Not every criminal offense necessarily leads to a conviction or jail sentence. Consider the options you may have to resolve your misdemeanor or felony case. Statistics show that the prison population in New Jersey and throughout the country has reached an all-time high, with more people than ever being convicted in criminal courts and then punished […]
When it comes to pronouncing how much time, if any, a convicted person will spend in jail or prison, the judge presiding over a criminal case has wide latitude but not limitless discretion. Since the law provides a range of sentencing possibilities, including prison time, probation, parole, suspended sentence, community service, restitution, fees, and other […]
What Factors Help to Determine Your Sentence for a Crime in NJ When you are convicted of a crime in New Jersey, the judge typically imposes a sentence. This sentence can include prison or jail time, probation, fines, community service, and other punishments. When it comes to sentencing a defendant to prison or jail, the […]
Accused Being Drunk in Public at the Jersey Shore? People often come to us asking whether public drunkenness is a crime in New Jersey. The simple answer is no, it is not a crime to be intoxicated in public. Gathering, having a good time, and drinking is not a criminal offense in and of itself […]
A multitude of criminal offenses ranging from assault, to sexual assault, to robbery in New Jersey require the state to prove that you possessed some intent when committing a crime. However, offenses known as strict liability crimes allow the court to reach a guilty finding by the prosecution merely showing that you committed the act itself. In […]
The term “intent” in a criminal case is meant to describe what an accused person’s purpose is in committing certain acts or crime. In the majority of scenarios involving someone facing criminal charges in New Jersey, you cannot be found guilty without possessing the requisite mental state. Moreover, there are specific ways and forms of […]
Mens Rea: What it Means and Why it Matters when Charged with a Crime in NJ Anyone charged with a crime in the United States is “innocent until proven guilty.” We have all heard this phrase thrown around hundreds of times. But what does it really mean to be proven guilty? In New Jersey, to […]
People in the criminal system often use the word “downgrade.” The definition of the term downgrade can take on slight variations depending on who is using it and what he or she is referring to. Generally, downgrading charges includes reducing the degree of the charge. For some, it can mean a reduction from a higher […]
Getting a criminal conviction can result in a number of serious consequences, including hurting your job prospects. First, there are the immediate consequences, such as fines, jail or prison time, probation, the loss of your driver’s license for certain crimes, etc. But then there are longer-term consequences. You may lose the right to own firearms. […]
It is very common for people to be subject to orders from a court in New Jersey. But what happens if you fail to meet the court’s requirements? Here’s what you need to know about court orders and violations of court orders in New Jersey. If you are facing contempt charges, have received a probation […]