Other Municipal Court Offenses (Shoplifting, Simple Assault, Drug Charges, and Other Municipal Court Offenses)

New Jersey Municipal Court Attorney defending individuals charged with simple assault, shoplifting, drug possession, and other disorderly persons offenses in municipal courts throughout New Jersey.

New Jersey municipal courts hear a wide array of disorderly persons offenses. These are relatively low-level offenses that, because of the nature of the charge, are downgraded from the New Jersey Superior Court to the municipal court of the town where the offense occurred. Although the law considers these cases to be "smaller", someone charged with a disorderly persons offense must take their case seriously for many reasons.

A background check by a private employer may reveal a record of a conviction for a disorderly persons offense from a New Jersey municipal court. A conviction in municipal court can also affect someone's ability to obtain a professional license, firearms purchaser identification card, or carry permit. Additionally, and depending upon the case, a municipal court judge can impose significant monetary penalties and county jail time. An experienced municipal court lawyer in New Jersey can evaluate your case, advice you as to possible defense(s), and appear with you in municipal court to negotiate with the municipal prosecutor, protect your rights, and minimize (or possibly eliminate) adverse consequences.

Here are some of the more common charges that may be heard by a New Jersey municipal court:

Shoplifting — Shoplifting cases in New Jersey are very common. Generally speaking, if the dollar amount of the items at issue is under $200.00, the case involves a disorderly persons offense that will be heard in municipal court. An experienced New Jersey shoplifting lawyer can formulate a proper defense to the charge so as to protect your rights and reduce any penalties.

Simple Assault — This involves inflicting relatively minor injuries upon another person, or putting someone in Imminent fear of bodily injury. Simple assault is a disorderly persons offense, unless it is committed in a fight or scuffle entered into with the consent of those involved, in which case it is a petty disorderly persons offense. A municipal court can hear a simple assault case of either degree. An assault attorney in New Jersey can tell you if it is possible to "downgrade" your charge from a disorderly persons offense to the lower-level petty disorderly person offense.

Drug Charges — Cases involving such charges as those arising from the possession of small quantities of illegal drugs can be heard in municipal court. A New Brunswick drug charges attorney can review your case and advise you of any basis to suppress the evidence the drugs), or any available defense(s) to the charges.

These are not the only charges heard in New Jersey municipal courts. These courts also hear cases involving charges of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence, as well as cases involvin traffic violations.

Our municipal courts play a very prominent role in the New Jersey justice system. They should not be taken lightly. A record from a New Jersey municipal court can have serious ramifications. If you have a municipal court charge, you should seek advice from a seasoned municipal court attorney in New Jersey.

James S. Friedman, Esq., is a municipal court lawyer based in New Brunswick. Ifyou have charges in any New Jersey municipal court, contact Mr. Friedman to get advice on your case and start planning your defense.