"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" is a hit reality TV program, whether New Jersey residents are proud of that fact or not. Three of the Bravo network stars included in the cast are now in more than just the TV spotlight; they are in the legal limelight.
Jacqueline and Chris Laurita and Joe Gorga were charged with assault earlier this month after an incident that allegedly took place in Ridgewood. The three reality celebs are accused of attacking and threatening a 38-year-old individual in a store. Will the successful TV show include a storyline of the three being convicted of this crime?
E! News reports that the incident in question took place during the filming of the program. That could be either good or bad news for the three Bergen County defendants, depending on what the footage might show. The reported fact that the Lauritas and Gorga all filed their own complaints regarding the incident suggests that they refute the supposed victim's account of what happened.
This isn't the first time that stars from the New Jersey housewives installment have dealt with the law. They all likely know how important it is to rely on aggressive, experienced legal representation in order to mitigate the circumstances of a criminal charge.
An assault conviction in New Jersey can lead to jail time, fines, probation and more. The severity of the sentencing would depend on the incident as well as an individual's criminal past. Maybe this legal hiccup will be good for the Bravo show's ratings, but an assault conviction is never good for a person's criminal record or reputation.
Source: E! News, "Real Housewives of New Jersey's Jacqueline and Chris Laurita and Joe Gorga Hit With Assault Charges," Alexis L. Loinaz, April 5, 2013