During the approximately 29 years I have been a Disorderly Persons Offense Attorney defending disorderly persons offense charges for many hundreds of clients. I have obtained many downgrades to non criminal resolutions and dismissals. I have protected many clients against having a criminal conviction on their criminal history. I have helped school teachers and other government officials avoid loss of employment by avoiding criminal conviction
What is a Disorderly Persons Offense?
Disorderly persons offenses are a class of criminal offenses which are less than felonies, but still constitute criminal conduct.
An Attorney who defends persons charged with a “DP” is a Disorderly Persons Offense Attorney who defends disorderly persons offense charges.
The New Jersey Legislature has codified 2 broad classes of criminal offenses under the 2C Criminal Code.
- “Crimes” (called felonies in other States); and
2. A lesser class of criminal offenses called “disorderly persons offenses”.
Common examples:
Possession of Marijuana (for personal use) under 50 grams;
Simple Assault;
Obstruction of the Administration of Law;
Criminal Mischief;
Shoplifting;
Lewd Acts.
These complaints are usually heard in the Municipal Court in which the event giving rise to the charges occurred.
The “complainant” can either be a citizen with personal knowledge or a New Jersey law enforcement officer, i.e., police officer or State trooper, who has found that there is probable cause to believe the accused committed the criminal offense.
If convicted of committing a “DP”, the accused’s exposure for each Count (charged offense) is a fine range of zero ($0.00) dollars up to one thousand ($1,000.00)dollars, in the discretion of the court, plus jail time in a range of zero (0) days up to one hundred and eighty (180) days, plus for some offenses a suspension of driver’s license of up to six (6) months.
An experienced Disorderly Persons Offense Attorney who defends disorderly persons offense charges should be able to help you avoid all or most of those penalties.
Does possible conviction for a disorderly persons offense expose me to “consequences of magnitude”?
Yes. “Consequence of Magnitude” is a term of art defined as possible loss of liberty (jail) and/or monetary fines exceeding $750.00.
The concept is used to convey whether certain Constitutional rights and safeguards attach because the consequences of conviction are potentially serious. As set forth above, a person convicted of any disorderly persons offense can be sentenced to jail time up to 180 days per Count.
A knowledgeable Disorderly Persons Offense Attorney who defends disorderly persons offense charges should be able to help you avoid most or all of those penalties.
Can conviction for a disorderly persons offense expose me to potential loss of employment?
If you are convicted of any 2C offense, you can lose your job as a New Jersey School Teacher, Governmental Official, etc…and your eligibility forever to hold one these types of employment positions.
Can an experienced Disorderly Persons Offense Attorney help me avoid a criminal conviction?
Yes. The State has a duty to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of each and every element of the offense.
Oftentimes, an experienced Disorderly Persons Offense Attorney who defends disorderly persons offense charges can exploit proof problems with the case and can negotiate a non criminal resolution to your charges.
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, no matter how petty or insignificant the conduct seems to you, you likely need to be represented by an experienced Disorderly Persons Offense Attorney who defends disorderly persons charges. Please contact me to learn how, if retained, I can help you.