Criminal Defense Attorney in Union County

Criminal Defense Attorneys Proficient at Helping People Faced with Criminal Charges Preserve Their Rights in the Union County Superior Court

In New Jersey, the Union County Superior Court handles all criminal cases that arise out of activity that allegedly occurred in Union County from when law enforcement agents begin to investigate until the case concludes. Generally, law enforcement agents institute criminal cases by issuing a formal complaint that charges a person with a criminal offense. The agent must have reasonable cause to believe the person engaged in criminal activity to file the complaint. Notably, a person can be charged with a crime against property and against a person. 

In some cases, a grand jury indictment will begin a criminal case. Essentially, a grand jury is a panel of citizens that the government asks to weigh the evidence that a person committed a crime to determine if charges should be filed. Any indictment filed by the government must comply with the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice (Title 2C), which means, among other things, that it must include the crimes allegedly committed and the facts that support the charge. 

While the Union County Superior Court handles matters arising out of criminal offenses, the Municipal Courts within the County hear cases relating to lesser charges that are deemed non-criminal. 

New Jersey classifies crimes as First, Second, Third, and Fourth degree, all of which are felonies. While all criminal charges should be taken seriously, fourth-degree crimes are the least severe, but a conviction for such offenses can nonetheless result in fines of up to $10,000 and prison terms of up to eighteen months. Examples of fourth-degree crimes include promoting prostitution and criminal mischief that causes damage that exceeds $500 but is less than $2,000. Broadly speaking, third-degree crimes represent the majority of cases brought before the Union County Superior Court. A person found guilty of a  third-degree crime, like possession of heroin, making terroristic threats, and prescription drug fraud may face up to $15,000 in fines and up to five years in prison. Under New Jersey law, it is presumed that people convicted of second-degree and first-degree crimes should be sentenced to imprisonment. Second-degree offenses carry fines of up to $150,000 and five to ten years in prison; assault by auto within a school zone, possession of a weapon by certain people, and distribution of between .5 and five ounces of cocaine or heroin are second-degree crimes. First-degree crimes, which are the most serious offenses, can result in fines of up to $200,000 and imprisonment for ten to twenty years. 

While being charged with an offense can be harrowing, simply because the government files a criminal case against a person does not mean that it has sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction. The state and federal constitutions grant criminal defendants the right to legal representation, but not all lawyers are experienced in handling criminal matters. At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our seasoned criminal attorneys are proficient at helping people charged with crimes in Union County fight to pursue the best legal result available. Several of our attorneys have experience working as prosecutors and can offer ample insight into how the State litigates criminal matters and what defenses are available to those accused of crimes in Union County. Some examples of crimes typically brought before the Union County Superior Court include:

• Robbery
• Animal Cruelty
• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Assault
• Kidnapping
• Burglary
• Arson
• Murder
• Identity Theft
• Drug Crimes

Union County Court and Criminal Divisions

The Union County Superior Court handles all criminal matters that arise out of indictable offenses, including, among others, those listed above. The Court House is located at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. The Judges sitting in the Criminal Division are:

• The Honorable Regina Caulfield, Presiding Judge
• The Honorable Stacey K. Boretz
• The Honorable John M. Deitch
• The Honorable Joseph Donohue
• The Honorable Thomas K. Isenhour
• The Honorable Dara A. Govan
• The Honorable Robert Kirsch
• The Honorable Candido Rodriguez, Jr.
• The Honorable Richard C. Wischusen

You can contact the departments in the Union County Criminal Division as follows:

• Criminal Division – 908-787-1650 extension 21250
• Central Intake Unit – 908-787-1650 extension 21300
• Criminal Records Unit – 908-787-1650 extension 21250
• Probation – 908-787-1650 extension 21600 
• Recovery Court – 908-787-1650 extension 21200
• Pretrial Services Unit – 908-787-1650 extension 21100
• Pretrial & Pre-sentencing Intervention Unit – 908-787-1650 extension 21350

Union County Prosecutor’s Office

One of the primary goals of state and local governments is to reduce crime and punish people that commit criminal offenses. In furtherance of this goal, the State generally hires assertive and experienced prosecutors. The prosecution works diligently to obtain convictions; thus, it is vital for anyone accused of a crime to hire a skilled criminal defense attorney. People have a constitutional right to legal representation in criminal matters. As such, people who cannot afford to pay an attorney may be able to seek assistance from the public defender’s office.

