of what may be the largest defense firm in the state. If you were charged with harassment in Flemington or another municipality in Hunterdon County, we definitely know what it takes to avoid a conviction. Skills in defending harassment charges and a commitment to fighting for the best resolution in your case is precisely what a lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall shall provide. To speak to an attorney about the facts of your offense and how we can help you, contact our Flemington Office at 908-824-0855.
