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New Jersey Disorderly Persons Offenses

By Lependorf & Silverstein

What is a Disorderly Persons offense? A Disorderly Persons Offense is a category of offense that can be related to a small amount of drugs, a simple assault, a petty theft, etc. Disorderly Persons offenses are handled in the municipal court of the municipality where the offense occurred. Unlike a crime that is handled in a County Court, with a Disorderly Persons offense the defendant accused is not entitled to an indictment by a Grand Jury or a trial by jury. Any trial that takes place is heard in front of and decided by a municipal court Judge. A Disorderly Persons charge is considered an ?Offense?, and not a ?Crime?, such as an indictable offense that is handled in a County Court is considered. An advantage of the crime/offense distinction is that certain collateral consequences are not available upon the conviction of a Disorderly Persons offense...continue to full post

Full post as published by New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog on January 07, 2009 (boomark / email).