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Criminal Laws

Penalties for Conviction Under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3.1, Traffic Sign, Signal Damage, Removal, in New Jersey

April 27, 2018 by Mathew Reisig

Criminal Defense Attorney For NJSA 2C:17-3.1 In New Jersey

Related to New Jersey’s Criminal Mischief law, there is a separate provision that makes it a crime to tamper with street signs, traffic lights, and other signals. This includes removing traffic signals or damaging street signs.

Specifically, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3.1, Traffic Sign, Signal Damage, Removal, says:

    “A person who purposely, knowingly, recklessly or negligently defaces, injures or removes an official traffic sign or signal described in Title 39 of the Revised Statutes is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.”

The statute goes on to specify that when the offender is a juvenile, any fines that are levied against them must be paid by the juvenile’s parents if the youth can’t afford to pay them.

The good news is that 2C:17-3.1 – damaging traffic signals or removing signs , is a misdemeanor offense. In New Jersey this is known as a disorderly persons offense.

These kinds of cases are usually heard in municipal court. This is a separate division than the criminal courts where more serious offenses are tried.

Penalties For Damaging Traffic Signs Or Removing Traffic Signals In NJ

The maximum penalties that can be applied are six months in jail and a fine of $1,000.

But when you work with an experienced NJ defense lawyer, it’s extremely unlikely that you’d ever face anything close to that.

It may even be possible to have the charge reduced or dropped altogether.

Hiring A Defense Lawyer For Damaging Traffic Signals Or Signs

In any case, the best bet for you or your child is to get legal help. This will ensure your case receives the best possible outcome.

Call Matthew Reisig today at (732) 385-3339 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.

Filed Under: Criminal Laws, Traffic Sign or Signal Damage and Removal

Penalties for Official Misconduct (N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2) in New Jersey

January 5, 2017 by Matthew Reisig

Those responsible for the public good don’t only have an ethical responsibility to practice the people’s business impartially, they have a legal obligation to do so as well.

Under the statute N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2, Official Misconduct, public servants who engage in misconduct can face five to 10 years in prison and fines as high as $150,000 when they betray the public’s trust.

To be convicted, the statute requires that public servants, with purpose to derive a benefit for themselves or another, or to prevent another from receiving a benefit, commit an unauthorized exercise of official duties or otherwise act in an unauthorized manner, or fail to perform a duty required by the office they hold.

The statute is both flexible and specific, requiring elements like knowledge and intent in a public official’s conduct.

Still, as a second degree crime, it’s a high felony, and even when the value of the benefit sought or deprived is trivial, less than $200, it’s still a crime of the third degree.

Conviction at that level can lead to a sentence of three to five years and fines totaling $15,000.

Official Misconduct is a serious crime in New Jersey.

If you’ve been charged at any level under N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2, get help right away by calling Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation.

Filed Under: Criminal Laws

Penalties for Compounding (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4) in New Jersey

January 4, 2017 by Matthew Reisig

Compounding (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-4) is the act of offering or accepting a benefit to keep a person from reporting a crime, or to keep them from volunteering pertinent information during a criminal investigation.

A suspect who offers money to a witness in exchange for their silence can be charged with Compounding, and a witness who accepts payment to refrain from participating fully in an investigation can also be charged.

Compounding is an extremely serious charge, and people prosecuted for Compounding under 2C:29-4 can spend 5-10 years in prison if convicted.

It’s a crime of the second degree, which is the equivalent of a serious felony in other states.

As a second degree crime, conviction carries with it a presumption of incarceration. The state can also impose a fine of up to $150,000 upon conviction, which by itself can be ruinous.

New Jersey takes strong stands against efforts to tamper with witnesses or impede criminal investigations, and prosecutors are not shy about bringing charges of compounding against any party associated with the conduct.

Protect yourself. Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 and talk to an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney for free.

Filed Under: Criminal Laws

Penalties for Animal Owned, Used By Law Enforcement Agency, Search And Rescue Dog, Harming, Threatening, Interference With Officer (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3.1)

January 4, 2017 by Matthew Reisig

Most criminal statutes in New Jersey are designed with multiple goals in mind, one of which is to prevent overcrowding of state prisons.

