Paterson Criminal Lawyers Defending First Degree, Second Degree, Third Degree & Fourth Degree Crimes
When someone is arrested for a crime in Passaic County, the severity of the offense hinges on the degree of the charge. The most serious indictable charges are those of the First Degree and the least severe are Fourth Degree. Each grade of criminal violation carries different potential penalties and our defense lawyers are skilled in defending all of them. All indictable charges are handled at the Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson New Jersey, and it is important that you have an attorney at your side with the muscle to defend you when you enter that court. Give us a call anytime 24/7 to speak to one of our attorneys about how we can help you out of this dilemma with the least impact on your life.
A First Degree crime generally carries a period of imprisonment of between ten (10) and twenty (20) years. The fine imposed can be as high as $200,000. Examples of charges of the first degree include armed robbery, felony murder, and drug distribution involving extremely high quantities. Second Degree crimes involve jail exposure of five (5) to ten (10) years and fines of up to $150,000. Common second degree charges are aggravated assault, theft offenses involving property with a value of $75,000 or more, and strong arm robbery. Jail of zero (0) to five (5) years and fines not to exceed $15,000 are triggered upon conviction of a Third Degree. Drug possession is a typical third degree crime and so are conspiracy and credit card fraud. Fourth Degree offenses carry fines of up to $10,000 and jail that can reach eighteen (18) months. A good example of a fourth degree violation is distribution of a small amount of marijuana (i.e. one once or less).
If you have questions regarding an indictment or exposure to an indictable charge, do not hesitate to contact one of our lawyers at 862-203-4070. Initial consultations are complimentary.
