Criminal lawyers in New Jersey may need to consult with a New Jersey employment lawyer when advising their clients on plea agreements when the defendant holds a public position. Commit a crime in the State of New Jersey and you can risk losing your right to public employment. New Jersey is one of the many states which may prohibit an individual from holding ant type of public employment if they plead guilty or are convicted of a crime. The relevant statute in New Jersey, 2C:51-2. Forfeiture of Public Office, Position, or Employment, states in pertinent part as follows:
a. A person holding any public office, position, or employment, elective or appointive, under the government of this State or any agency or political subdivision thereof, who is convicted of an offense shall forfeit such office, position or employment if:
(1) He is convicted under the laws of this State of an offense involving dishonesty or of a crime of the third degree or above or under the laws of another state or of the United States of an offense or a crime which, if committed in this State, would be such an offense or crime;
(2) He is convicted of an offense involving or touching such office, position or employment; or
