[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/blog\/intake-and-the-aftermath-in-a-middlesex-county-criminal-case\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/blog\/intake-and-the-aftermath-in-a-middlesex-county-criminal-case\/","headline":"Intake and the Aftermath in a Middlesex County Criminal Case","name":"Intake and the Aftermath in a Middlesex County Criminal Case","description":"If you or a loved one have been charged with a criminal offense in Middlesex County, New Jersey, you are likely eager to know what to expect next. Regardless of what type of crime you are charged with, the first few steps of police intake and processing are the same. Then, the process that follows […]","datePublished":"2018-10-31","dateModified":"2025-07-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/newjerseycriminallawfirm\/#Person","name":"William Proetta Criminal Law","url":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/newjerseycriminallawfirm\/","identifier":12,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bf046e483cfd218aa23b814afd7f502ea8e6bd244632161b6e42395a76e91a8e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bf046e483cfd218aa23b814afd7f502ea8e6bd244632161b6e42395a76e91a8e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"William Proetta Criminal Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/william-proetta-criminal-law-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/william-proetta-criminal-law-logo.png","width":250,"height":76}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/criminal-process.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/criminal-process.jpg","height":1333,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/blog\/intake-and-the-aftermath-in-a-middlesex-county-criminal-case\/","about":["Criminal Case Issues"],"wordCount":874,"articleBody":"If you or a loved one have been charged with a criminal offense in Middlesex County, New Jersey, you are likely eager to know what to expect next. Regardless of what type of crime you are charged with, the first few steps of police intake and processing are the same. Then, the process that follows may change depending on the severity of the charges and whether you are ordered to be detained while waiting for your trial. At every stage in the criminal process in New Jersey, it is important to understand your rights. Remember that you have the right to not answer questions from the police and should not speak to the police without a lawyer present.What Happens Right After I\u2019m Arrested?After you are arrested in Middlesex County, you will be brought to the police station in the municipality where you were arrested. When the officer files a complaint against you, that is when your criminal case officially begins. It is also possible, but less common, for another citizen to file a complaint against you.\u00a0Once a complaint is filed, the police will begin the intake or \u201cbooking\u201d process. This will involve confiscating your personal belongings, taking your photo or a \u201cmug shot\u201d, taking your fingerprints, and recording biographical information like your name, age, address, social security number and other identifiers.Will I Be Able to Go Home After I\u2019m Charged With an Offense?Whether you will be able to go home after you are processed by the police or if you will be detained depends on what type of offense you are charged with and whether you are considered to be at high risk for endangering another person\u2019s safety, failing to appear in court, or obstructing justice.If you are charged on a complaint-summons, you will be released on your own recognizance (ROR), which means that you will be released from police custody after you are processed and given a court date for your first appearance. In other words, you will likely be released if you are charged with a disorderly persons offense like\u00a0possession of marijuana,\u00a0shoplifting\u00a0goods valued at $200 or less,\u00a0drug equipment or paraphernalia, or\u00a0disorderly conduct.However, you may be required to appear before a judge for a detention hearing if you are charged on a complaint-warrant with an indictable offense like\u00a0heroin distribution,\u00a0possession of cocaine with intent to distribute,\u00a0intent to sell marijuana,\u00a0aggravated assault, or\u00a0theft\u00a0of property with a value over $200. This is also the case if you have been charged with a\u00a0domestic violence offense\u00a0such as\u00a0simple assault. To be detained, the prosecutor must first file a motion for detention in your case and then a judge will determine whether you should be released or detained at a detention hearing.When Will I See a Judge if I\u2019m Being Detained?If you are not released on your own recognizance, you will be taken to\u00a0Middlesex County Jail,\u00a0located between Apple Orchard Lane and Route 130 in North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902. The next day\u2014or on Monday if you are arrested over the weekend\u2014you will have your first appearance before a judge and the judge will inform you of the charges against you. Your detention hearing may be scheduled for the same day as your first appearance or just a few days later.\u00a0If you are not held in custody after your arrest and you are released on your own recognizance, then the date of your first appearance before a judge will be listed on the complaint you receive from the police.What if They Want to Keep Me in Jail?At your\u00a0detention hearing, the judge will review your Public Safety Assessment (PSA) score and other recommendations to determine whether you should be released pending trial. New Jersey recently did away with the traditional bail system and no longer collects bail payments. Instead, the judge must release you unless he or she determines that no condition or set of conditions could reasonably assure that you will not be a threat to others, fail to appear in court, or obstruct the criminal justice system. This often presents a serious issue for defendants in domestic violence cases, as being accused of this type of offense by nature means you are a threat to someone else. Regardless of the charges you\u2019re facing, you should not appear before a judge for a bail hearing without a defense attorney.New Brunswick Defense Attorney for ArrestBeing arrested is likely one of the most stressful events you will experience in your life. When your liberty is at stake, it is crucial to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer to advocate on your behalf. If you have been arrested and charged with a crime in Middlesex County, do not face these charges alone.\u00a0Contact our local law office in Middlesex County at (732) 659-9600\u00a0for a free consultation and we will be happy to review your case. The attorneys at\u00a0William Proetta Criminal Law\u00a0have successfully handled criminal cases in virtually every court in Middlesex County, including\u00a0New Brunswick Municipal Court\u00a0and\u00a0Middlesex County Superior Court. We will work tirelessly to defend your rights and seek the best possible outcome for your case."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Intake and the Aftermath in a Middlesex County Criminal Case","item":"https:\/\/www.newjerseycriminallawfirm.com\/blog\/intake-and-the-aftermath-in-a-middlesex-county-criminal-case\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]