NJ Harassment Complaint Defense Lawyer

Harassment is probably one of the most common offenses charged in the municipal courts in New Jersey. Why is this the case? It is probably for two reasons.

First, harassment complaints are not often initiated by law enforcement officials. In many cases, harassment complaints are filed by neighbors, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends or family members. Since civilians can easily assert an allegation of harassment, it certainly contributes to the growing number of harassment charges in New Jersey.

Second, the harassment statute is one of the broadest statutes in New Jersey. There are three ways that you can be charged with harassment:

1. You can be charged with harassment if you make a “communication” or repeated communications to alarm or seriously annoy another individual. This includes any communication that is made at inconvenient hours of the day. This even includes communications that are made in “offensively coarse” language. (N.J.S.A. 2C:33 4(a))
2. You can be charged with harassment if you commit an “offensive touching” or if you threaten to commit an “offensive touching.” This includes if you strike someone, kick someone or shove someone. (N.J.S.A. 2C:33 4(b)).
3. You can be charged with harassment if you engage in a “course of alarming conduct” or if you repeatedly commit acts with the purpose to “alarm or seriously annoy” another person. (N.J.S.A. 2C:33 4(c)).

Because the harassment statute is so broad, it is important to have a criminal attorney with experience with the municipal courts in New Jersey to represent your interests.

Mark Cintron has used his knowledge of harassment law to successfully defend clients against harassment charges. His creative legal arguments have resulted in a dismissal of harassment charges in certain instances. So, if you are currently facing a harassment charge, please feel free to contact Mark Cintron for a free consultation.