New Jersey Transit Police Officer Arrested in Belmar
According to the reports, an off-duty police officer was arrested and charged late Thursday night following an altercation that took place on the front porch of a house in the Borough of Belmar. The Belmar Police Department was initially dispatched to the scene to investigate a noise disturbance. When the arrived however they released that the noise disturbance had escalated into a physical altercation, involving several different individuals, one of them being the off-duty officer. It has been alleged that the disturbance turned physical once the defendant struck a women in the face, at which point in time her family intervened.
Things quickly went from bad to worse when the defendant attempted to pick-up his firearm that had become dislodged during the altercation. In attempting to do so, the firearm accidentally fired. It is not believed nor is it alleged that the firearm was discharged on purpose and fortunately nobody was hurt as a result of discharge. Although the women who was struck in the face by the defendant did suffer minor injuries.
Facing a Disorderly Conduct Charge in the Borough of Belmar
At the end of the day, the off-duty police officer from Asbury Park was placed under arrest and formally charged with one count of simple assault, one count of disorderly conduct and one count of discharging a firearm within city limits. The first two offenses are considered disorderly and petty disorderly persons offenses, which is New Jersey’s version of a misdemeanor. The discharging of the firearm within city limits is considered a borough ordinance, which is not technically considered a crime. All three of these matters will be litigated in the Belmar Municipal Court. If convicted of the disorderly conduct charge, which is considered a petty disorderly persons offense, the defendant will be facing up to thirty days in the Monmouth County Jail and a fine up to $500. On the simple assault charge, the defendant is facing up to six months in the Monmouth County Jail and a fine up to $1000. For more information each offense, please click their corresponding links.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Near Belmar New Jersey
If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a criminal offense in the Borough of Belmar it is imperative that you speak to an attorney as soon as possible. What might seem as a minor, low level offense on its face could have devastating collateral consequences, for example obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. Some of the most common criminal charges that defend those accused of in the Borough of Belmar include but are not limited to disorderly conduct, simple assault, trespassing, possession of a fake id, possession of cocaine and resisting arrest. If you have been charged with any of the aforementioned offenses or any other offense for that matter in the Borough of Belmar and would like to discuss your options with one of the criminal defense attorneys on staff, then please contact our office directly at 732.858.6959. As always, our initial consultations are always free of costs. So if you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact us.
