Passaic County NJ Witness Tampering Lawyer

Criminal Defense Attorney in Totowa, New Jersey

Criminal defense attorney Alissa D. Hascup represents clients throughout New Jersey that have been charged with offenses against the public, including witness tampering, resisting arrest, and tampering with physical evidence in Paterson, Clifton, Totowa, Little Falls, Morristown, Denville, Hackensack, and Newark.

She has successfully handled thousands of cases in New Jersey’s Superior Courts (indictable/felony level offenses) and Municipal Courts (disorderly persons/misdemeanor level offenses). Ms. Hascup is a former Assistant County Prosecutor, Special Deputy Attorney General, and Municipal Prosecutor, who prosecuted a wide array of cases during the course of her career, ranging from attempted murder to witness tampering. Now she is fighting for you.

Being charged with witness tampering in the State of New Jersey means potential exposure (in the extreme) to a lengthy term of imprisonment in New Jersey State Prison. Having a defense attorney who understands how to attack the State’s case and put you in a position to achieve the best possible result means all the difference. Contact Alissa D. Hascup anytime for an initial consultation, which is always provided free of charge.

Tampering With Witnesses and Informants in New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2C:28-5

Tampering With Witnesses and Informants is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:28-5, which provides:

a. Tampering. A person commits an offense if, believing that an official proceeding or investigation is pending or about to be instituted or has been institutes, he knowingly engages in conduct which a reasonable person would believe would cause a witness or informant to:

1. Testify or inform falsely;
2. Withhold any testimony, information, document or thing;
3. Elude legal process summoning him to testify or supply evidence;
4. Absent himself from any proceeding or investigation to which he has been legally summoned; or
5. Otherwise obstruct, delay, prevent or impede an official proceeding or investigation.

Witness tampering is a crime of the first degree if the conduct occurs in connection with an official proceeding or investigation involving any crime enumerated in the No Early Release Act ( NERA ), codified at N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2d, and the actor uses force or threat of force.

Witness tampering is a crime of the second degree if the actor uses force or threat of force. Otherwise, witness tampering is a crime of the third degree.

Other Witness Tampering Offenses

b. Retaliation Against Witness or Informant. A person commits an offense if he harms another by an unlawful act with purpose to retaliate for or on account of the service of another as a witness or informant. The offense is a crime of the second degree if the actor uses force or threat of force. Otherwise, it is a crime of the third degree.

c. Witness or Informant Taking Bribe. A person commits a crime of the third degree if he solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any benefit in consideration of his doing any of the things specified in paragraphs (1) through (5) above.

d. Bribery of Witness or Informant. A person commits a crime of the second degree if he directly or indirectly offers, confers or agrees to confer upon a witness or informant any benefit in consideration of the witness or informant doing any of the things specified in paragraphs (1) through (5) above.

A crime of the first degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 10 and 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 5 and 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.

A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison.

Contact a Denville NJ Witness Tampering Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you find yourself in a situation where you or a loved one have been charged with witness tampering, the consequences can be severe. Don’t delay in hiring legal representation. Ms. Hascup is a skilled and experienced attorney who knows the nuances of the law and can use that knowledge to your advantage. Call or email Alissa D. Hascup right away. She is ready to fight for you.