New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

The Attorney General’s Office issued its annual Uniform Crime Report recently which claims that overall, crime was up 5 percent in the first six months of 2008 over the same period of time the previous year. According to an article from nj.com, the report indicated that from January through June 2008, murder in New Jersey was up 9 percent, rape increased 15 percent, and burglaries and thefts increased 7 percent. While those crimes were up over the previous year, other types of crimes declined with robberies falling by 6 percent, aggravated assaults down 3 percent, and arson and domestic violence down as well.

The report also indicated that overall, crime rose in 14 of New Jersey’s 21 counties with the highest amount of crimes reported in Essex and Camden Counties. The sharpest increase in murders occurred in Camden County with 35 murders in 2008 compared to 16 over the same period of time the previous year. Camden City averaged approximately 5 murders each month for the first six months of 2008, but officials say that number dropped during the second half of last year. The information for the report is collated from information provided by law enforcement officials at the state, county and local levels and the full report for 2008 is expected late this summer or early this fall.

If you or someone you care for has been charged with one of the crimes listed above or another type of crime, it is very important to retain the services of a skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorney. For many years, the experienced criminal defense lawyers at New Jersey criminal defense law firm Lependorf & Silverstein have been defending the rights of clients and working hard to have their charges dismissed or reduced to lesser charges. To schedule a free consultation with one of their New Jersey criminal defense attorneys, call them today at 609-240-0040.