New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

An nj.com article reported that the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program has provided Union County, New Jersey with $1,315,718. Many residents of the area are likely to applaud such funds considering that it will help support state and local government actions to improve the criminal justice system, as well as help prevent and control crime in Union County.

According to the report, Union County’s Freeholder Chairman stated, "Public safety is a top priority and this grant assures our police departments will be able to tap the technology and equipment they need to do their jobs."

The funding will be distributed in various ways, with activities ranging from juvenile curfew detail to new equipment for law enforcement to use. The grant will also contribute to community outreach programs, which require specific training that will be funded by the grant as well.

As New Jersey criminal defense attorneys, we understand the necessity of crime prevention and control as a means of improving the criminal justice system. Although no one initiative can solve all the complex matters surrounding the occurrence of crime, as long as the constitutional rights of all American citizens are protected, we can hope that just and productive action is being taken. On the other hand, such programs aimed at curbing crime raises the question as to whether law enforcement may feel pressured to make a certain amount of arrests to match the publicized amount of funding they have received.

Continue reading "$1.3 Million Grant Given to Union County to Prevent and Control Crime" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Legal Information

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According to an abclocal.go.com article, a man received a sentence amounting to eight years in prison for driving while under the influence of alcohol and causing the death of a 31-year-old police officer. The 25-year-old man pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in June for last summer’s accident that took place in Woodbridge. At the time of the collision, the officer and another law enforcement official were transporting a prisoner to the Middlesex County Correction Center.

The report mentioned that during his sentence hearing on September 17, 2009, the man said that every day he “thinks about his stupid decision to drink and drive and the lives he ruined.” He seemed remorseful as he cried and asked for forgiveness.

The wife of the deceased police officer said that she thought the man’s sentence was fair, stating, “I know someday I will be able to forgive him.”

As this case demonstrates, the penalties for drunk driving can be very severe, especially in incidents where another person is killed because of the accident. Although these cases are indeed tragic, not everyone charged with DWI or even vehicular manslaughter is guilty. If you find that you are facing charges of driving while intoxicated, your future may contain a lengthy prison sentence, hefty fines, and many other negative consequences. That is why it is absolutely imperative that you retain the services of an experienced New Jersey DWI defense attorney that will work to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

Continue reading "Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Vehicular Manslaughter" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , DUI DWI Drunk Driving , Traffic Offenses

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A 29-year-old Raritan Borough man has been arrested for possession of marijuana in New Jersey with intent to distribute and other offenses. According to an article, the arrest comes after a two-month narcotics investigation conducted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force in coordination with the Raritan Borough Police Department. A search warrant was obtained in this investigation and led to the discovery of about one ounce of marijuana in the residence of the accused, which amounted to an estimated street value of $300. Drug paraphernalia was also discovered and seized.

The charges held against the man include a disorderly persons offense, third-degree possession of drug paraphernalia, and third-degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute while within 1000 feet of school property. Since the accused was within the designated proximity to school property, according to New Jersey law pertaining to marijuana crimes, he could be charged with a felony and face an enhanced penalty.

Continue reading "Raritan Borough Marijuana Possession and Sale Arrest" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Offenses , Marijuana Defense

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At 2 am on August 17, 2009, a 14-year-old boy died after being shot once in the back in what the boy’s mother is calling an act of retribution. According to a story, authorities are only saying that the violent crime was gang-related. The young teen was a member of the Bloods street gang despite his family’s efforts to dissuade him from joining the gang. Apparently, the teen had been in a fight prior to his murder, which occurred while he was standing with a group of friends on the side of the street.

The boy’s mother told news reporters, “This gang stuff has got to stop…these kids are getting younger and younger.”

Police are currently searching for two suspects in New Jersey for this murder.

As one of New Jersey’s six largest urban centers with a population close to 2 million, Newark is a “Major Urban” city that saw an increase from 154 murders in 1998 to 222 murders in 2007, according to a 2007 New Jersey Uniform Crime Report. The penalties for committing a violent crime in New Jersey are severe and can affect a person’s life indefinitely. Based on the magnitude and nature of the violent crime, an individual could face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of murder.

Continue reading "Newark Gang-Related Shooting Kills 14-Year-Old" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Gang Crimes , Murder

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Many residents believe that you have to be arrested for driving under the influence to have your driver’s license suspended in New Jersey, but this is not so. It is true that a DWI conviction will most likely result in driver’s license suspension among other consequences; however, a person’s driving privileges can be taken away for a variety of other reasons in New Jersey.

Aside from driving under the influence, if you have accumulated 12 or more points on your driver’s license from violating motor vehicle or traffic regulations, then your license may be suspended. Not only do these violations cost you money for the fines they impose, but the duration of your suspension highly depends on the amount of time between offenses and the exact number of points that you have. If you are determined to be a habitual offender, you could lose your driving privileges for up to three years. Do you think that parking violations can be ignored? Think again. A municipal court or the DMV can suspend your license for failure to pay any parking fine or failure to appear at a related hearing’s scheduled court date.

