Traffic Sign and Signal Damage Defense Lawyer In New Jersey
There are several crimes in the New Jersey code that are related to the charge of criminal mischief. These are not prosecuted as indictable offenses (New Jersey’s version of “felonies”). Damaging traffic signs or removing traffic signals is one of the cases heard in municipal courts.
These are usually heard as criminal offenses in NJ municipal courts.
One of these, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3.1, Traffic Sign, Signal Damage, Removal, makes it a disorderly persons offense to purposely, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently deface, injure, or remove an official traffic sign or signal.
This can cover a lot of territory. It includes spray painting or putting stickers on traffic signs (which may or may not cause confusion among drivers). Furthermore, it may include stealing a street sign with a funny name to hang in a dorm room.
What To Do If Your Was Child Arrested For Damaging Traffic Signs
Juveniles are usually heavily affected by this law.
It stipulates that if a young person is seen as delinquent for this conduct and fined, the parents will need to pay if their child doesn’t have the money.
Penalties for conviction under 2C:17-3.1 include the risk of some jail time (up to six months), plus fines of up to $1,000.
While it’s unlikely that a judge would throw the book at you and impose the maximum sentence, there is always that risk.
Protect yourself, or your child, from the worst that the courts have to offer.
Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.