New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog
Pranks, dares, and social media challenges may seem like fun on the surface, but they can quickly cross the line. When that happens, the consequences can be serious.
Activities that result in physical harm to another, damage to property, or panic throughout a community can lead to criminal charges ranging from disorderly persons offenses to indictable crimes, resulting in both criminal and collateral consequences. In extreme cases involving older juveniles and the most severe crimes, there is the possibility of the case being waived up to adult superior court.
Collateral consequences of prank-related crimes can impact the offender’s life long after the court-imposed penalties are completed. These consequences can affect the offender’s educational opportunities by resulting in the denial of admission, loss of scholarship or financial aid, or probation, suspension or expulsion from classes. They can also affect the offender’s ability to obtain a professional license, especially when seeking a career in the medical, dental, law, or accounting fields.
In New Jersey, felonies are referred to as indictable offenses, misdemeanors as disorderly persons offenses. Indictable offenses are serious crimes with penalties ranging from 18 months to life in prison. Convictions carry lifelong consequences.
Having a criminal record can impact an offender’s life long after their case has concluded. A criminal record may affect one’s ability to gain employment, obtain housing, and hold certain professional certifications and licenses, among other things. In some instances, qualifying offenders can avoid this by having their criminal records expunged.