Violent Crimes in New Jersey

A violent crime occurs when one person harms or threatens to harm another person. In New Jersey, non-violent crimes are all crimes punishable by jail time that do not threaten to or actually involve bodily injury.

There are many different types of violent crimes, including assault, robbery, manslaughter and murder. If you are accused of having committing a violent crime, you could be facing decades of jail time, public stigma, a tarnished reputation and loss of current and future employment. As criminal trial lawyers, the Daniel M. Rosenberg & Associates team is ready to advocate and fight for you to get the best result under the circumstances. Whether that is negotiating a plea, getting a dismissal of your charges or going to trial, your legal team will be relentless in your fight.

Assault

There are two types of assault in New Jersey: simple and aggravated. Each is classified by the type of injury the victim sustained. Simple assault can include harming someone in self defense, negligence with a deadly weapon that causes injury, or an unsuccessful attempt to harm another person. Aggravated assault typically involves harming another person on purpose. Causing bodily harm using a motor vehicle — assault by auto — is also an assault crime in N.J. These can include leaving the scene of an accident and DUI charges on school property.

• Simple Assault
• Aggravated Assault
• Assault by Auto

Robbery

Robbery is a theft crime that involves stealing something and threatening to or actually harming a person in the process. Carjacking and armed robbery are two of the most common types of robbery. Robbery is a serious crime in New Jersey and any person convicted of robbery in subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which states the person must serve 85 percent of their sentence before being eligible for parole.

Domestic Violence

A crime that occurs between two household members or romantic partners is called domestic violence. Domestic violence can include any number of crimes or offenses, such as sex crimes, harassment, simple assault, kidnapping, trespassing, criminal mischief and homicide. In New Jersey, domestic violence assault charges are very serious and carry a variety of penalties including compensation to the victim, restraining orders, custody of pets and children, and take away your right to own or purchase firearms.

Death by Auto

Cars, trucks and other motor vehicles are deadly weapons and should be used with caution. Those who cause a crash that results in death could be charged with vehicular homicide if they were driving recklessly. Reckless driving can include driving while intoxicated, sleep deprivation and speeding. Vehicular homicide carries a five year prison sentence, at minimum. Working with a vehicular assault defense lawyer can help lower your prison sentence or prove your innocence.

Manslaughter

Manslaughter occurs when reckless behavior leads to accidental death. Depending on the case, manslaughter charges can incur the penalties for first degree or second degree crimes. First degree aggravated manslaughter — the most serious type of manslaughter charge — can lead to up to 30 years in prison.

Murder & Homicide

Whether planned or unplanned, killing someone else is a first-degree crime in New Jersey. Additionally, a person can be charged with felony murder if they accidentally kill someone while committing another crime like robbery or sexual assault. You may also face homicide charges if you serious injure someone and they later die due to their injuries. In a homicide case, there is no substitute for hiring your own murder lawyer to defend you. First degree murder carries with it a potential penalty of 30 years to life in prison, with 30 years to be served without the eligibility for parole.