Frequently Asked Question

WHAT IS A NON-INDICTABLE OFFENSE IN NEW JERSEY?

Considered less serious offenses, and comparable to misdemeanors in other States, non-indictable offenses not subject to grand jury presentment in New Jersey.
Examples include disorderly and petty disorderly offenses.
Non-indictable offenses are generally punishable by a fine or jail sentence of no more than six months. Though often heard in the Municipal Court, a case heard in Superior Court can be resolved by amending the charges into a non-indictable offense.

Comparable to a felony in other States, indictable crimes are serious offenses that are brought up to a grand jury.
They are classified by degree in the order of their seriousness from a first degree crime to a fourth degree crime, with first degree offenses having the most severe penalties.
Indictable offenses are generally punishable by a fine or jail sentence of more than six months.
All Indictable offenses are heard in the Superior Court.