New Jersey  Expungement Lawyers

Bergen County Township Ordinance Expungement Attorneys

Often times when an individual pleads guilty to what is known as a township ordinance they are under the mistaken believe that conviction will not show up on a background check. This may be true under a very specific set of facts, traditionally if the defendant was charged originally with a borough ordinance, it should not show up on a background check. However, if the defendant was originally charged with a criminal offense and that offense was downgraded to a local city ordinance, then it will most likely show up on the defendants background check.  Therefore, what started out as drunken incident in your college days might end up coming back to effect you later on in life when you go for that important job. Some of the traditional charges that can be downgraded to a township ordinance include but are not limited too, shoplifting, disorderly conduct, simple assault, trespassing and criminal mischief. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is an experienced Bergen County Criminal Defense firm with a long track record of success. Here is some important information with regards to expunging a local borough ordinance, including the necessary waiting period.

Expunging a Township Ordinance: N.J.S.A. 2C:52-4

Unlike expunging a felony criminal offense or disorderly person offenses (misdemeanors) their is no limit to the amount of local city ordinances in which an individual may have expunged.  In addition, the fact that a defendant has previously had an expungement for either a prior criminal conviction or has been granted a dismissal of a criminal offense following the completion of a diversion program, will not automatically disqualify the defendant from having their borough ordinance(s) expunged.

The governing statute in New Jersey for expunging a township ordinances is N.J.S.A. 2C:52-4, which in pertinent part states that,

In all cases wherein a person has been found guilty of violating a municipal ordinance of any governmental entity of this State and who has not been convicted of any prior or subsequent crime, whether within this State or any other jurisdiction, and who has not been adjudged a disorderly person or petty disorderly person on more than two occasions, may, after the expiration of a period of 2 years from the date of his conviction, payment of fine, satisfactory completion of probation or release from incarceration, whichever is later may file to have there criminal record expunged.

It is important to note here that the Defendant must wait two years from the expiration of his date of conviction, payment of fines or release from probation or incarceration, (which ever is later) before they can file to have their criminal record expunged. The expungement laws in New Jersey are very complicated and often require an experience expungement lawyer to determine if the defendant is even eligible let alone filing the expungement.

Experienced New Jersey Expungement Firm

The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is an experienced expungement firm. We have the experience and knowledge to successfully erase your criminal record. If you or someone you know is looking to have their criminal record expunged we can help. If you have any further questions please contact any one of our Bergen County Offices for a free initial consultation with any one of our eight criminal defense attorneys.