The New Jersey criminal court may judge you harshly if you stand before them for allegedly committing a second or third criminal offense. But this may be especially consequential if this supposed crime was violent in nature. Without further ado, please follow along to find out what happens when you are a repeat violent offender and how one of the experienced New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C., can help defend you for your current conviction.
What happens if I am a repeat violent offender in New Jersey?
The state of New Jersey enforces what is known as the three-strikes law. Simply put, this rule holds that a judge is allowed to order you to harsher penalties if you have two prior criminal convictions before this current conviction. This is particularly for crimes that are violent in nature, such as murder, aggravated manslaughter, sexual assault, kidnapping, and robbery.
For example, say that you are being tried for sexual assault. Well, typically, second-degree and first-degree sexual assault hold the penalties of up to 10 or 20 years in prison and up to $150,000 or $200,000 in fines, respectively. And with the state’s No Early Release Act, you may have to serve 85 percent of this prison sentence before being granted parole eligibility. And even then, you may still face an order for Parole Supervision for Life.
Well, even though this is seemingly harsh, it is a better alternative than if this were to be your third time committing this crime. That is, upon your third offense, the judge may have the right to ignore these statutory sentences, along with the No Early Release Act, and instead impose a lifetime prison sentence with an indefinite parole ineligibility.
What happens if this is only my second criminal offense?
Even though this may only be your second criminal offense, and lifetime imprisonment is an unlikely possibility, the judge may still hold and exercise their right to order an extended prison term. This is particularly for certain second- and third-degree violent crimes.
For example, say that this is your second time being found guilty of aggravated criminal sexual contact. This is classified as a third-degree crime and associated with punishments such as three to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine, among other things. However, as a repeat offender, the judge may find it appropriate to, at the very least, impose a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, all of which you may be ineligible for early release. Or, they may go as far as stretching the term to up to 10 years.
All of this to say, the judge will seriously consider your prior convictions before applying the verdict for your current case. If you desire more clarity before you head into these proceedings, please do not wait any longer to reach out to one of the experienced New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers. Retain the services of The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C., today.
