Passaic County Criminal Lawyers

In New Jersey, people accused of disorderly persons or criminal offenses will usually have hearings before the County Municipal Courts or Superior Court, respectively. The Passaic County Superior Court has jurisdiction over criminal charges filed against people in the County. Typically, criminal cases begin with a police investigation. If following an investigation, the police feel there is reasonable cause to believe a person committed a crime against a property or person, they will file a criminal complaint against the individual they think committed the offense. The police can also institute a criminal case by indicting a person they suspect committed a crime. In an indictment, the State will offer evidence to a grand jury comprised of people that live in the County where the alleged offense happened, after which the grand jury will determine whether the indicted individual should be charged with a crime. 

New Jersey characterizes crimes by degrees ranging from first to fourth. While fourth-degree crimes are the least serious offenses, they nonetheless carry penalties of up to 18 months imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000. Third-degree offenses, which are more serious than fourth-degree crimes, are punishable by fines of up to $15,000 and prison terms ranging from three to five years. Most people accused of committing crimes in Passaic County are charged with third-degree crimes. Second-degree crimes carry more significant penalties than third-degree; a conviction for a second-degree offense can result in fines of up to $150,000 and five to ten years imprisonment. Finally, first-degree crimes, which are the most serious, come with penalties of ten to twenty years in prison and fines of up to $200,000. Some first-degree crimes carry more significant penalties, as indicated by statute. Notably, fourth, third, second, and first-degree offenses are all felonies. 

Merely because the State charges a person with a crime does not mean that it will be able to obtain a conviction. The prosecution bears the burden of proof in criminal matters, meaning they must demonstrate the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. On the other hand, people charged with crimes do not have to offer a defense or establish their innocence. In some instances, though, it is beneficial for them to set forth evidence in their favor. As such, it is smart for anyone accused of a criminal offense to retain a seasoned attorney to develop a strategy that will help them pursue the best outcome available. 

While there are many criminal attorneys in Passaic County, they do not all possess the skills or knowledge needed to represent criminal defendants effectively. The dedicated Passaic County criminal defense attorneys of The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have ample experience handling criminal matters in the New Jersey courts, and if you engage our services, we will fight tirelessly to help you protect your interests. Our firm includes numerous lawyers who have worked as prosecutors, which gives them unique insight as to how the State prosecutes crimes and what arguments are likely to prevail. We frequently defend people charged with a variety of crimes in the Passaic County Courts, including:

• DWI
• Burglary
• Assault
• Sexual Assault 
• Arson
• Robbery
• Fraud
• Drug Crimes
• Embezzlement
• Weapons Crimes
• Trespassing
• Theft Offenses
• Shoplifting 
• Eluding
• Receiving Stolen Property

Passaic County Criminal Lawyers Defending People Accused of Disorderly Persons Offenses

In New Jersey, crimes that do not rise to the degree of felonies are known as disorderly persons offenses. Disorderly persons offenses are usually filed after an arrest or the issuance of a summons and are prosecuted in the Passaic County Municipal Courts rather than the Superior Court. Although they are considered misdemeanor crimes, they still carry penalties like fines and imprisonment, and people accused of disorderly persons offenses should seek the assistance of a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer. 

At The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our Passaic County criminal defense attorneys take pride in defending people charged with disorderly persons offenses. Our attorneys have decades of experience navigating the complexities of criminal cases, and if you hire us, we will advocate zealously on your behalf. We represent people charged with numerous disorderly persons crimes in Passaic County, including:

• Criminal mischief
• Vandalism
• Harassment
• Resisting arrest
• Obstructing the administration of justice
• Trespass
• Simple assault
• Disorderly conduct

The Unique Skills and Credentials of Our Criminal Defense Law Firm

Many attorneys in Passaic advertise that they handle criminal matters, and people charged with crimes may be overwhelmed when trying to select a lawyer to represent them. Not all attorneys that promise good results can actually deliver, though, and choosing the wrong attorney can have a devastating outcome. The assertive Passaic County criminal defense attorneys of The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have a reputation for obtaining favorable outcomes in the Passaic County Municipal Courts and Superior Court, and we are confident that no other attorneys in the County can match our skills and credentials. 

In addition to our ample experience handling criminal cases, we also have a good rapport with the Passaic County prosecutors, judges, and court staff, which aids us when we negotiate for our clients in cases brought before the Passaic County Municipal Courts and Superior Court. Regardless of whether the parties we represent are accused of a traffic violation or a first-degree crime, we argue assertively on their behalf.