Violent Crimes

How Our Attorneys Can Help as You Face Violent Crime Charges

Violent crimes are illegal acts that involve the use of force and infliction of bodily harm against another individual or threatening another person with bodily harm. In the most egregious cases, conviction properly leads to lengthy terms of imprisonment.

However, every defendant facing criminal charges deserves and has a Constitutional right to a robust legal defense that seeks the best available outcome for the individual charged.

Our attorneys will fight to protect your rights and to resolve the case brought against you in a manner that is as beneficial to you as possible. The sooner we can get involved in your case, the better chance we have to fight and rebut the charges against you.

Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall so that:

• An N.J. criminal defense lawyer from our team can immediately begin negotiating your release for the lowest bail available, if not on your own recognizance.
• Our team can initiate an independent investigation into the charges against you, including examining any evidence the prosecution has used to have you indicted, and argue for disputable evidence to be excluded from further proceedings.
• Our investigators can dig deep to identify flaws or misconduct in the prosecution’s case, such as:
  • Illegal arrest
  • Illegal search and seizure
  • Mistaken identity or faulty suspect lineup
  • False witness testimony
  • Faulty or fabricated evidence
  • Faulty forensic testing (particularly regarding DNA evidence)
  • Racial, ethnic, socio-economic, or other bias
  • Other police or prosecutorial misconduct

Potential defenses against violent crime charges include but are not limited to:

• Acting in self-defense against an attack
• Acting in the heat of passion
• Lack of intent to harm, or being incapable of forming the requisite intent due to impairment
• Mental illness at the time of the alleged crime that prevented distinguishing right from wrong or the consequences of the individual’s actions

Because of our attorneys’ experience across the state, we have the relationships necessary to begin fruitful negotiations right away toward having charges dismissed or reduced as part of a plea bargain.

As our investigation progresses, our entire legal team will be committed to preparing a strong and persuasive case to present to a jury if a trial is necessary. If a conviction is inevitable, again, the professional relationships our attorneys enjoy with prosecutors across the state will help us argue for a minimum sentence and alternatives to jail time.

Talk to our N.J. violent crime attorneys today to learn how we can put our knowledge, skills and experience to work for you. Remember, an arrest is the beginning of a long process that does not have to end in a guilty verdict. There is reason to be optimistic when you have an experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall in your corner.

Common Types of Violent Crime Cases Our Law Firm Handles

During our careers as prosecutors, public defenders, and now criminal defense attorneys in New Jersey, we have handled a wide range of cases involving allegations of violence and crimes of violence. Some of the types of violent crime cases our law firm takes include:

For your rights to be protected to the fullest extent allowed by law, it is crucial to engage a criminal defense attorney experienced in New Jersey courts as soon as possible after being arrested for a violent crime. Schedule a free consultation with the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at any of our nine New Jersey locations today for a prompt response to your needs.

Penalties for Violent Crimes in New Jersey

Depending on the crime you are being charged with, you could be facing extremely harsh punishment under New Jersey law. There are numerous crimes that are classified as involving threat or imposition of bodily harm and the degree or level of crime you may be charged with varies according to the allegations against you.

Many violent crimes, such as murder and kidnapping, are statutory crimes, meaning their punishment is defined by law. For example, carjacking is by law a first-degree offense punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison and which requires the individual to serve 85 percent of any sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.

Other punishments for crimes of violence are levied according to New Jersey’s general classification of crime and punishment, and punishment maybe increased according to the circumstances of the case.

For example, aggravated assault may be charged as a:

• Second-degree offense if it involves serious injury, including serious injury inflicted while fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer or while driving a stolen car.
• Third-degree offense if it involves attempting or inflicting serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon, or pointing or displaying a firearm or an imitation firearm toward a law enforcement officer.
• Third-degree offense if it causes bodily injury to a law enforcement officer, firefighter or person engaged in emergency first-aid or medical services while doing their job; or a school board member or school employee, an employee of the Division of Youth and Family Services, or a judge or justice; and a fourth-degree offense if it is directed against such persons but does not cause bodily injury.
• Fourth-degree offense if it involves recklessly causing bodily injury to another person with a deadly weapon, or pointing a firearm at or in the direction of another person.

Under New Jersey law:

• A person convicted of a first-degree offense may face 10 to 20 years in prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $200,000.
• A person convicted of a second-degree offense may face 5 to 10 years in prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $150,000.
• A person convicted of a third-degree offense may face 3 to 5 years in prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $15,000.
• A person convicted of a fourth-degree offense may face up to 18 months in prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
• A person convicted of a disorderly persons offense may be ordered to pay a fine of up to $1,000.
• A person convicted of a petty disorderly persons offense may be ordered to pay a fine of up to $500.

Depending on the degree of offense you are charged with, you may face prison, jail time, a fine, probation, or a restraining order. Because punishments for violent crimes vary greatly, there is ample opportunity to negotiate a lesser charge or sentence.

But to get a lesser charge or sentence, you need a seasoned N.J. violent crimes defense attorney on your side who understands what the law allows and has the relationships necessary to make it happen.

There are many reasons cases involving crimes of violence are dismissed or charges are reduced before they go to court. Many violent crime cases pit one person’s word against another’s, with no corroborating evidence. Defendants who go to court are found not guilty every day.

If you have been arrested for a violent crime, the sooner you get the legal team from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall working on your case, the sooner we can challenge the evidence against you or even how you were arrested.

Contact Our New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyers Today

If you have been arrested for a crime of violence in New Jersey, exercise your right to remain silent and call our experienced criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible. Our team will work diligently to seek the best available outcome for you.

Don’t risk the severe punishment allowed under New Jersey law for being convicted of a violent crime. Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall now for a free initial legal consultation.