NJ Criminal Defense

In ALL 21 NJ Counties
FREE Defense Consultation:

Open 24/7  (732) 385-3339
(888) 628-8394

  • Home
  • Practice Areas
    • All Practice Areas
    • Assault Charges
    • Arson Charges
    • Bad Checks Charges
    • Bail Jumping Charges
    • Burglary Charges
    • Cell Phone Ticket
    • Credit Card Theft And Fraud Charges
    • Criminal Coercion Charges
    • Criminal Sexual Assault Charges
    • Criminal Mischief Charges
    • Criminal Sexual Contact Charges
    • Criminal Harassment Charges
    • Domestic Violence Charges
    • Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License Charges
    • Driving Without Insurance Charges
    • Drug Possession Charges
    • Marijuana Possession Charges
    • Cocaine Possession Charges
    • Heroin Possession Charges
    • Methamphetamine Possession Charges
    • Drug Possession with Intent Charges
    • Embezzlement Charges
    • Criminal Record Expungement
    • Eluding Charges
    • False Imprisonment Charges
    • Gun/Firearms/Weapons Charges
    • Forgery Charges
    • Criminal Fraud Charges
    • Manslaughter or Murder Charges
    • Insurance Fraud Charges
    • Invasion of Privacy Charges
    • Kidnapping Charges
    • Theft Charges
    • Leaving the Scene of an Accident Charges
    • Prostitution Charges
    • Receiving Stolen Property Charges
    • Reckless Driving Charges
    • Resisting Arrest Charges
    • Violation of a Restraining Order Charges
    • Robbery Charges
    • School Zone Distribution of Drugs Charges
    • Shoplifting Charges
    • Simple Assault
    • Stalking Charges
    • Terroristic Threats Charges
    • Traffic and Driving Charges
    • Trespassing Charges
    • Juvenile Alcohol Possession Charges
    • Underage Drinking Charges
  • Case Results
  • About
    • About Our Firm
    • Certified Municipal Court Lawyer
    • Fees
  • Our Reviews
  • Q & A
  • Contact

As seen on

Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC ABC News
Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC New York
Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC CBS New York
Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC Fox News
Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC New York Post
Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC New York Times
Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC NJ True Jersey
Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC New Jersey Herald

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

Primary Sidebar

Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC if you want to win1

RECENT POSTS

  • Police Welcome Drop in Crime During Covid-19 Lockdown; Worry Over Spike in Domestic Violence Calls
  • Domestic Violence Incidents Climb Dangerously During Covid-19 Lockdown
  • NJ’s Attorney General Cracks Down on Coronavirus Threats
  • Have You Been Charged With Domestic Violence in New Jersey During The Covid-19 Lockdown?
  • Criminal Lawyer Details Racketeering Charges & Penalties In NJ

HAVE A QUESTION? TYPE IT HERE

Categories

Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC Location

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

"*" indicates required fields

We offer free consultations. No office visit required, we will get back to you within 24 hours.

* ALL FIELDS REQUIRED

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Call Us Today: (888) 628-8394 or (732) 385-3339

© 2021 Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law, LLC
125 Half Mile Road, Suite 200, Red Bank, NJ 07701  (732)*625*9661
2500 Plaza 5, 25th floor, Jersey City, NJ 07311  (201) 793-7226
923 Haddonfield Rd, Suite #300, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002  (856) 334-0559
317 George Street, 3rd Floor, New Brunswick, NJ 08901  (732) 659-0984
Attorney Advertising / Disclaimer / Privacy Policy

* The reference to 1,389 cases without a DWI conviction applies to cases prior to November 1, 2017. This information should not create an unjustified expectation that similar results can be obtained for others without regard to the specific factual and legal circumstances.

** 82% Winning Percentage at Trial is from 2012 through 2017.