New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

Typically, an individual is arrested when they are accused of a crime by a law enforcement official. In some instances, the alleged offender may be charged with resisting arrest in New Jersey if it is deemed that the individual attempted to prevent the officer from completing the arrest.

As with all crimes, there are consequences that come with a resisting arrest charge. In most cases, this is a misdemeanor crime but can also be classified as a felony, depending on a variety of factors. The penalties for resisting arrest in New Jersey include jail time, probation, fines, and permanent marks on your criminal record; however, the severity of the punishment can be influenced by the person’s prior record, whether or not injury was sustained during the arrest, whether or not the alleged offender is on probation already and what kind of offense they were arrested for.

Hiring an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney may help you get your charges reduced or your case dismissed if you’ve been charged with resisting arrest in New Jersey. There are a number of variables that a criminal defense lawyer will examine in order to build a strong defensive case on your behalf. For instance, did the arresting officer make it clear that the individual was being arrested? Did the individual purposely try to prevent the officer from making the arrest? These, along with a number of other questions must be answered before a conviction.

If you have been charged with resisting arrest in New Jersey, you would be well advised to contact the aggressive Princeton resisting arrest defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein. Our lawyers have handled a wide variety of New Jersey criminal defense cases and have the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that your rights are upheld in a court of law. Resisting arrest charges can be scary and unnerving, particularly if it’s your first offense; however, you don't have to face your charges alone. Schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys to help you understand your options. Call Lependorf & Silverstein today at 1-609-240-0040.

Crime in New Jersey declined across the board in 2009, according to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal. Crime in the state declined considerably, with murders down by 15 percent, the lowest it’s been in nine years; stolen vehicles are down by 23 percent; larceny crimes are down by 7 percent; and burglaries are down by 8 percent. Violent crimes, which include rape, murder, and aggravated assault, were down by 4 percent, which continues the trend of New Jersey crime reduction over the past few years.

There was only one county in New Jersey that reported an increase in crime for 2009. Atlantic county had an increase in crime by only 1 percent. New Jersey Attorney General Paula T. Dow credited the crime rate decline to the state’s law enforcement task force. However, she also stated that with the economic crisis facing both the state and the nation, police and others in law enforcement would need to work even harder to keep the state’s crime rate down.

Being accused of a crime in New Jersey is serious and can alter an individual’s life forever. While the crime rate in the state has decreased considerably, there are still instances where a person may have been falsely accused of a crime that they didn’t commit or where perhaps the state’s strict regulations were not adhered to properly by law enforcement. In these cases, it would be best for the person facing criminal charges to contact an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.

If you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey, it would be in your best interest to contact one of the dedicated Princeton criminal defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein. Our skilled attorneys have nearly 20 years of experience apiece and have handled numerous criminal cases successfully. With a vast arsenal of resources and an unparalleled understanding of New Jersey laws, we have what it takes to ensure that your rights are upheld and will build a strong defensive case to get you the best possible outcome. Call Lependorf & Silverstein today at 1-609-240-0040 to discuss your New Jersey criminal case.

Forgery is a serious crime that is oftentimes confused with fraud; however, forgery in New Jersey usually involves specific intent with a specific thought process, whereas fraud is characterized by a more general intent. The majority of forgery crimes occur in the workplace; be it by a company, an employee or other individual associated with a business. Additionally, anyone who possesses forged documents and is aware of their intent is susceptible to arrest and may be charged with forgery.

The definition of forgery is “the crime of falsely making or altering a writing by which the legal rights or obligations of another person are apparently affected or when a person signs a name to a document, regardless of whether or not it is the forger's own name.” If a person is convicted of New Jersey forgery, the punishment can be severe.

The penalties that correspond with a forgery conviction may include heavy fines, lengthy prison sentences, community service, and/or probation. Seeking the legal counsel of an experienced New Jersey forgery attorney would be well advised for anyone facing accusations of this type of crime. Not only will a dedicated lawyer meticulously examine every detail of your forgery case, but may be able to get your sentence reduced or the case thrown out altogether, depending on the circumstances.

If you or a loved one is facing a forgery charge in New Jersey, contact the qualified Princeton forgery defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein. With nearly twenty years experience per lawyer, we have the necessary resources to ensure the best possible outcome of your New Jersey forgery case. Call 1(609) 240-0040 today to discuss your rights and options.

On Wednesday, November 10, a robbery occurred at the Chase bank on Klockner Road in Hamilton, according to a report in The Trentonian. Allegedly, a man with a gun walked into the branch, handed a bank teller a note demanding cash and left with an undisclosed amount of money. The New Jersey robbery happened at about 3 p.m. The suspect fled the scene in a getaway vehicle described as a gold-colored Nissan Altima with an unknown Pennsylvania registration number.

