Unlike other states, New Jersey does not use the terms "felony" or "misdemeanor." Instead, the equivalent of a felony is an "indictable crime," while the equivalent of a misdemeanor is a "disorderly person offense." There are also "petty disorderly person offenses," which are the least serious violations. The different levels of offenses carry different penalties:

• Indictable Crimes: There are a wide variety of indictable crimes, ranging from fourth-degree crimes to first-degree crimes. First-degree crimes, including armed robbery and sexual assault, can be punished with up to 20 years in prison.
• Disorderly Person Offenses: Examples of disorderly person offenses include simple assault and shoplifting. These can be punished with up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
• Petty Disorderly Person Offenses: Petty disorderly person offenses, such as disorderly conduct or trespassing, can be punished with up to 30 days in jail and up to $500 in fines.

Note that disorderly person offenses and petty disorderly person offenses are not technically considered crimes, so they do not involve a jury trial. Instead, people charged with these minor offenses appear before a judge, who will make a unilateral decision regarding their sentence. 

Men and women accused of any degree of crime have a right to a criminal defense lawyer. While the court can provide a public defender, your chances of success greatly increase if you work with an attorney like Ihab Ibrahim.