A harassment offense can arise in Roselle Park under any number of circumstances. Perhaps you were angry after being fired from your job and sent some objectionable texts. Another common scenario is repeated calls to an ex girlfriend or spouse. Irrespective of the manner in which the charge arose, you need to prepare a thorough defense or you will be exposed to serious consequences. Selection of the right lawyer to defend you is the biggest decision you can make if you want to equip yourself with the tools to avoid a conviction.
The harassment defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are tough and resourceful litigators with a proven track record in Roselle Park Municipal Court and elsewhere in Union County. The staff at our office includes eight lawyers, several of whom have served as prosecutors, that have over a century of collective experience defending harassment charges. If you have been arrested or charged with harassment, call us today at (908) 272-1700 to speak t an attorney in a free initial consultation.
Harassment Offense in Roselle Park New Jersey
Harassment is a crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4. The conduct the law prohibits includes:
- Making or causing to be made communications at extremely inconvenient times or communicating anonymously with another person or using offensively coarse language to annoy or alarm the person.
- Kicking, shoving, striking or offensive touching committed or threatened against another person.
- Engaging in a course of conduct intended to alarm or to seriously annoy another person.
When directed against someone protected under the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19, harassment becomes domestic violence. The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act applies when the victim is your spouse or former spouse, child, parent, a person who is the parent of your child or someone you were dating. For additional information on this subject, you can refer to Roselle Park Domestic Violence.
As a domestic violence incident under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19, a judge has the power to issue a restraining order to protect the victim from further harm. Restraining orders can prevent you from communicating, having contact, visiting or living with the victim. A violation of a restraining order can result in your arrest on a criminal contempt charge that is in addition to the harassment charges.
Penalties for a Roselle Park Harassment Charge
N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 makes harassment a petty disorderly persons offense, the equivalent of a misdemeanor in other states. Penalties could include fines up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. Under the following circumstances, harassment charges can be indictable offenses with increased penalties:
- Harassment committed by someone who is on probation or parole for an indictable offense is a crime of the fourth degree punishable by fines and up to 18 months in prison.
- A person serving a jail or prison sentence for any indictable offense under state or federal law who engages in acts prohibited by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 can be charged with harassment as an indictable crime of the fourth degree and sentenced to fines and up to 18 months in prison.
Whether the charge is a petty disorderly persons offense or an indictable offense, an harassment conviction leaves you with a permanent criminal record.
Roselle Park Harassment Defense Attorney
Prosecutors have the burden of proving each element of the harassment charge with evidence proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. An aggressive defense challenging the witnesses and other evidence prosecutors have to support the allegations against you is why you need a seasoned Roselle Park harassment lawyer from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall defending you. Contact us today by calling (908) 272-1700 to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our defense attorneys.
