Paramus, NJ Office Location

We Are Paramus Defense Lawyers

Located in northern New Jersey, the Paramus criminal defense attorneys in the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall serve residents of Bergen County when they are charged with criminal charges or lesser disorderly persons offenses. Our legal team has a detailed knowledge of New Jersey criminal law from many years of work in local courts in Paramus and Bergen County and courtrooms across the state. Our team includes two former municipal prosecutors.

Crime statistics indicate that the property crime rate in Paramus exceeds the New Jersey and national rates. Larceny and theft account for the majority of charges in the borough. Anyone arrested for larceny, theft, auto theft, burglary or related theft charges needs the help of an experienced Paramus criminal defense attorney to provide legal guidance and advocacy.

The punishments for theft crimes range widely, depending on the specific charges and amount involved. Theft cases often involve issues of rightful ownership, undocumented sales or whether there was implied or stated consent to borrow the property in question. The degree of the offense dictates the fine and prison time you face, if convicted. Some first offenders may be eligible to receive Conditional Discharge probation to resolve a larceny or theft charge or enter Pre-Trial Intervention.

Bergen County Superior Court hears more serious criminal charges, which are indictable offenses such as robbery, carjacking, felony drug crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes, kidnapping and murder.

Cases involving federal charges are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, which has courtrooms in Trenton, Camden and Newark.

Whether you are facing serious criminal charges or a minor offense, you should understand your legal rights and options.

Help is as close as a phone call away. Call our Paramus criminal defense attorneys today.

Paramus and Bergen County Courts

Municipal courts in New Jersey are responsible for handling traffic tickets, parking tickets, minor criminal offenses, violations of municipal laws and fish and game violations. Offenses classified as disorderly persons offenses such as simple assault, shoplifting, bad checks, resisting arrest and possession of small amounts of marijuana are prosecuted in municipal courts. Paramus Municipal Court typically only has jurisdiction over cases that occur within the municipal limits of the borough. Municipal courts are considered courts of limited jurisdiction. More serious criminal offenses such as robbery and auto theft may initially be filed in Paramus Municipal Court, but will be transferred to Bergen County Superior Court.

Paramus and Bergen County Law Enforcement

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the largest law enforcement agency in the county, operates divisions responsible for road patrol, parks enforcement, criminal investigations, service of court papers and foreclosures, providing courthouse security and operating the county jail. The sheriff’s department also augments the 68 municipal police departments in Bergen County.

Paramus is crossed by New Jersey Route 4, New Jersey Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway and is considered the crossroads of Bergen County. The Paramus Police Department is responsible for traffic patrol and enforcing criminal laws within the municipal limits. The largest division of the Paramus Police Department is the patrol division.