New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

With recent news about New Jersey and other states brokering a cooperation deal with MySpace to help protect kids from online predators come questions. Will MySpace reporting really help protect kids? Or will it just provide another venue for false accusation and entrapment? Given the recent national hysteria about New Jersey sexual predators, including the wildly popular Dateline “To Catch a Predator” series, the answer is not yet clear.

Here at Lependorf & Silverstein, we have seen all too many false accusations when it comes to sex crimes. While it’s easy to click a button and claim that somebody has offended or abused you, such accusations are often made out of anger or without basis. What people don’t realize is that a sex abuse claim, even if it is proven invalid, can completely decimate the accused person’s reputation, relationships, and job prospects. All too often, a baseless accusation can destroy an innocent person’s life.

While we hope that the MySpace abuse reporting system results in capturing those who truly intend to exploit children online, we also hope that people use the system as it was intended. Unfortunately, false accusations do happen – and that’s where we come in. We’re among New Jersey’s most aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorneys. We respect each and every client and know how to use the legal system and our vast network of legal resources to construct the defense that’s right for you.

However draconian state and federal law protecting kids online, nothing will ever replace a vigilant parent and a common-sense approach to personal safety. Unfortunately for those who are falsely accused of online solicitation, it’s not so simple. That’s why it’s so important to arm yourself with the right attorney when you face criminal accusations. Have you been accused of a New Jersey crime? Time is of the essence. Call Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free phone consultation.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Sex Crimes

Bookmark:

The incident sounds outrageous, but injury is now a devastating reality for one man, who suffered a severed leg and a broken leg after he was hit by a woman who was driving under the influence, talking on a cell phone, and speeding. Carlos Varela, who works for Roselle Suburban Sanitation, was hit by Dawn Davis, who pinned him to her truck. The impact of the crash caused one leg to be lost, and both driver and victim are now in intensive care at Jersey City Medical Center.

Davis, who had been drinking, will be charged with aggravated assault with a vehicle, DWI, speeding, talking on a cell phone while driving, improper passing, reckless driving, and driving uninsured. This laundry list of charges demonstrates how criminal charges can often complicate DWI proceedings. In addition to the normal fines and consequences for a New Jersey DWI, Davis faces jail time for aggravated assault. Her long-term employment prospects could be dashed, not to mention an almost guaranteed huge increase in her insurance premiums.

One can only hope that Davis has chosen a competent, experienced, and compassionate New Jersey DWI lawyer. No matter how egregious the circumstances of a DWI-related crash, every person deserves professional counsel to help advise them on legal matters, navigate the New Jersey DWI system, and protect their personal rights. In addition, the right DWI lawyer can also navigate criminal charges, dramatically increasing the likelihood that their client will stay out of jail. Plea bargains, negotiation, and lowered charges are only some of the options for a person accused of a DWI and other crimes who hires a professional to take charge of their case.

Have you been involved in a DWI incident? Don’t take your chances and go into this complex legal situation alone. Instead, think twice and call the professionals at Lependorf & Silverstein today. We have what it takes to defend you in a DWI case – and phone consultations are free and confidential.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: DUI DWI Drunk Driving

Bookmark:

In a case that reveals the vital importance of the right legal strategy and criminal defense attorney, New Jersey man Michael Mastromarino has agreed to plead guilty to charges connected to an expensive criminal operation in which body parts were stolen from corpses, then sold. Mastromarino and his cohorts plundered more than 1,000 corpses in three states and then sold body parts to tissue banks and hospitals that use tissue from deceased persons for medical procedures. The case has been ongoing for two years, with a 122-count indictment finally filed against Mastromarino. Now he has decided to plead guilty and will face 18 to 54 years in jail.

Though the lengthy time Mastromarino will face is daunting, it’s an example of good legal strategy. Rather than leave Mastromarino to the mercies of an unsympathetic jury with bias and too much familiarity with this sensationalistic case, Mastromarino’s lawyers convinced him to accept a plea deal that guarantees prison time, but will likely reduce the total amount of time he spends in prison. Mastromarino’s deal likely includes his cooperation in the investigation, which is looking into the activities of his business partners and his company, Biomedical Tissue Services.

As experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyers, we know that criminal charges can be confusing, nerve-wracking and scary. We take our clients’ rights and freedom very seriously and treat every client with compassion and care. At Lependorf & Silverstein, we have the resources necessary to conduct a thorough investigation of each charge and bring the right expert witnesses to trial. And our knowledge of the legal system means that we’re able to talk to the right people, make the right recommendations, and hopefully help you find the option that has the fewest consequences for your family, your finances, and your freedom.

If you’ve been accused of a crime, don’t hesitate. Call Lependorf & Silverstein today to see if our aggressive and experienced counsel is right for you. Help is just a phone call away – and our phone consultations are free and entirely confidential.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Criminal Defense

Bookmark: