In New Jersey, disorderly persons offenses fall under the jurisdiction of the municipal courts, while criminal offenses fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Courts. As such, anyone accused of either type of violation will eventually be brought before the Warren County Courts. In most instances, criminal cases begin with an investigation by the police following suspected illegal activity. If the police believe the investigation produced sufficient evidence that an individual committed a crime against property or a person, they will file a criminal complaint charging the individual with violating the law. Criminal cases can also begin with an indictment. An indictment is a process during which the police present evidence to a grand jury that is made up of County residents. The jurors then determine whether the evidence against the indicted person is sufficient to charge them with a crime.
In New Jersey, felony crimes are categorized by degrees. First-degree crimes are considered the most serious and therefore carry the most severe penalties; a person convicted of a first-degree crime may be sentenced to ten to twenty years in prison and may be fined up to $200,000. Some first-degree offenses carry even greater penalties. Second-degree crimes carry substantial penalties as well, as they are punishable by five to ten years in prison and fines of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes are the most common types of offenses people are charged with in Warren County. Convictions for third-degree crimes can result in prison sentences from three to five years and fines of up to $15,000. Finally, fourth-degree crimes, which are the least serious, carry penalties of up to 18 months in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
People who are charged with crimes often feel as if the odds are stacked against them, but both the New Jersey and the United States Constitutions afford criminal defendants many protections that can assist them in seeking a favorable verdict. For example, the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. As such, if they are searched without a warrant or a search exceeds the scope of a warrant, and no exception to the warrant requirement applies, the search may be deemed illegal, and any evidence found during the search may be inadmissible. Similarly, the Fifth Amendment protects people from self-incrimination, which means people suspected of a crime cannot be compelled to make statements that would constitute an admission of guilt.
There are numerous other rights under the state and federal Constitutions that knowledgeable attorneys can argue should protect their clients, and it is wise for anyone charged with a crime to hire a capable attorney. Although many attorneys claim to have experience handling criminal matters, not all of them possess a deep understanding of how criminal cases should be handled and what defenses are most effective. The skilled Warren County criminal defense attorneys of The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are familiar with the challenges that often arise in criminal proceedings, and if you hire us, we will diligently pursue the best legal outcome possible under the circumstances. We have multiple lawyers with experience working as prosecutors who can offer a distinct perspective on how crimes are prosecuted in New Jersey and what strategies are most likely to be successful. We regularly defend individuals charged with crimes in the Warren County Courts, including:
- Sexual Assault
- Assault
- Arson
- Sexual Assault
- DWI
- Drug Crimes
- Fraud
- Shoplifting
- Embezzlement
- Trespassing
- Eluding
- Burglary
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Weapons Crimes
Warren County Criminal Attorneys Helping People Charged With Disorderly Persons Offenses
Not all violations of the law are charged as felonies in New Jersey. Instead, less serious crimes are charged as disorderly persons offenses. A person will typically be charged with a disorderly persons offense, which is a misdemeanor, following a court’s issuance of a summons or an arrest. Disorderly persons offenses are handled by the Warren County Municipal Courts. While they are not felonies, they nonetheless carry substantial penalties, including imprisonment and fines, and it is critical for anyone charged with a disorderly persons offenses should seek the assistance of a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer.
The dedicated Warren County criminal defense attorneys of The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have years of experience defending people charged with disorderly persons offenses, and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly to help you protect your interests. We defend people charged with numerous disorderly persons crimes in Warren County, including:
- Obstructing the administration of justice
- Resisting arrest
- Simple assault
- Harassment
- Trespassing
- Vandalism
- Criminal mischief
- Disorderly conduct
Our Qualifications and Experience
People charged with crimes in Warren County have their choice of an array of criminal attorneys. Simply because a lawyer claims to handle criminal matters does not mean that they are equipped to adequately defend a person charged with a crime, though, and many attorneys lack the knowledge and experience needed to garner good results. The seasoned Warren County criminal defense attorneys of The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have defended people charged with crimes in the Warren County Municipal Courts and the Warren County Superior Court for decades and have a record of achieving favorable verdicts.
Over the years, we have cultivated good relationships with the judges, prosecutors, and court staff in Warren County as well, which helps us negotiate in favor of our clients. We bring the same energy and dedication to each case, regardless of whether our client is charged with a misdemeanor or felony.
