[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/blog\/domestic-violence-harassment-charge\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/blog\/domestic-violence-harassment-charge\/","headline":"Domestic Violence Harassment Charge Issued in NJ","name":"Domestic Violence Harassment Charge Issued in NJ","description":"By far one of the most common\u00a0acts of domestic violence\u00a0is harassment, which includes cyber harassment. These two charges can and more often than not, lead to an individual being saddled with a temporary restraining order on top of the criminal charges. To make matters worse, if the incident which lead to the individual being charged […]","datePublished":"2018-09-13","dateModified":"2025-08-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/blog\/author\/njcriminaldefensefirm\/#Person","name":"Keith Oliver Criminal Law","url":"https:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/blog\/author\/njcriminaldefensefirm\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/eea6bf238055b0a92b0fd9a26bcfdcabbb3a035497bf65cc7d3ba0ef726197ae?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/eea6bf238055b0a92b0fd9a26bcfdcabbb3a035497bf65cc7d3ba0ef726197ae?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Keith Oliver Criminal Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/logo-footer.png","url":"http:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/logo-footer.png","width":205,"height":68}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/domestic-violence-harassment-charge.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/domestic-violence-harassment-charge.jpg","height":2560,"width":2560},"url":"https:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/blog\/domestic-violence-harassment-charge\/","about":["Domestic Violence Charges"],"wordCount":863,"keywords":["Mercer County Domestic Violence Harassment Charge Attorney","Restraining Order for Harassment Charge in NJ","Robbinsville NJ Domestic Violence Harassment Lawyer","Trenton Harassment Charge Lawyer"],"articleBody":"By far one of the most common\u00a0acts of domestic violence\u00a0is harassment, which includes cyber harassment. These two charges can and more often than not, lead to an individual being saddled with a temporary restraining order on top of the criminal charges. To make matters worse, if the incident which lead to the individual being charged with harassment is classified as an act of domestic violence, that person more likely than not will be taken to the county jail for up to 48 hours so that pretrial services can conduct their interview. Which means, a simple heated text message exchange or a verbal dispute between loved ones can easily end with at least one of the parties spending at a minimum, a night in jail.Domestic Violence Harassment Charge Attorney in Mercer CountyIf you have been charged with harassment, cyber harassment or served with a temporary restraining order as a result of a harassment charge in Mercer County, we strongly urge that you speak to an experienced domestic violence defense attorney as soon as possible. Understanding your options and the severity of the offenses and consequences if convicted, are crucial. If you would like to speak to one of our Mercer County criminal defense attorneys today, please contact our Hamilton at 609-789-0779. One of our lawyers will be glad to go over the specifics and formulate a game plan that works best to suit your needs.Domestic Violence Harassment ChargesIf an individual has been charged with domestic violence harassment, then their charges must be litigated in criminal court, either the Mercer County Superior Court\u00a0or the local Municipal Court depending on the specific charge. It is important to note here that the criminal charge for harassment is separate and apart from a temporary restraining order (TRO) if one is issued as well.If the individual is charged with\u00a0harassment, in violation of NJSA 2C:33-4a, then their charges will be litigated in the local municipal court in the municipality where the incident happened. This is considered a\u00a0petty disorderly persons offense, which is New Jersey\u2019s version of a misdemeanor. If convicted, the individual will be facing up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $500.If the individual is charged with domestic violence\u00a0cyber-harassment, in violation of NJSA 2C:33-4.1, then their charges must be transferred to the Mercer County Superior Court for disposition. This is considered an\u00a0indictable offense, which is New Jersey\u2019s version of a felony. Since it is a fourth degree felony, if convicted, the individual will be facing up to 18 months in prison and up to $10,000 fine.Can I Get Bail on a Domestic Violence Harassment Charge?Pursuant to New Jersey\u2019s Bail Reform Act, if an individual is charged with an act of domestic violence, whether it be for simple assault, terroristic threat, harassment or any other offense for that matter then the charges must be charged under what is known as a warrant. If that is to occur, the individual must be detained in the county jail for at least 24 hours so that Pretrial Services can conduct a risk assessment. Depending on the risk assessment and the underlying facts, the prosecution must determine whether or not to file for a\u00a0Detention Hearing. If a detention hearings is filed, that means that they are seeking to convince the judge that the Defendant must be detained in the County Jail, without bail, pending trial. These hearings can and always should be contested.Can I Be Issued a Restraining Order for Harassing Text Messages?Harassment and cyber harassment allegations tend to be one of the most common basis for individuals to obtain a\u00a0temporary restraining orders\u00a0(TRO) in New Jersey.\u00a0 This is do in large part to the uprise in social media sites and texting. If the victim of a harassment allegation obtains a TRO, then the Defendant will be required to appear in the Chancery Division, Family Part of the Mercer County Superior Court to answer for the charges. During this hearing, it will be the plaintiff\u2019s (victims) burden to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that they are in fact a victim of an act of domestic violence and that they are in need of a final restraining order in order prevent being the victim of future acts of domestic violence. As touched upon earlier, this is separate and apart from the underlying criminal charges. For more information on\u00a0restraining orders in Mercer County, please click the link.Harassment Charge Lawyers in Hamilton, New JerseyKeith Oliver Criminal Law\u00a0is a New Jersey based criminal defense firm, comprised of attorneys who have dedicated their entire careers to defending those accused of crimes, including acts of domestic violence. If you have unfortunately found yourself in this situation and would like to discuss your options with one of our attorneys, then please contact our office directly at 609-789-0779. Our office serves all of Mercer County, including towns like\u00a0East Windsor, Hamilton, Trenton,\u00a0Lawrenceville, West Windsor, Princeton and\u00a0Robbinsville. As always, our initial consultations are free of costs, so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Domestic Violence Harassment Charge Issued in NJ","item":"https:\/\/www.njcriminaldefensefirm.com\/blog\/domestic-violence-harassment-charge\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]