Regardless of their credentials, a Union County prosecutor has to establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, each element of the charged crime to obtain a conviction. This means that the prosecution must offer evidence that so strongly indicates the defendant’s guilt that no rational person presented with the evidence could conclude anything other than the defendant committed the charged offense. Defendants in criminal matters do not have to offer evidence showing they are innocent or otherwise prove their case. In other words, the burden of proof rests solely with the prosecution. In many cases, though, a criminal defense attorney will advise a defendant to offer evidence in their defense.  For example, a person can lawfully use force against someone in certain instances. As such, for certain crimes, like assault, a defendant may be able to avoid a conviction by arguing that they were acting in self-defense or used force to prevent another person from suffering harm. 

The primary parties in the Union County Prosecutor’s Office are:

• William A. Daniel, Prosecutor
• James O. Tansey, First Assistant Prosecutor
• Doreen A. Yanik, Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor
• Harvey A. Barnwell, Chief of Detectives
• Jose Vendas, Deputy Chief of Detectives

Getting to the Union County Courthouse

From the NJ Turnpike

Take Exit 13 and follow signs to Bayway Avenue/NJ 439. Follow Bayway Avenue until the fourth light, where you will turn right onto South Broad Street. Stay on South Broad Street for one mile. The Courthouse will be on your left. 

From the Garden State Parkway

Take Exit 140 and follow signs for Elizabeth – NJ 82 East. Make a right onto Morris Avenue and follow it to the end. Take a left, then turn right under the railroad overpass onto Broad Street. Stay on Broad Street for approximately half a mile.  The Courthouse will be on your right at the fourth traffic signal.

U.S. 1 & 9 from the South  

Remain on U.S. 1 & 9 and enter Elizabeth. Make a right onto Bayway Avenue and follow down to  South Broad Street. Take a left onto South Broad Street. The Courthouse is on the left, about a mile down. 

U.S. 1 & 9  – from the North

Take U.S. 1 & 9 South past the Newark International Airport into Elizabeth, approximately two miles. Go under the railroad overpass, then keep right for about half a mile. Take the exit ramp right before the Elizabeth River Bridge, then turn right onto Elizabeth Avenue at the next stop sign. The Courthouse is about half a mile down the road. 

Criminal Attorneys Representing People Charged with Disorderly Persons Crimes in Union County

In some instances, an arrest will not lead to a hearing before the Union County Superior Court. For example, if a person is arrested for a disorderly persons offense, their charge will be heard by the Municipal Court. Disorderly persons charges can also arise out of the issuance of a summons.  Municipal Courts handle all disorderly persons matters. Disorderly persons crimes are charged as misdemeanors, which are less severe than felonies but can nonetheless result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment. 

At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our seasoned Union County criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to helping people charged with a disorderly persons crimes protect their liberties, and if we represent you, we will help you fight for a favorable result. We have decades of experience handling criminal cases, both as prosecutors and defense attorneys, and we possess the skills needed to mount compelling defenses. We regularly handle a variety of disorderly persons offenses in Union County, including:

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

Our Lawyers Are Well Versed in What it Takes to Achieve Winning Results

Any disorderly persons charge brought before the Municipal Court in Union County will be heard by a  Municipal Court Judge. The state will be represented in the matter by a municipal prosecutor who was appointed by the governing body in the specific town where the court is located.  Jonathan F. Marshall and the other knowledgeable attorneys from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have extensive experience negotiating with prosecutors and working with the judges, and court personnel in the Union County Municipal Courts, which aids us in defending our clients.  

Services We Offer

The dedicated criminal defense attorneys of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall frequently defend people in Union County who are accused of committing crimes ranging from traffic violations and DWIs to disorderly persons offenses and First, Second, Third, and Fourth-degree crimes. We can offer you a confidential and complimentary meeting with one of our criminal defense lawyers. They can assess the circumstances surrounding your arrest and advise you on the best manner to proceed.

Our Credentials

People accused of crimes may be swayed to hire criminal attorneys with aggressive television commercials or websites that promise to deliver winning results. Many attorneys make promises without the ability needed to deliver, though. If you are charged with a crime, you are more likely to achieve a good outcome if you hire an attorney with experience navigating criminal cases in the Union County Courts. The assertive Union County criminal defense attorneys of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall don’t make empty promises; instead, we employ our ample skills, experience, and resources to help our clients obtain favorable outcomes, like acquittals, reduced charges, and admission into diversion programs.

Our know-how and experience allow us to achieve good results in cases brought before both the Union County Superior Court and Municipal Courts. We believe that if you investigate criminal defense attorney credentials, you will struggle to find any as qualified as ours.

Helpful Union County Court Information

People who are charged with a felony, misdemeanor, or traffic offense may have difficulty finding critical information regarding the Union County Criminal Courts, such as the following:

Useful Union County Law Enforcement Information

The Union County Sherriff’s Office has multiple units and programs, including the Crime Scene Unit, Search and Rescue Unit, Family Violence Unit, and Legal Process Unit. Union County is made up of 21 municipalities, all of which have their own police department.