Meter Maid Charged With Obstructing Police
A parking enforcement officer from Bayonne was criminally charged on Dec. 7 when her job interfered with police detectives’ job, reports the Jersey Journal.
Two police detectives were staking out a narcotics suspect in an unmarked car parked at a meter when the officer, Susan Wojtkowski, began writing them a ticket. They opened the window and explained that they were police officers, sparking an argument. While they talked, the suspect left the area. The detectives wanted to follow, but Wojtkowski refused to move away from the car until she had finished writing their ticket. Later that day, she was charged with obstructing a governmental function, which can be handled as either a criminal charge or as a minor infraction -- like a parking ticket.
The Journal couldn’t reach Wojtkowski for comment, but it’s easy to see how this could be a misunderstanding gone wrong. After all, the detectives were working undercover, in an unmarked car. It’s possible that Wojtkowski simply thought they were lying about their job in order to avoid a parking ticket. If that’s the case, she may be guilty of nothing more than doing a thorough job. Under those circumstances, it would be a shame for her to face criminal charges and the possibility of damage to her career, her family and her finances.
At Lependorf & Silverstein, we know how much is at stake for people who have been charged with a crime in New Jersey. Even seemingly minor charges like resisting arrest can result in jail time, steep fines and a felony criminal record. That’s why we always recommend that people accused of a crime consider hiring an experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyer to help them protect their rights, their freedom and their futures. If you’re facing criminal charges stemming from obstructing police officers, resisting arrest or other New Jersey criminal charges, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.
