Ocean County Criminal Defense Lawyers

Criminal Defense Attorneys Adept at Defending People in the Ocean County Superior Court

Under New Jersey law, the Ocean County Superior Court manages all indictable crimes (i.e. first degree, second degree, third degree and fourth degree), restraining orders and felony probation violations arising in the jurisdiction from the time the case is instituted until the matter is ultimately resolved. Typically, criminal offenses begin when a defendant is charged with a crime via a formal complaint issued by a law enforcement agent who has reasonable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime against a person or property. Criminal charges also arise via an indictment by a grand jury, which is a group of citizens called upon to consider the evidence that the defendant committed a crime.

The indictment must set forth the facts supporting the charge and the offenses as outlined in the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice (Title 2C). The Ocean County Superior Court hears cases relating to criminal offenses, while the municipal courts handle misdemeanors, referred to as disorderly offenses. Under New Jersey law, crimes are classified by degree. First-degree crimes, like aggravated manslaughter and armed robbery, carry penalties of ten to twenty years in prison and fines of up to $200,000.  Second-degree crimes can result in imprisonment for five to ten years and fines up to $150,000. Aggravated assault and theft of property with a value of $75,000 or more fall under the umbrella of second-degree crimes. Notably, people found guilty of first or second-degree offenses face a presumptive sentence of imprisonment. Convictions for third-degree offenses come with penalties of up to $15,000 in fines and five years’ imprisonment. Examples of third-degree offenses include shoplifting items valued at more than $500 and endangering the welfare of a child. Finally, fourth-degree crimes, such as lewdness and violating a restraining order, can result in up to eighteen months imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000.

Criminal defendants have a constitutional right to be represented by an attorney during all proceedings, but not all attorneys possess the skills and resources needed to obtain a successful outcome. The lawyers of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, however, are adept at crafting persuasive arguments in their clients’ defense to provide them with a strong chance of a favorable outcome. Attorneys Tom Huth and James Fagan were among the highest-ranking prosecutors in New Jersey, so our firm has a deep understanding of how the State prosecutes cases and what measures are necessary to effectually defend parties charged with crimes in Ocean County. Offenses commonly brought before the Ocean County Superior Court include:

• Aggravated assault
• Sexual assault
• Harassment
• Juvenile delinquency
• Endangering the welfare of a child
• Conspiracy
• DWI
• Possession of heroin
• Burglary
• Eluding
• Domestic violence
• Contempt for violation of a restraining order

Ocean County Courthouse and Criminal Division

The Ocean County Superior Court, which is located at 118 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ, 08753, hears all criminal cases arising out of indictable crimes, which includes but is not limited to those offenses noted above. The Judges serving in the Criminal Division are:

• Honorable Wendel E. Daniels
• Honorable Michael T. Collins
• Honorable Rochelle Gizinski
• Honorable Steven F. Nemeth
• Honorable Lisa A. Puglisi
• Honorable Guy P. Ryan

The contact information for the following departments in the Ocean County Criminal Division is:

• Criminal Division (Main Number) – 732-504-0700
• Division Manager  – 732-504-0700 extension 64330
• Criminal Discovery & Records  – 732- 929-2027
• Criminal Motions – 732-504-0700
• Drug Court  – 732-504-0700 extension 64242
• Municipal Appeals – 732-504-0700 extension 64282
• Ocean County Probation Department – 732-504-0700 extension 64510
• Ocean County Pre-Arraignments – 732-504-0700
• Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) – 732-504-0700

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office

The government aims to identify and convict people who commit crimes. As such, the State typically retains aggressive and experienced prosecutors to handle criminal cases. An Ocean County prosecutor must prove each element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. In other words, they must show that the evidence weighs so heavily in favor of the defendant’s guilt that no reasonable person could come to any conclusion other than that the defendant committed the crime in question.

It is critical for anyone charged with a crime to engage the services of a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. People who cannot afford to hire a criminal defense attorney may request representation from the public defender. Criminal defendants, unlike the prosecution, do not have to offer any evidence and are not required to prove their innocence. In many instances, though, it makes sense for them to set forth defenses on their behalf. For example, suppose the police searched or stopped a defendant without a warrant. In that case, it may constitute an unreasonable search and seizure in violation of their Fourth Amendment rights, and they may be able to argue that any evidence obtained during the search should be precluded from evidence at trial.

