A criminal offense in New Jersey is a serious charge that can have serious implications including jail or prison time, probation, community service, and a permanent charge on your record. Depending on the severity of your charge, your case may be handled in Superior Court (for felony or indictable charges) or Municipal Court (for misdemeanors or disorderly persons offenses). In addition, you may be eligible for first time offender programs such as the pre-trial intervention program or a conditional discharge depending on the charges and your record (if any). Finally, for repeat drug offenders, you may be eligible for Drug Court which helps people with drug problems to keep them out of jail and puts them in an intense probation situation with rehab. Whatever your charges are I likely have first hand experience and can help so please reach out for a free consultation.

The New Jersey statute that governs degrees is N.J.S.A.. 2C:43-1 and it provides below:

• 2C:43-1. Degrees of crimes

1. Crimes defined by this code are classified, for the purpose of sentence, into four degrees, as follows:

(1) Crimes of the first degree;

(2) Crimes of the second degree;

(3) Crimes of the third degree; and

(4) Crimes of the fourth degree.

A crime is of the first, second, third or fourth degree when it is so designated by the code. An offense, declared to be a crime, without specification of degree, is of the fourth degree.

If your charge is not defined as a crime above, then it is usually a disorderly persons offense which is a misdemeanor type charge. First, second, third, and fourth degree crimes are all indictable (felony) level charges that must be handled in the Superior Court in the county in which you were charged. These types of charges must be presented to a grand jury for an indictment for the case to proceed.

I have handled offenses ranging across all degrees. Some examples are below.

• Murder (Homicide)
• Rape
• Armed Robbery
• Manslaughter
• Kidnapping
• Aggravated Arson
• Large Quantity Drug Distribution
• Aggravated Assault
• Sexual Assault
• Robbery
• Unlawful Firearm Possession
• Burglary Involving Injury or Threat of Violence
• Drug Distribution
• Shoplifting Over $75,000 in Stolen Goods
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Burglary
• Arson
• Some DUI Charges
• Criminal Restraint
• Forgery
• Criminal Trespassing
• Stalking
• Criminal Mischief
• Possession of Controlled Substance

If you have been are in need of an attorney please reach out to me for a free consultation as soon as possible.