Charged With Harassment in Rahway New Jersey
Harassment is a much more common criminal charge in the City of Rahway that is often thought. The offense is filed in a wide range of scenarios including neighborhood conflicts, disagreements between coworkers and even in the context of domestic violence in Rahway. Irrespective of the fact pattern that resulted in your being charged with harassment in Rahway, you need to know what you are up against and can be done to help you avoid a conviction. Our attorneys, several of whom are former prosecutors, are prepared to assist you in this role. We have over 100 years of combined experience defending harassment charges in Union County, including in Rahway New Jersey. To speak to a lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall about the facts of your Rahway harassment offense, contact our office anytime 24/7. An attorney is available immediately at 908-272-1700 to assist you.
Harassment Offense in Rahway New Jersey
Your guilt or innocence for harassment will hinge on whether you violated N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4. An individual commits harassment if, with the purpose to harass, they: (1) make or cause a communication anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours, or in offensively coarse language, or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm; (2) strike, kick, shove, engage in offensive touching or threats to do so; and (3) engage in a course of alarming conduct or repeated acts with purpose to alarm or seriously annoy.
Harassment is typically a disorderly persons offense that falls under the jurisdiction of the Rahway Municipal Court. While this type of harassment charge is the equivalent of a misdemeanor, it can nevertheless result in serious penalties. You can be fined up to $500, sent to the county jail for up to 30 days, placed on probation and can even have your driver’s license suspended.
A harassment charge escalates to a fourth degree crime if 2C:33-4 is violated by someone who is on probation or parole for an indictable crime. The penalties for fourth degree harassment includes up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
There are two diversion programs that allow an individual to avoid a conviction for harassment. Conditional dismissal applies to first offenders who are facing a disorderly persons offense for harassment and Pretrial Intervention is for indictable offenses. The guidelines for admission and successfully completion of these programs are strict so you are highly advised to consult an attorney if you want to avail yourself of either program.
Rahway Harassment Defense Attorney
Harassment can have a significant impact on your life in many respects. A conviction will result in a record that can effect your ability to secure employment, maintain immigration status, obtain a professional license and in other respects. To insure that you have every opportunity to avoid consequences like these for harassing calls, texts, email or social media posts (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc.), you need to retain a defense attorney with the know-how to help you. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have exactly that with over a century of combined experience fighting harassment charges. For a free consultation with a seasoned criminal lawyer immediately, call 908-272-1700. Attorneys are ready now to assist you.