The key players of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office are:

• Bradley D. Billhimer, Ocean County Prosecutor
• Michael T. Nolan Jr., First Assistant Prosecutor
• Anthony U. Carrington, Chief Of Detectives
• Robert J. Armstrong, Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor
• Michelle Armstrong, Executive Assistant Prosecutor

Directions to the Ocean County Courthouse

From the North: Take the Garden State Parkway southbound to Exit 82 B, then follow Route 37 East to the second traffic light, which is the intersection of Hooper Avenue. Take Hooper Avenue to Madison Avenue, which is about a mile. Turn left onto Madison Avenue, and the entrance to the parking lot is on your right.

From the South: Take the Garden State Parkway northbound to Exit 81, then follow Water Street to Hooper Avenue, which is the fourth traffic light. Turn left onto Hooper Avenue and follow it to Madison Avenue. Turn right onto Madison Avenue, and the entrance to the parking lot is on your right.

Ocean County Criminal Attorneys Defending Parties Charged with Disorderly Persons Offenses

Not all arrests lead to charges that are litigated before the Ocean County Superior Court. Instead, if the police arrest a person on a warrant complaint for a disorderly persons offense, their charge will be heard by the municipal court. Disorderly persons offenses arising out of the issuance of a summons are handled by municipal courts as well. While disorderly persons charges are misdemeanors, not felonies, they should be taken seriously, as convictions for such offenses can result in imprisonment, substantial fines, and a criminal record.

The knowledgeable Ocean County, criminal defense attorneys of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, are well-versed in what it takes to achieve favorable outcomes, and if you were charged with a disorderly persons crime, we will employ our ample experience and resources to help you strive for a good outcome. Our attorneys have decades of experience working for both sides in criminal courts, including serving as municipal prosecutors in courts that handle a large number of cases. Generally, the disorderly persons offenses our Ocean County defense attorneys handle most frequently are:

• Harassment
• Theft
• Disorderly conduct
• Resisting arrest
• Trespassing
• Writing bad checks
• Criminal mischief
• Obstructing the administration of justice
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Simple assault

Our Attorneys Have the Skills and Experience Needed to Mount a Compelling Defense

All criminal matters brought before the Municipal Court in Ocean County are presided over by a Municipal Court Judge, who resolves all issues in the matter. A municipal prosecutor appointed by the governing body in the town where the court sits will represent the State. Jonathan F. Marshall and the other defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have ample experience working with the prosecutors, judges, and court personnel who work in the Ocean County Municipal Courts, which helps us fight to protect your rights.

Our Unique Qualifications

People charged with crimes can be led astray by flashy slogans and guarantees when they are searching for a criminal attorney. Promises on the internet don’t lead to results, though. Instead, your best chance of obtaining a favorable outcome is with an attorney with experience handling cases in the Ocean County criminal courts. The dedicated Ocean County criminal defense attorneys of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall offer more than just a flashy website. We have an extensive history of achieving successful results for our criminal clients, including acquittals, downgraded charges, and admission into diversion programs like Drug Court, PTI, and Conditional Dismissal.

Our knowledge and experience benefit our clients regardless of whether their cases are brought before the Ocean County Superior Court or Municipal Court. Our attorneys include former municipal prosecutors who have worked in some of the busiest courts in the State. Our team also includes some of the most seasoned criminal attorneys in the county, like James Fagan who served as the Director of the Trial Division of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Thomas Huth, who was in charge of multiple units of the Office such as Major Crimes, Domestic Violence, Juvenile, and Special Operations. We are confident that if you conduct your own research, you will find that few if any, attorneys have qualifications that match ours.

Contact Our Toms River Office for a Free Consultation with an Ocean County Criminal Defense Attorney

One of our seasoned attorneys is available to field your questions and help you determine what steps you can take to protect your interest. To talk to an attorney with ample qualifications and knowledge by calling us at 855-450-8310. Our lawyers are available 24 hours a day seven days a week, to take your call, and consultations are always confidential and free.

Helpful Ocean County Court Information

People who are indicted, arrested, or issued a summons for a traffic or criminal offense often feel overwhelmed by the thought of navigating the criminal justice system and are unable to find important court information. The following may be helpful to people seeking information about Ocean County Criminal courts.

Useful Ocean County Law Enforcement Information

The Ocean County Sherriff’s Office is made up of five (5) departments: Judicial Services, Investigations, Operations, Specialized Services, and Operations. More than 140 sworn officers and civilian employees work for the Sherriff’s Office, which includes managing the Ocean County Correctional Center.

Ocean County has 33 municipalities, each with its own police department. Some departments are more significant than others. Toms River Township employs the largest number of police officers. The Tuckerton Station of the New Jersey State Police is also in Ocean County. Another noteworthy law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction is the Investigation Division of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.