In the state of New Jersey, crimes are not labeled as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Instead, felonies are referred to as “indictable crimes” while misdemeanors are “disorderly persons offenses” or “petty disorderly persons offenses.” For those being accused in Hackensack, a criminal defense attorney can help you understand the nomenclature.
A Criminal Action is a Criminal Action
While it is important for you to understand that differences in terminology do exist, the sentences do not vary significantly from New Jersey to Alaska. An indictable or felony case still is prosecuted seriously with the sentence reflecting the severity of the crime. What also differs in New Jersey is that many offenses cannot be expunged as they are in other states. A Hackensack criminal defense attorney is the best source of this information and will willingly explain all pertinent matters to you.
Degrees of Criminal Charges
A good Hackensack criminal defense attorney will also inform you that, as is typical in other states, New Jersey categorizes indictable crimes into different degrees. In this state, they are listed accordingly:
- First Degree: This category contains the crimes considered the most heinous such as aggravated sexual assault, armed robbery, murder and kidnapping.
- Second Degree: This includes sexual assault, aggravated arson and reckless vehicular homicide.
- Third Degree: These indictable crimes include limited quantity drug possession, motor vehicle theft, and burglary.
- Fourth Degree: The least serious of indictable crimes include possession of a limited amount of Marijuana, forgery, criminal trespass and cyber harassment.
Other factors will also be influential.
