The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is a widely experienced and deeply resourced criminal defense law firm with seven attorneys operating out of nine offices serving the State of New Jersey.
We work in accordance with three principles we hold dear:
- Anyone charged with a crime has the right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
- Anyone charged with a crime has the right to a robust legal defense.
- Prosecutors must be tasked to prove their case before a guilty verdict can be allowed.
We work to make sure that any prosecutor in court with us faces an uphill battle. In fact, we question the prosecution’s case at every turn from the very start, and stop many cases from going to court.
Our attorneys are former prosecutors and public defenders who worked across New Jersey before joining the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. We know a weak case when we see one, and we know how to dismantle it. Our firm is well-known for developing creative defense strategies that meet the needs of our clients, as well the requirements of justice.
We have the legal knowledge and the relationships with local prosecutors that are necessary to negotiate outcomes that are favorable to the individuals we represent. Depending on the facts of your case, we may be able to have charges dropped or downgraded, achieve a sentence to Conditional Discharge probation, or obtain entry for you into a diversionary program like Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) or Drug Court.
If you have been charged with a crime in New Jersey, call or fill out our online form for a free initial consultation with one of our experienced defense attorneys, or visit us in one of our New Jersey offices serving:
Crime and Punishment in New Jersey
In New Jersey, minor crimes are considered “disorderly persons offenses” or “petty disorderly persons offenses,” such as:
- Disorderly Conduct
- Trespassing
- Underage Drinking
- Traffic and Parking Offenses
- Local Ordinance Violations
“Indicatable offenses” are more serious crimes. Indictable offenses are comparable to felonies in other states, and include:
New Jersey Municipal Courts have jurisdiction over disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and other minor regulatory offenses. More significant crimes are “indictable offenses,” such as assault, robbery and auto theft, and are heard in Superior Court, typically in the county where charges were filed.
The degree of offense charged dictates the severity of punishment available to the courts. Many New Jersey laws or statutes have specific, usually more severe, punishments written as part of the law. The punishments for drunk driving and drug crimes are statutory, for example, due to society’s call for these crimes to be strongly punished.
Otherwise, state statutes generally categorize offenses and the punishment for them as:
- A petty disorderly persons offense punishable by a fine of up to $500.
- A disorderly persons offense punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
- A fourth-degree offense punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- A third-degree offense punishable by 3 to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
- A second-degree offense punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
- A first-degree offense punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000.
What Our N.J. Defense Attorneys Can Do For You
We can protect your Constitutional rights by providing a robust legal defense that seeks the best available outcome for you if you have been charged with a crime in New Jersey. As your case requires, we will:
- Immediately work to gain your release from custody for the lowest bail available, if not on your own recognizance (ROR).
- Investigate the charges against you, including examining the prosecution’s evidence and arguing for disputable evidence to be excluded from further proceedings.
- 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 or DUI / blood-alcohol concentration tests)
- Racial, ethnic, socio-economic, or other bias
- Other police or prosecutorial misconduct
- Begin negotiations for charges to be dismissed or downgraded.
- Examine and, in “discovery,” question statements by the prosecution’s witnesses, including the alleged victim.
- Seek witnesses who can testify on your behalf.
- Determine whether you are eligible for and would benefit from diversionary programs, and discuss entry with you and prosecutors, if appropriate
- Prepare a strong and persuasive case to present to a jury if a trial is necessary.
There are several steps in the criminal process in New Jersey, and each case is different. Our defense services will be crafted to address the charges you face, the circumstances of your case, and how we can best obtain a favorable resolution to the case for you.
Contact our New Jersey criminal defense attorneys today to learn how we can put our knowledge, skills and experience to work for you. Remember, an arrest is the start of a long process that does not have to end with a guilty verdict. There is reason to remain optimistic if an experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall represents you.
Do Not Face New Jersey Criminal Charges on Your Own
Being charged with a crime in New Jersey can put your future at risk. You could lose your freedom and see your financial stability ruined. A criminal record can damage prospects for employment, higher education or eligibility for government benefits, as well. Schedule a free consultation with our respected New Jersey criminal defense attorneys today as the first step to keep this from happening to you.
