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Morristown Restraining Order Violation Attorneys

The Tormey Law Firm NJ Restraining Order Guide Part 8 – What happens if I violate a restraining order in New Jersey?

What happens if I violate a restraining order NJ

Violations of Restraining Order NJ

The violation of a restraining order in New Jersey is a criminal offense. In fact, depending on the nature of the act that violates the restraining order, anyone who violates a restraining order will be charged with either a fourth degree crime or a disorderly persons offense. Then, you will be required to appear at the New Jersey Superior Court in the County that charged you with contempt and if you cannot afford an attorney, you will be permitted to complete an application for a public defender. As with all criminal offenses, a contempt charge is serious and subjects the defendant to imprisonment, fines, and having a permanent criminal record. If you are charged with contempt, the criminal defense attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm are available to explain the charges to you and defend your case.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:35-30, the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (“PDVA”) establishes that a violation of either a temporary restraining order or final restraining order is a crime. Specifically, under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9(b), a person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree if that person purposely or knowingly violates any provision in a restraining order entered under the provisions of the PDVA when the conduct which constitutes the violation is a separate crime or a disorderly persons offense. In all other cases, a person is guilty of a disorderly persons offense if that person knowingly violates a restraining order. That is, if the violation of the restraining order is not in itself a crime or an offense, then the defendant will be charged with a disorderly persons offense. For example, if the defendant on a restraining order merely sends a text message to the plaintiff, the act of sending the text message is not an independent criminal offense and the defendant will be charged with the disorderly persons offense of contempt. However, if the defendant assaults the plaintiff, the act of assault is an independent criminal offense and the defendant will be charged with assault and fourth degree contempt.

What will happen if I violate a restraining order in NJ?

Under New Jersey’s criminal code, a fourth degree crime is punishable by up to a $10,000 fine and 18 months in prison; and a disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 6 months in jail. However, under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-30, the PDVA also mandates that any person convicted of a second or subsequent disorderly persons domestic violence contempt offense shall serve a minimum term of not less than 30 days in jail, without exception. Accordingly, if you are charged with contempt for violating a restraining order, you are facing severe penalties including a mandatory 30 days in county jail if you have been previously convicted of contempt of a restraining order. The domestic violence attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm have defended countless clients against allegations of contempt and if you have been charged with contempt, they are ready to put their skills to work defending you.

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With offices in Hackensack, Morristown, Newark, Middletown, and New Brunswick, our lawyers can represent you anywhere in New Jersey and are available immediately to assist you at (908)-336-5008

Hackensack / Bergen County

254 State Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601

  • 201-556-1570
  • 201-556-1572
Hackensack Office

Morristown / Morris County

60 Washington St Suite 200A,
Morristown, NJ 07960

  • 908-336-5008
  • 201-556-1572
Morristown Office

Newark / Essex County

1 Gateway Center Suite 2600
Newark, NJ 07102

  • 201-654-3464
  • 201-556-1572
Newark Office

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Travis J. Tormey is a distinguished member of the legal community and a respected legal resource on domestic violence. He has been featured in a variety of prominent publications and media outlets, including CBS radio, Aol News, the Asbury Park Press, NJ.com, and the Daily Record. Mr. Tormey has also been recognized as one of the the top criminal attorneys under 40 years of age by the National Trial Lawyers Association and the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Whether representing victims or the wrongly accused, Travis remains passionately committed to protecting the rights of the innocent.

Areas we serve

The Tormey Law Firm LLC handles restraining order cases in Bergen County (Hackensack), Morris County (Morristown), Passaic County (Paterson), Union County (Elizabeth), Hudson County (Jersey City), Middlesex County (New Brunswick), Somerset County (Somerville), Sussex County (Newton), Essex County (Newark), Hunterdon County (Flemington), Mercer County (Trenton), Monmouth County (Freehold), Warren County (Belvidere), Ocean County (Toms River), Burlington County (Mount Holly), and throughout NJ.

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