Legal Question in Criminal Law in New Jersey

The entire story is far too long to type, however I will give a breif summary of what had occured in the past 3 months.

I am 17 years old with a male friend who is 60. My parents had no idea until 3 months ago, when they checked the phone carrier account which showed that I was texting his number constantly. They went to the police station and had shared the story with the police. They gave the detectives items that he had gave me including money, jewelry, and a computer tablet. The most they could do is file for harrassment because I had been interviewed and told the detective how the man had never done anything creepy. The court trial was remanded to the municipal court, and the judge gave him the maximum of a $500 fine. The judge was not happy at all. He ordered the man to stay away from me. No contact whatsoever.

Since I had not attended the court trial, I was not aware of the seriousness of the situation. Two days after the trial, I texted his phone through my email account, asking him what happened in court. He texted me back a few times and explained how the judge ordered him to have no contact with me. Two days after that, he was arrested for it. He is currently out on bail, awaiting another trial. He had a hearing a few weeks ago. This time, it's going to the Superior Court.

I had done hours and hours of research & talked to someone very experienced in law. I found out that the sentence for first offense contempt of court is 0 to 180 days in jail and 0 to $1000 fine. The person I talked to said that he would be extremely suprised if my friend got any jail sentence due to the length of the conversation, and nature of the conversation.

Today, however, I found a letter that my parents are sending to the Prosecutor. They are making me seem like a poor, defensless little puppy, while they are making him look like a monster who ruined my entire life. It makes me CONVINCED that he will get the maximum. I am afraid and worried..can you please explain to me if I have to correct information on the sentencing details? And also, do you think he will recieve the maximum, even though the contact had been only a few text messages?


Asked on 6/26/12, 7:36 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ronald Aronds Law Office of Ronald Aronds, LLC

I don't understand why your friend was charged with anything at all. Under New Jersey law he did not commit any offense by texting you and giving you gifts. Even if you had a physical relationship with him it would not have been an offense. Nevertheless he was charged and apparently found guilty of harassment. The judge's personal opinion about the May-December relationship you had should not have been a factor in this case at all. As to the no contact order, if he did not initiate the contact with you then he has a defense to the charge as well. He needs an experienced lawyer to help him in this situation. Good luck with everything here.

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Answered on 6/27/12, 11:16 am


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