What You Should Know

In New Jersey, we call the most serious crimes a person can be charged with “indictable offenses.” In everyday conversations, you will hear people refer to these as a felony.” The word “indictable” refers to the right of an accused person to have their matter set down before a Grand Jury to determine whether the prosecution, also known as the State, has enough evidence to show that the person who has been arrested has committed a crime. If enough of the Grand Jurors believe that there is sufficient evidence to keep a criminal charge alive against a person, they will return a document called an “indictment” which formally charges them with a criminal offense.

There are four categories of indictable offenses – fourth-degree, third-degree, second-degree, and first-degree. First and second-degree offenses are the most serious and are the most likely to lead to prison time if the person charged is found guilty and convicted of committing them. However, third and fourth-degree indictable offense also carry very serious possible penalties, including loss of driver’s license, jail time, and prison.

Indictable offenses include possession of controlled dangerous substances (CDS), aggravated assault, sexual offenses, robbery, drug distribution, gun and weapons related offenses, among others. These types of cases are dealt with in the Superior Court of New Jersey in the county where the alleged offense occurred. Our attorneys are skilled at negotiating and have a high success rate.