What is lewdness sentence in New Jersey? Rapper Joe Budden Charged after found naked at NJ apartment

In a recent turn of events, the Edgewater Police Department charged Joe Budden with lewdness. Police have acted upon the allegations leveled by Budden's neighbor. The New Jersey rapper and podcaster has been accused of walking naked in the hallway of the apartment complex where he resides.

In a press release on Monday, December 30, Edgewater Police Department stated the allegations and incident as follows:

"On December 4, 2024 at approximately 07:21 am, The Edgewater Police were dispatched to an apartment complex for the report from a resident that a man was standing outside their apartment door completely naked."

The statement continues,

"The caller recognized the man as a neighbor, JOSEPH BUDDEN JR, a 44-year-old male. The caller was alerted to BUDDEN by their doorbell camera. The video depicted BUDDEN attempting to enter a code into the door keypad several times before reentering his own residence across the hall."

After the alleged incident was reported, police finalized the charges after an investigation. Joe Budden has been charged with Lewdness, 2C:14-4a (disorderly persons offense). As per the New Jersey law, a person is said to have committed a disorderly persons offense if:

"he does any flagrantly lewd and offensive act which he knows or reasonably expects is likely to be observed by other nonconsenting persons who would be affronted or alarmed."

In New Jersey, the lewdness sentence varies according to the charge. If a person is proven guilty of committing a disorderly person's offense for lewdness, they will be penalized with a six-month jail term and a maximum fine of $1,000.

Edgewater Police Chief Donald A. Martin has stated that "these charges are merely accusations" while also adding,

"The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

However, apart from posting an Instagram story, the "Pump It Up" artist hasn't directly responded to the allegations.

Joe Budden shares a meme on Instagram after getting charged

Soon after Joe Budden was charged by the Edgewater Police Department, the NJ rapper shared a meme via his Instagram account. The meme features Jeff Teague smirking while holding his phone.

Besides the apparent response, Budden has yet to address the allegations. However, in one of his recent podcasts, Budden mentioned having problems with his neighbors due to sleepwalking.

Following the press release by the Edgewater Police, Joe Budden's attorney, Nima Ameri, did comment on the situation. Talking to TMZ, Ameri said,

"Mr. Budden is saddened by Police Chief Martin's press release. Mr. Budden has been waiting weeks for his cross complaints to be processed which include substantially more serious charges including possible felony charges against the persons behind these charges against him."

She further added,

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"The Chief has in our opinion sat on those but instead used his time to gain some free publicity for himself. Chief Martin should seek publicity by doing notable policing not inflaming disorderly person allegations."

In her conversation, Ameri also suggested that the Police Chief's comments were "reckless" and "racially motivated." The Edgewater Police have yet to respond to Ameri's remarks. Joe Budden, on the other hand, has a court date set for January 16, 2025.

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