Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Monmouth County and across New Jersey
First and foremost, it is important to understand that New Jersey does not use the prototypical phrases of “felony offenses” and “misdemeanor offenses” when it comes to breaking down the different degrees of crimes. Instead, the New Jersey criminal code refers to all felonies as “indictable offenses” and all misdemeanors as “disorderly persons offenses“. To further complicate things, all indictable offenses are broken down into four separate categories or “degrees,” which are as follows:
- First Degree Crime;
- Second Degree Crime;
- Third Degree Crime; &
- Fourth Degree Crime.
Penalties for Indictable Offenses in NJ
The potential penalties for degrees of crimes drastically differ. For example, here is a chart the illustrates some the basic penalties that someone faces for each degree.
| Degrees | Penalties |
| 1st Degree Crimes | 10 to 20 Years in Prison $200,000 Fine |
| 2nd Degree Crimes | 5 to 10 Years in Prison $150,000 Fine |
| 3rd Degree Crimes | 3 to 5 Years in Prison $15,000 Fine |
| 4th Degree Crimes | 18 Months in Prison $10,00 Fine |
Charged with a Felony in Freehold NJ?
All indictable offenses that occur within Monmouth County will be heard in the Monmouth County Superior Court, which is located at 71 Monument Street in Freehold. Here is a list of some of the most common offenses litigated in the Monmouth County Superior Court for each different degree.
- First Degree:
- Murder; Aggravated Sexual Assault; Armed Robbery; Money Laundering; Drug Distribution
- Second Degree:
- Aggravated Assault; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; Eluding; Heroin Distribution
- Third Degree:
- Cocaine Possession; Heroin Possession; Theft; Burglary; Endangering Welfare of a Child
- Fourth Degree:
- Marijuana Distribution; Stalking; Shoplifting; Assault by Auto
Disorderly Persons Offense in the Monmouth County Area
As stated earlier, New Jersey does not use the phrase “misdemeanor.” Instead, they use “disorderly persons offense” and “petty disorderly persons offense.” All disorderly persons offenses will be litigated in the local municipal court in the municipality where the incident occurred. So, for example, if a Defendant is arrested for possessing less than 50 grams of marijuana in Middletown, their charges will be litigated in the Middletown Municipal Court, which is located at 1 Kings Highway. Some of the most common disorderly and petty disorderly persons offenses charged in Monmouth County include the following:
- Possession of Marijuana Under 50 Grams;
- Simple Assault;
- Disorderly Conduct;
- Harassment;
- Shoplifting;
- Underage Drinking;
- Possession of a Fake Id.
Contact a Monmouth County NJ Felony Criminal Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you have been placed under arrest and charged with an indictable offense in Monmouth County, New Jersey, it is imperative that you speak to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your options. As you can see from reading above, the potential penalties you face when charged with a felony in New Jersey are life-changing. If you would like to schedule a free initial consultation today with one of the criminal defense lawyers at Keith Oliver Criminal Law, then please contact our Middletown office at 732-858-6959 or try contacting us online. Our office serves all of Monmouth County, including towns like Freehold, Middletown, Holmdel, Tinton Falls, Hazlet, Belmar, Manasquan, Howell, Manalapan, Ocean Township, Asbury Park, Wall Township and Long Branch. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact us.