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.