Q: Can a harrasment complaint in the forth degree that has been filed be settled out of court
A: No Criminal charges can be settled out of court you must go to court and be sentenced by the judge. I suggest a lawyer as you are facing up to 18 months in jail $7500 fine and probation for up to 5 years.
A:
Short answer: no. Once a criminal complaint is filed then the matter is handled by the County Prosecutor and not a private litigant. The prosecutor may be willing to plea bargain but the end result will be a plea on the record before a judge. Any sentencing will be done by the judge.
This charge is a serious matter. It carries penalties of 18 months in jail, fines of up to $7,500, and probation of up to 5 years. It is important to have an attorney on your side. Many attorneys offer a free consultation. I think it would be wise for you to consult an attorney.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
