Those serving time in prison don’t always have the safest experience, such as is the case in the local news involving the New Jersey state prison system. Local authorities have stated that a gang was formed with the goal and intent of creating a hit squad. The alleged gang included 11 gang members who were responsible for committing assaults on other inmates.
Details of the Alledged Crime
Once the New Jersey Attorney General learned of the gang, they took action to charge those involved in the organized activity. On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General stated that the gang members have been indicted. They are being charged with conspiracy charges related to a specific attack of an inmate.
The attack occurred at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, New Jersey. They also believe that another attack was planned at the Northern State Prison in Newark, New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC) stepped in to prevent the additional attack from occurring. Prosecutors have also stated that a few of the gang’s members have already been charged with similar charges.
A total of nine alleged members of the gang were charged in April 2021. The charges filed in September by the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity will add an additional four assaults to these gang members. Each of the gang’s members will receive second-degree conspiracy charges. An additional nine gang members will receive first-degree charges for organizing street crime.
A few of the charges included in the indictment include yard assault, assault thwarted, shank use, criminal attacks, and punching and kicking.
First-Degree Criminal Consequences
A first-degree charge in New Jersey carries with it the most severe of potential legal consequences. First-degree charges may lead to:
- Between 10-30 years in prison
- Legal fines of up to $200,000
Second-Degree Consequences
Second-degree charges, while less than first-degree, may still carry with them harsh potential consequences. Second-degree charges may lead to:
- Between 5-10 years in prison
- Legal fines of up to $150,000
It’s also important to note that each of these charges is likely to be at the higher end. The fact that these crimes occurred in a state prison means that the offenders have already been convicted of a prior offense. Additionally, state law requires that crimes that involve gang criminality or promoting organized street crime be served consecutively to other offenses.
Also, crimes that involve possession of a weapon in relation to another crime require a convicted felon to serve a mandatory five years of parole without release eligibility. Third-degree charges may be less, but the judge will still consider previous offenses.
Your Future May Depend on Your Representation
If you’re dealing with potential criminal charges in New Jersey, especially if you already have prior offenses, it’s crucial that you discuss your case with a lawyer. You may have defense or negotiation options available, which can make a difference in the legal consequences that you receive. Your future is at risk and you need a criminal defense lawyer who understands the ins and out of the criminal system in New Jersey.
Contact an Experienced Trenton Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Assault Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged with assault in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at the Davis Law Firm, LLC have successfully represented clients charged with criminal charges in Hamilton, Trenton, Princeton, Lawrence, and throughout New Jersey. Call (609) 498-7722 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 2653 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
Disorderly conduct consists of any improper behavior such as fighting, threats of violence, or creating a dangerous atmosphere.
