New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

An article in the New Jersey Real-Time News reported that a Newark man is suspected of carjacking a woman using a brick. Allegedly, the man approached the woman and demanded her 2006 Dodge Durango vehicle by threatening to attack her, using the brick as a weapon.

Police say the woman surrendered her vehicle, and they believe the suspect drove away with the SUV. The suspect was arrested after the police stopped the vehicle which sent out an anti-theft device signal to the Essex County police department.

The suspect was charged with carjacking, receiving stolen property, and using a false identification with an arresting officer. He is currently awaiting trial for the charges.

New Jersey courts classify carjacking as a robbery offense, which receives the same penalties as a first degree offense. Carjacking is considered a more serious offense than a usual theft crime because an element of force is used in the unlawful taking of another person’s vehicle.

In comparison with a simple theft offense which carries lesser criminal penalties, such as up to 5 years imprisonment, suspects charged with carjacking may face more severe criminal penalties, which can include up to 20 years in prison as well as a $200,000 criminal fine.

The New Jersey criminal defense lawyers of Lependorf & Silverstein provide fierce, aggressive, and tactical legal representation for clients facing severe legal penalties. Our attorneys hold vast experience in defending our clients against charges of carjacking, robbery, theft, and numerous other criminal allegations.

If you are suspected of committing a serious crime, you will need an attorney capable of providing strong legal representation. For your free legal consultation, contact us at 609-240-0040.

An article in the Times of Trenton Regional News reported that a Chesterfield man allegedly assaulted two police officers with a large kitchen knife as he leaped out of a house he shares with his parents. A prosecutor spokesperson stated that the police were responding to a call indicating that a disturbed person was at the residence where the suspect lived.

The suspect allegedly cut one of the officers in the arm with the knife when he charged out of his house. The police retaliated by opening fire on the suspect.

Law enforcement authorities have not released information about the number of times the suspect was hit and the amount of gunshots fired by the police at the suspect. Following the police shooting, the suspect was later transported to Capital Regional Medical Center for emergency surgery.

He is currently being detained in Burlington County Jail and has been charged with six offenses, including two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault in Burlington County on a police officer as well as unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Continue reading "Burlington County Aggravated Assault Charges against Man" »

According to an article in The Times of Trenton, police are searching for a 23-year old female suspect accused of leading two men to an attack by robbers on two different occasions. In the first incident, the female suspect convinced a 53-year old male to drive her home to Rowan Towers and accompany her inside her apartment.

Allegedly, when the man went upstairs to the woman’s apartment, robbers bound the man’s hands, feet, and mouth with duct-tape, after forcing him to the floor at gunpoint. Police say the man was held hostage for four hours during an ordeal where the robbers burned his arm with a cigarette and his left leg with a curling iron as they demanded more money.

Before releasing the man, the robbers allegedly stole $266, his wallet, keys, and his car. The man did not report the crime until the Tuesday afternoon following the robbery and kidnapping in New Jersey.

The suspects who actually committed the robbery and kidnapping of the man are described as three African-Americans, one female and two males all aged in their 20s. Police said the male suspects brandished the handguns during the robbery.

In the second incident, the female suspect allegedly convinced a 38-year old man to allow her into his home. Supposedly, she excused herself to the bathroom and opened the front door of his home to allow the robbers inside his house.

The robbers again bound the second man’s hands, feet, and mouth with duct-tape. They stole his wallet and debit card along with his pin number. The victim suffered facial fractures and a fractured heel, after removing the duct tape with scissors and jumping from his second floor window for help. The police say the male suspects stole the 1997 Ford Expedition belonging to the victim’s cousin.

Continue reading "Trenton Robbery Traps - Female Suspect Accused of Luring Men" »

In 2008, New Jersey had a total of 42,173 arrests for the possession and usage of drugs. A growing percentage of the total drug arrests were attributed to the use of prescription drugs. According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New Jersey has one of the highest concentrations of pharmaceutical and chemical firms in the United States. The DEA has seen an increase in the number of crimes associated with prescription forgery and organized prescription drug script rings.

Some of the most frequently abused prescription drugs include Percocet, OxyContin, Xanax, and Vicodin. When used as directed, the prescription drugs serve as painkillers for a variety of medical conditions. On the other hand, if not used properly, these prescription drugs can be abused.

During the years of 2006-2007, NSDUH found that 257,000 of New Jersey residents used drugs for non-medical pain reliever use. In a survey involving a New Jersey high school, it was discovered that 11% of students surveyed had used inhalers for drug abuse.

Continue reading "New Jersey's Battle against Pharmaceutical Drugs" »

A suspect was arrested after Bordentown township residents complained that he was allegedly selling oxycodone pills. According to an article in the Register News, a 23-year- old man was charged with unlawful possession of oxycodone and the possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute as well as tampering with evidence, after he was apprehended in a Chickie and Pete’s restaurant parking lot.

Oxycodone is a drug used to relieve pain that can have the same effects as heroin. It is considered a controlled substance under New Jersey law.

The police claim that the suspect placed an item down his pants as he fled from them. While conducting a search of the suspect, the police say that they found 34 oxycodone pills.

The suspect was arrested and sent to the Burlington County jail. The police may seek a drug offender restraining order to prevent the suspect from returning to the Chickie & Pete’s restaurant parking lot where he was captured.

Continue reading "Drug Possession Charges Spring from Bordentown Resident Complaints" »

Occasionally, people may lose their tempers after attending sporting events, or even during ordinary encounters that lead to arguments with other individuals. At times, these disagreements may result in fights that can lead to individuals getting hurt.

According to the New Jersey Judiciary, New Jersey Criminal Code 2C:12-1, a simple assault occurs when a defendant causes bodily injury to another, or when a defendant attempts to cause imminent bodily harm to another.

A bodily injury is defined as any physical pain, illness, or impairment of a physical condition. An attempt to place another in fear of imminent bodily harm occurs when a person takes substantial steps to cause bodily harm to another by purposely acting in a manner that a reasonable person would believe would cause bodily harm.

New Jersey simple assault charges must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The State has the burden of showing that the defendant acted purposely, knowingly, or recklessly to cause bodily harm, or attempted to cause bodily harm to another.

Continue reading "Managing a Simple Assault Charge" »