East Brunswick Hindering Prosecution Attorney
East Brunswick Hindering Prosecution Lawyers
Arrested for a hindering offense in Middlesex County? Hindering apprehension or prosecution is a serious crime in New Jersey and it is in your best interest to consult an attorney at your earliest convenience. The types of conduct that can lead to charges for hindering include providing false information, disposing of evidence, and even warning someone that they will soon be arrested. You may not expect to be charged with hindering for trying to get rid of drugs before a search of your home or vehicle or telling someone to leave the scene of a domestic dispute before the police arrive. Regardless of the reason for your hindering charges, being convicted could lead to jail time. If you or your loved one has been charged with hindering apprehension or hindering prosecution in New Jersey, the criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of William Proetta Criminal Law can help. Our highly experienced criminal defense lawyers are available immediately for a free initial consultation regarding your hindering charges. With local offices in Middlesex County, we represent clients charged with hindering offenses in Milltown, Carteret, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Avenel, Colonia, Port Reading, South Amboy, and any other municipality in the surrounding area. Call us today at (732) 659-9600 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment with an attorney.
Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution Charges in Middlesex County NJ
For a better understanding of NJ hindering law and the charges that you or your loved one might be facing, please refer to the following statute:
N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3 governs hindering prosecution charges in New Jersey and reads in pertinent part:
§ 2C:29-3. Hindering apprehension or prosecution
a. A person commits an offense if, with purpose to hinder the detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction or punishment of another for an offense or violation of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes or a violation of chapter 33A of Title 17 of the Revised Statutes he:
(1) Harbors or conceals the other;
(2) Provides or aids in providing a weapon, money, transportation, disguise or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension or effecting escape;
(3) Suppresses, by way of concealment or destruction, any evidence of the crime, or tampers with a witness, informant, document or other source of information, regardless of its admissibility in evidence, which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a charge against him;
(4) Warns the other of impending discovery or apprehension, except that this paragraph does not apply to a warning given in connection with an effort to bring another into compliance with law;
(5) Prevents or obstructs, by means of force, intimidation or deception, anyone from performing an act which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a charge against him;
(6) Aids such person to protect or expeditiously profit from an advantage derived from such crime; or
(7) Gives false information to a law enforcement officer or a civil State investigator assigned to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor established by section 32 of P.L.1998, c.21.
An offense under paragraph (5) of subsection a. of this section is a crime of the second degree, unless the actor is a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union, parent or child to the person aided who is the victim of the offense, in which case the offense is a crime of the fourth degree. Otherwise, the offense is a crime of the third degree if the conduct which the actor knows has been charged or is liable to be charged against the person aided would constitute a crime of the second degree or greater, unless the actor is a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union, parent or child of the person aided, in which case the offense is a crime of the fourth degree. The offense is a crime of the fourth degree if such conduct would constitute a crime of the third degree. Otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense.
b. A person commits an offense if, with purpose to hinder his own detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction or punishment for an offense or violation of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes or a violation of chapter 33A of Title 17 of the Revised Statutes, he:
(1) Suppresses, by way of concealment or destruction, any evidence of the crime or tampers with a document or other source of information, regardless of its admissibility in evidence, which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
(2) Prevents or obstructs by means of force or intimidation anyone from performing an act which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
(3) Prevents or obstructs by means of force, intimidation or deception any witness or informant from providing testimony or information, regardless of its admissibility, which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
(4) Gives false information to a law enforcement officer or a civil State investigator assigned to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor established by section 32 of P.L.1998, c.21.
An offense under paragraph (3) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the second degree. Otherwise, the offense is a crime of the third degree if the conduct which the actor knows has been charged or is liable to be charged against him would constitute a crime of the second degree or greater. The offense is a crime of the fourth degree if such conduct would constitute a crime of the third degree. Otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense.
Explaining Hindering Criminal Offenses
Essentially, the prohibited conduct under the hindering statute includes:
- Provides someone, who is being pursued by the police, with a weapon, money, transportation, etc.
- Harbors or conceals someone who is being pursued by the police
- Destroys evidence of a crime
- Provides false information to police to avoid arrest
- Warns the individual of impending arrest
- Prevents or obstructs another from apprehending the individual
- Aids in protecting the proceeds of a crime
Penalties for New Jersey Hindering Prosecution Charges
Typically, hindering prosecution is a disorderly persons offense that results in a permanent criminal record and is accompanied by up to six (6) months incarceration. However, there are certain situations in which a hindering prosecution charge is a Third Degree or Fourth Degree offense depending on the circumstances. Accordingly, if you or your loved one has been charged with hindering prosecution or hindering apprehension in New Jersey, contact William Proetta Criminal Law at (732) 659-9600 for a free consultation where we will build a case strategy customized to meet your needs.