To this end, the majority of crimes of the fourth and third degree are prosecuted with a presumption of non-incarceration on the first offense, meaning that in most cases, no jail time will be served. But this isn’t true for all such crimes.

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3.1, Animal Owned, Used By Law Enforcement Agency, Search And Rescue Dog, Harming, Threatening, Interference With Officer, you can face significantly higher penalties than many such statutes.

Killing a dog, horse, or other animal owned by the police, or a search and rescue dog, will result in charges of the third degree, but rather than face a presumption of non-incarceration, you’ll face a minimum of five years in prison during which you’ll be ineligible for parole. You’ll also be fined $15,000.

Maiming an animal as described above, or threatening to maim or kill one of them, is prosecuted as a crime of the fourth degree, with an 18 month sentence possible if convicted, and a fine of $10,000.

The statute doesn’t require jail time for this conduct, but you can bet that a judge won’t take such charges lightly.

Finally, interfering with law enforcement officers who are using an animal in the performance of their duties is a disorderly persons offense, with a six month sentence if convicted.

The statute allows for community service to be served for some or all of the sentence. You’ll also be fined $1,000 and have to pay restitution.

Animals who serve alongside law enforcement and search and rescue teams provide a public good that New Jersey has chosen to protect strongly.

Conviction of killing, maiming, threatening, or interfering with such animals can result in significant penalties to you, both in time served and fines paid.

Fight back against criminal charges related to law enforcement and search and rescue animals.

Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.

Filed Under: Criminal Laws

Penalties for Obstructing The Administration Of Law (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1) in New Jersey

September 19, 2016 by Matthew Reisig

Purposely obstructing, impairing, or perverting the administration of law or other government function is a crime in New Jersey. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1, Obstructing The Administration Of Law, any action with purpose to impede the workings of law enforcement or other government roles can be prosecuted.

This includes taking steps to prevent public servants from performing their official duties by means of flight, intimidation, force, violence, physical interference or obstacle, or through any unlawful act.

The base charge under 2C:29-1 is a disorderly persons offense, which can result in six months in jail and a fine of $1,000 if convicted. When the obstruction in question is designed to hinder the detection of a crime, the investigation of a crime, or the prosecution of someone for a crime, the charge is of the fourth degree. Conviction can result in 18 months in prison and a fine of $10,000.

Most commonly, a charge like this will be filed as part of a larger indictment, and complex cases require experienced attorneys to evaluate the evidence against you and create a successful strategy to protect you.

Matthew Reisig has defended clients in New Jersey for nearly 20 years and has an excellent track record of success, even with complicated legal issues. If you’re facing prosecution for violation of 2C:29-1 or related charges, call 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.

Filed Under: Criminal Laws

Penalties for Corruption of Public Resources (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12) in New Jersey

September 18, 2016 by Matthew Reisig

The State of New Jersey has some pretty stiff penalties in store for public officials who misuse public resources. Under Corruption of Public Resources (N.J.S.A. 2C:27-12), those who knowingly use or make dispositions of public resources for unauthorized purposes can face significant jail time.

The statute defines two violations. When a public resource is subject to an obligation to be used to perform a particular function, Corruption of Public Resources can be prosecuted as a crime of the first degree, depending on the value of the public resource. Here’s the breakdown of potential penalties, from lowest to highest:

  • Value of less than $75,000; crime of the third degree; possible sentence of three to five years and a $15,000 fine
  • Value of $75,000 – $500,000; crime of the second degree; sentence between five and 10 years and a fine of up to $150,000
  • Value over $500,000; crime of the first degree; prison sentence 10 years or longer; fine of $200,000.

In cases where a public resource is not subject to an obligation to be used for government purposes, the charges will graded one level lower, as follows:

  • Value of less than $75,000; crime of the fourth degree; possible sentence of 18 months; fine up to $10,000
  • Value of $75,000 – $500,000; crime of the third degree; sentence between three and five years; $15,000 fine
  • Value over $500,000; crime of the second degree; sentence between five and 10 years and a fine of up to $150,000.

People charged with public corruption crimes in NJ are facing a situation that can cost them their career and their reputation even if they aren’t convicted. It’s vital that you get the help you need right away to protect yourself against overzealous prosecutors and the media. Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 and talk to an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney for free.

Filed Under: Criminal Laws

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