Kenneth Vercammen & Associates, P.C.
2053 Woodbridge Avenue - Edison, NJ 08817
(732) 572-0500 www.njlaws.com
Kenneth Vercammen was included in the “Super Lawyers” list published by Thomson Reuters

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Pre Trial Intervention for First Offender Criminal Charges

Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI)
Edited by Kenneth Vercammen from Judiciary Information Sheet
If you have no prior criminal charges I recommended that my clients apply for PTI Pre Trial Intervention. Please read the details at http://www.njlaws.com/pre-trial_inter....
We provide our clients with a copy of the Uniform Defendant Intake form used to interview persons by the Criminal Division. We advise clients to please read, fill out. You may wish to fax or bring to my office for review. In Middlesex County, interviews are held at 14 Kirkpatrick St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901. We suggest you call the Criminal Division first to confirm they have your file ready 732-565-5065.

When you go to be interviewed bring the Complaint, pay stubs, photo ID, and your entire file in connection with your matter. You must pay the $75.00 application fee.

In support of your application for PTI the prosecutor and court will later review any letters or documents that are submitted to the Court on your behalf. Please type up and deliver to my office a list of 15 reasons why the prosecutor should approve PTI within 10 days.
I recommend very strongly that you obtain letters from relatives or other individuals who know you who would be willing to write to the Court to indicate that there should not be incarceration. These letters should set forth favorable aspects regarding your life and your future. They should point out some of the good traits that you possess. They should also feel free to put any other reasons why the prosecutor should approve PTI. The letter should include your date of birth and complaint or indictment number. These letters are for your benefit and these instructions should be followed. These letters of reference should go to the Criminal Division, which interviewed you for PTI.
Please bring an extra copy of all letters of reference, pay stubs and any other documents for the court just in case the court has lost the copies. Kenneth Vercammen & Associates Law Office represents people charged with criminal offenses. We provide representation throughout New Jersey. Criminal charges can cost you. If convicted, you can face prison, fines over $10,000, jail, probation over 18 months, and other penalties. Don't give up! Our Law Office can provide experienced attorney representation for criminal violations. Our website www.njlaws.com provides information on criminal cases.

What is the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI)?
The Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) provides defendants, generally first-time offenders, with opportunities for alternatives to the traditional criminal justice process of ordinary prosecution. PTI seeks to render early rehabilitative services, when such services can reasonably be expected to deter future criminal behavior. The PTI program is based on a rehabilitative model that recognizes that there may be an apparent causal connection between the offense charged and the rehabilitative needs of a defendant. Further, the rehabilitative model emphasizes that social, cultural, and economic conditions often result in a defendant’s decision to commit crime. Simply stated, PTI strives to solve personal problems which tend to result from the conditions that appear to cause crime, and ultimately, to deter future criminal behavior by a defendant.

Standardized Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) Procedures

Directive #14-05 promulgates for statewide use a standard set of forms for processing Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) cases through the Criminal and Probation Divisions of the Superior Court. Since December 1, 2005, the following language is used, replacing any corresponding forms now in use in the court vicinages:


What Are the Benefits of the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI)?
If PTI is successfully completed, there is no record of conviction and the defendant avoids the stigma of a criminal record. Although no record of a conviction exists, a defendant may want to file for an expungement to remove any record of the original arrest.

Early intervention allows rehabilitative services to be provided soon after the alleged offense, in an attempt to correct the behavior that led to the offense. Some of the costs associated with the formal court process are eliminated through acceptance into PTI. PTI provides early resolution of a case, which serves the interests of the victim, the public and the defendant. PTI reduces the burden on the court and allows resources to be devoted to more serious criminals.