Hindering Offense

New Jersey Hindering Criminal Investigation

Have You Been Charged With Hindering In New Jersey?

Did you break a law to protect a loved one like your child, parent or spouse? Or maybe you tried to protect someone you believe is innocent, and now you’re facing charges yourself? Hindering is a crime in which a person acts in such a way to make it difficult for the law enforcement to carry out its objective.

Union County Harboring Suspect Lawyer

My name is Anthony N. Palumbo, New Jersey Hindering Attorney and partner at The Law Offices of Anthony N. Palumbo. I have over 35 years of experience as a Union County Defense Lawyer, and if you’ve been charged with a New Jersey Hindering Offense, I can help. I know what it’s like when people try to protect their loved ones and end up in a whirlwind of trouble themselves.

If you’ve been charged with a New Jersey Hindering Offense, contact me today at 908-272-9700 for a free initial consultation . I work closely with my criminal defense clients to discuss their needs and circumstances. I will apply the most aggressive defense strategy to fight the charges against you. Our firm defends individuals throughout New Jersey including Monmouth County, Middlesex County, Essex County, Ocean County, Union County, Hudson County, and Bergen County.

New Jersey Hindering Law

The New Jersey Hindering Statute is contained in N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3 of the New Jersey Criminal Code. The law for Hindering is divided into two parts. The first part explains how a person can be guilty of hindering another person. The second part explains how a person can be guilty of hindering themselves.

Hindering Another Person

A person commits an offense if, with the purpose to hinder the detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction or punishment of another for a violation of New Jersey Law, he:

Harbors or conceals the other; or
Provides or aids in providing a weapon, money, transportation, disguise or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension or effecting escape; or
Suppresses, by way of concealment or destruction, any evidence of the crime, or tampers with a witness, informant, document or other source of information, regardless of its admissibility in evidence, which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
Warns the other of impending discovery or apprehension, except that this paragraph does not apply to a warning given in connection with an effort to bring another into compliance with law; or
Prevents or obstructs, by means of force, intimidation or deception, anyone from performing an act which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
Aids such person to protect or expeditiously profit from an advantage derived from such crime; or
Gives false information to a law enforcement officer or a civil State investigator assigned to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

Hindering Yourself

A person commits an offense if, with purpose to hinder his own detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction or punishment for an offense or violation of New Jersey law, he:

Suppresses, by way of concealment or destruction, any evidence of the crime or tampers with a document or other source of information, regardless of its admissibility in evidence, which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
Prevents or obstructs by means of force or intimidation anyone from performing an act which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
Prevents or obstructs by means of force, intimidation or deception any witness or informant from providing testimony or information, regardless of its admissibility, which might aid in his discovery or apprehension or in the lodging of a charge against him; or
Gives false information to a law enforcement officer or a civil State investigator assigned to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor

Penalties If Convicted

Hindering is generally a disorderly persons offense, but sometimes it can be a crime. When a person is hindering to avoid a 2nd Degree Crime or higher, Hindering becomes a 3rd Degree Crime. However, there is an exception which applies when the person hindering a crime and the person accused of the hindered offense are married or have a parental relationship. When the exception applies, Hindering becomes a 4th Degree crime.

Disorderly Persons Offense

Up to 6 months in Prison

4th Degree Crime

Up to 18 months in Prison

3rd Degree Crime

3 to 5 years in Prison

Having A Criminal Defense Attorney By Your Side

Still have questions after reading the penalties of Hindering in New Jersey? Contact me for a free initial consultation and I will be happy to discuss any questions you may have. It is important to your defense that you have an experienced New Jersey Hindering attorney by your side. Without a Hindering lawyer, you may be pleading guilty to charges that could otherwise be dismissed. Call 908-272-9700 today. My goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you.