Economic circumstances commonly cause driver’s license suspension for failure to pay child support or insurance surcharges. If a suspension granted for failure to pay child support will impose drastic problems on a parent, employees, or other dependents, then a twelve-month payment plan may be made available.

Continue reading "Learning More About Driver's License Suspension in New Jersey" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , DMV License Suspension , DUI DWI Drunk Driving , Legal Information , Traffic Offenses

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Just when you thought the local community pool was safe, an incident of sexual assault has occurred, one which will undoubtedly offset the ease of parents. A 15-year-old has to be charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy. The teen allegedly sexually assaulted the young boy in a men’s bathroom at the Roy K. Harkness Community Pool in Middlesex Borough. The name of the New Jersey boy accused of sexual assault has not been released because of his age. According to a report, he was taken into custody August 11, 2009 and charged as a juvenile for both endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated sexual assault.

Incidents such as this raise many questions regarding child abuse and the reasons why this young 15-year-old would have committed such a crime. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, one in six women and one in thirty-three men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Sexual assault accusations are very serious, requiring extensive investigations to ensure that proper evidence is collected and examined. The consequences surrounding a child sexual assault conviction can influence a person’s life in negative ways indefinitely, whether due to social stigma, significant jail time, sex crime registration, large fines, or loss of employment.

Continue reading "Middlesex Borough Sexual Assault at Community Pool" »

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Posted In: Assault , Criminal Defense , Sex Crimes

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Due to pending DWI charges in Wayne and Riverdale, the attorney of a 40-year-old man with at least 12 drunken driving convictions and 78 suspended license violations has presented the request to have the two cases transferred to Morris County to be resolved at the same time as a June 30th offense that injured two people. The Morris County Assistant Prosecutor’s office is reviewing the request and a new court date has been set for August 28.

The Bergen County man in this case pleaded guilty to driving drunk in the June 30th head-on collision in which he is reported to have had a blood-alcohol level of .2888, more than three times higher than the legal limit of .08.

According to an article, the prosecutor’s office will seek the maximum penalty for the guilty plea amounting to two and one-half years, including 18 months in state prison for assault by auto, 90 days as an enhanced penalty for driving while suspended, 180 days for drunken driving, and 180 days for driving with a suspended license. Considering the man’s Riverdale and Wayne DWI charges, if he decides to plead guilty, he could be given an extra year in prison or 6 months on each of the violations.

Continue reading "New Jersey Drunk Driving Sentence Delayed for Man with 12 DWI Convictions" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , DUI DWI Drunk Driving , Legal Information , Traffic Offenses

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Law enforcement and government officials are considering implementing a mandatory curfew for people of all ages in Paterson, New Jersey, due to an influx in homicides and gun-related crimes seen so far this year. According to a newjerseynewsroom.com report, Paterson, as largely populated city in New Jersey, has experienced 30 shootings already this year, including 6 New Jersey homicides. If the measure gets approved after the City Council reviews it on September 1, the curfew would last for two months and dissuade individuals from loitering outside from midnight to 7a.m. Those who violate the curfew could be penalized with a $2,000 fine and a 90-day jail sentence.

Mayor Jose Torres stated, “We’re trying to think outside the box…this was triggered predominantly by fear among city residents over the shootings that have been occurring this summer.”

If the curfew measure passes, it would be the nation’s first citywide, non-emergency curfew to include adults.

Continue reading "New Jersey May Enforce Adult Curfew in Effort to Lower Crime" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Legal Information , Murder

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Although since 2001 New Jersey has witnessed more than 130 public officials plead guilty or be convicted of corruption, the recent June 23, 2009 report of 44 individuals being arrested as part of a money laundering ring is quite shocking. Not only has a New Jersey governor’s cabinet member resigned, but three mayors, two state legislators, and several rabbis were taken into custody. The very detailed investigation will continue as the vast corruption of trafficking goods ranging from human organs to false designer handbags reveals itself.

Head of the FBI’s “white-collar and public corruption investigation” division stated, “New Jersey’s corruption problem is one of the worst, if not the worst, in the nation…corruption is a cancer that is destroying the core values of this state.”

Within the many arrests made, some of the charges brought against New Jersey officials included posing as a developer and gaining permits and approvals through accepting significantly large sums, conspiracy to commit extortion in illegal campaign contributions, and accepting cash bribes. The charged group as a whole is alleged to have laundered up to as much as tens of millions of dollars through charities managed by rabbis in New Jersey and New York.

Money laundering in New Jersey is a serious type of white-collar crime that can greatly jeopardize an accused person’s reputation, much as it will undoubtedly affect the public officials facing these charges, most facing lengthy jail time and heavy fines. Earning back the public’s trust, even if you were only accused yet not convicted of corruption, is something that can take decades to take place, if it even happens at all.

Continue reading "New Jersey Money Laundering Ring, 44 Arrests Made" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Money Laundering , White Collar Crime

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