Domestic Violence & Restraining Orders in New Jersey

The New Jersey legislature issued the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act in 1991. The act provides the victims of domestic violence two types of relief: civil and criminal. A domestic violence victim can make a request for a restraining order and can file a criminal complaint against the alleged batterer.

Definition of a Domestic Violence Offense

New Jersey defines a domestic violence offense as the occurrence of any of the following acts against a person protected under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act:

  • Homicide
  • Assault
  • Terroristic threats
  • Kidnapping
  • Criminal restraint
  • False imprisonment
  • Sexual assault
  • Criminal sexual contact
  • Lewdness
  • Criminal mischief
  • Burglary
  • Criminal trespass
  • Harassment
  • Stalking

Protected Individuals

The Prevention of Domestic Act protects victims of domestic violence. A domestic violence victim includes the following people:

  • Any person age 18 or older
  • An emancipated minor who has been subjected to domestic violence by a spouse, former spouse, or any person that is present or a former household member
  • Any person who has been subjected to domestic violence by a person with whom the victim has a child in common, anticipated having a child in common, or one of the parties is pregnant
  • Any person who has been subjected to domestic violence by a person with whom the victim has had a dating relationship

Penalties

A domestic violence offense can lead to criminal charges and civil penalties. A victim of domestic violence or the police can file a criminal complaint against an alleged batterer. A guilty verdict can result in several different punishments, including a fine, probation, and incarceration. A domestic violence victim can obtain a restraining order against the alleged batterer. A restraining order can require the alleged batterer to obey specific guidelines, such as avoiding in-person, phone, or written contact with the victim, grant custody of common children to the victim, require the payment of support, or order psychiatric treatment of the defendant.

Mark Cintron is a New Jersey criminal lawyer that provides legal assistance to individuals accused of a New Jersey domestic violence offense. Mark J. Cintron has offices located in Ridgefield Park, New Brunswick, Montclair, West New York and Parsippany Contact The Cintron Firm at (201) 791-1333 for a consultation.


The Cintron Firm has locations in Ridgefield Park, New Brunswick, Montclair, and Totowa and serve the following New Jersey cities and counties: Morris County, Essex County, Bergen County, Passaic County, Englewood Cliffs, Ridgewood, Little Falls, Paramus, Paterson, Wayne, Lincoln Park, Hackensack, Lodi, Passaic, Cliffside Park, Caldwell, Belleville, Union City, East Orange, Newark, Union, Elizabeth, Irvington, Brunswick, Byram, Denville and Rockaway.



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167 Main Street, First Floor, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
| Phone: 917-494-5695
24 Kirkpatrick Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903
| Phone: 917-494-5695
26 Park Street, Suite 2000, Montclair, NJ 07042
| Phone: 917-494-5695
547 Union Boulevard, Totowa, NJ 07512
| Phone: 917-494-5695

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