Resisting Arrest, Hindering, Obstruction or Eluding Offense
Seaside Heights: Criminal Defense Lawyers
The criminal defense attorneys at our law firm defend individual accused of resisting arrest offenses in Seaside Heights. In the experience of our attorneys, a charge of resisting arrest, hindering, obstruction or eluding is not written in isolation and is typically issued in tandem with other criminal charges. When police officers arrive at an emotionally charged scene, they can draw the wrong conclusion and an event can quickly escalate to where individuals and suspects are being thrown around and/or injured. Indeed, it is common for a defense lawyer to be confronted with an incident which was initially something very minor but mushroomed into assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges. These types of charges include definite jail exposure and it is therefore imperative that you enlist the services of criminal defense lawyer if you have been charged with resisting arrest. The attorneys at our law office, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have experience in handling resisting arrest charges in Seaside Heights and will give your case the attention it deserves. Our team of lawyers has years of experience handling cases in Seaside Heights and the surrounding communities and includes Jonathan F. Marshall, a former prosecutor in several local municipalities. If you have been arrested in Seaside Heights for resisting arrest, hindering, obstruction or eluding, a lawyer from the firm is prepared to speak to you immediately and schedule a free initial consultations if you desire.
A suspect arrested or charged with resisting arrest, hindering or eluding, is customarily charged under the New Jersey Criminal Code. N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2 is New Jersey’s resisting arrest statute and criminalizes an individual’s purposely preventing or attempting to prevent an arrest. It is a disorderly persons offense punishable for up to six (6) months in jail provided the suspect is not fleeing the officer. Where the situation escalates to a scenario where it is alleged that the resisting actually involved fleeing an officer, the offense is a Fourth Degree Crime punishable for up to eighteen (18) months in jail. Where there is an attempt or threat to cause bodily harm to the police officer, the offense is a Third Degree Crime punishable for up to five (5) years in jail. A conviction for resisting arrest in Seaside Heights will also involve a criminal record. A resisting arrest charge under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2 is obviously quite serious and it is important for those accused of this offense to retain a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer.
A hindering offense is based on N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3. That statute criminalizes conduct to harbor, conceal, aid, suppress, obstruct by force, or provide false information for the purpose of avoiding apprehension. A conviction under N.J.S.a. 2C:29-3 can range from a Third Degree Offense punishable for up to five (5) years in jail to a disorderly persons offense punishable for up to six (6) months in jail.
The obstruction statute is contained at N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1 and prohibits individuals from intentionally obstructing or hindering the administration of police work or function. A conviction for obstruction usually involves a disorderly persons offense which can result in up to six (6)months in jail but the offense may also be charged as a Fourth Degree Crime where the conduct purposely prevents investigation and/or prosecution of a crime. Our defense lawyers often have considerable success in defending this charge and we invite you to consult with one of our attorneys to discuss your particular case.
If you have been arrested for resisting arrest, hindering, obstruction, or eluding an officer, please do not hesitate to call our law firm today to discuss your case with one of our lawyers. An attorney from our office will take the time to explain the law and recommend the best course of action. Initial consultations with a defense lawyer are without charge.
