Harassment Petty Disorderly Persons Charge in Bloomfield Municipal Court
Do you need a lawyer for a criminal harassment charge in Bloomfield NJ? We can help.
The domestic violence and restraining order defense team at The Tormey Law Firm just helped a client achieve dismissal of a restraining order in the Essex County Superior Court as well as the dismissal of criminal charges for harassment in Bloomfield Municipal Court. Our client broke up with his girlfriend and after he tried to reconcile the relationship, he was served with a temporary restraining order and issued a criminal complaint for harassment. As with all domestic violence restraining orders, our client was required to appear in Superior Court to defend the allegations and fight the restraining order. But because of the criminal complaint, our client also needed to address the case in municipal court. Fortunately for our client, our team of domestic violence defense attorneys were able to negotiate a settlement of the matter that included the dismissals of both matters and our client is no longer facing a restraining order or a criminal charge.
Domestic violence allegations in New Jersey often lead to two separate cases – one that proceeds in family court pursuant to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (“PDVA”) and one that proceeds in either municipal or superior court pursuant to New Jersey’s Criminal Code. This is because of the broad definition of domestic violence in New Jersey. In fact, the PDVA sets forth nineteen different crimes of domestic violence at N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19 (1) through (19): homicide, assault, terroristic threats, kidnapping, criminal restraint, false imprisonment, sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, lewdness, criminal mischief, burglary, criminal trespass, harassment, cyber-harassment, stalking, criminal coercion, robbery, contempt of a domestic violence order, and any other crime involving risk of death or serious bodily injury.
When it comes to allegations of harassment in New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 sets forth that a person commits a petty disorderly persons offense if, with purpose to harass another, he: a. makes, or causes to be made, a communication or communications anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours, or in offensively coarse language, or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm; b. subjects another to striking, kicking, shoving, or other offensive touching, or threatens to do so; or c. engages in any other course of alarming conduct or of repeatedly committed acts with purpose to alarm or seriously annoy such other person. Thus, there are many situations that can be deemed domestic violence that will lead to two separate court cases.
Harassment Lawyer Bloomfield NJ? Call Us Now
If you are accused of domestic violence in New Jersey, The Tormey Law Firm can help. Our experienced restraining order and domestic violence defense attorneys have successfully handled matters in courts across New Jersey on behalf of clients facing restraining orders and criminal charges. Thus, whether you were issued a complaint alleging a crime of domestic violence, served with a temporary restraining order, or both, don’t hesitate to call The Tormey Law Firm at 201-654-3464. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case, prepare a defense strategy, and help guide you through this stressful time.