Authorities searched the area after a 911 call was received but were unable to locate the suspect. An investigation of the scene was performed in order to collect evidence, check for fingerprints, and review surveillance tapes. No one was hurt during the New Jersey robbery.

Being convicted of the crime of robbery can have life-altering consequences. Not only is there the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, but there can be hefty fines, probation and other penalties. Sometimes people act out of desperation, not thinking of the drastic changes that can be imposed on their lives in a short amount of time. Had they been thinking straight, they may not have committed the crime.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a crime in New Jersey, you would be well advised to get in touch with a skilled and tenacious Princeton criminal defense attorney like those at Lependorf & Silverstein. With nearly 20 years experience per attorney, we understand the laws surrounding robbery and can build a strong defensive case in order to garner you the best possible outcome. You do not have to face a scary and uncertain time alone. Call Lependorf & Silverstein today at 1(609) 240-0040 to discuss the circumstances of your case.

An East Greenwich police officer is charged with New Jersey simple assault less than a month after being commended for his arrest of a man suspected of threatening two women over 65. According to The Providence Journal, the officer allegedly assaulted a 21-year old customer of a local bar after a life sized artificial cow, located in front of the bar, was accidentally knocked over by the officer.

An employee attempted to get names and phone numbers of any witnesses for accountability purposes when the police officer left the scene. The 21-year old male customer and the bar employee followed the officer to try and stop him from leaving when the male customer was allegedly assaulted by the officer.

According to the policeman, he was unsure as to the reason he was being “accosted” by the two and allegedly struck out in self defense. He did admit to knocking the artificial cow over and said that he was trying to distance himself from the situation. The officer is scheduled for a hearing on November 10.

Assault, whether simple, aggravated or otherwise, is a serious offense in New Jersey. In the event that you or a loved one find yourself facing New Jersey assault charges, it is imperative that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Assault charges are no laughing matter and you could face serious penalties including fines and jail time.

The Princeton assault defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have the knowledge and skill necessary to ensure that your rights are protected. With nearly 20 years experience per lawyer, Lependorf & Silverstein has handled a wide variety of assault cases and have the resources to help you acquire the best results possible. For a free consultation of your New Jersey simple assault case, please call us today at (609) 240-0040.

A 55-year-old Boonton man faces up to seven years in prison after police discovered at least 50 marijuana plants growing in the man's basement during a welfare check, reports The Daily Record. A worried neighbor told police that the man's grass had not been cut, his mail was piling up and his car had not moved in three weeks. As the man walked up to his property, he found police searching his home.

Originally, the man was charged with a first degree offense of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The man entered into a plea bargain, which reduced the charge to a second degree crime.

New Jersey marijuana charges are serious offenses which can alter an individual's life significantly. Many factors go into determining the type of charges that can be filed, including the age of the suspect, whether or not there are prior criminal convictions, and the amount of the substance found on the person or in their home. In addition to fines and a permanent criminal record, individuals who are convicted of marijuana-related crimes can face significant prison sentences.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a marijuana crime in New Jersey, you would be well advised to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure that your rights are upheld in a court of law. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a dedicated Princeton marijuana defense attorney like those at Lependorf Silverstein may be able to get your charges reduced or your case thrown out. There are many questions that need to be answered before a conviction can be handed down. Was the arrest necessary and made according to all federal regulations? Did police follow all proper procedures when searching the person or property? Our attorneys will examine every detail of your case to ensure the best possible outcome. For a free consultation of your New Jersey marijuana crime case, please call Lependorf Silverstein at (609) 240-0040 today.

A strong New Jersey DUI defense can mean the difference between lessened or dropped charges and jail time. If you are facing DWI charges in New Jersey, make sure you don’t plead guilty before you have had the opportunity to explore every option with an experienced drunk driving defense attorney. An admission of guilt forfeits all rights to present a defensive case in front of a judge.

There are a number of defenses that can be used in a New Jersey courtroom. Your attorney will be able to see if any of the following are applicable during the discovery process:

• If you were given a chemical test, was all equipment in proper working order?
• Were all federal regulations adhered to when the arresting officer performed the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)?
• Was there a legal reason for you to be pulled over in the first place?

These are just a few of the defenses that may be applicable in your DUI case in the state of New Jersey. It’s important to stay calm and not jump to conclusions when you have been charged with a DUI. While it may be daunting and unnerving, your personal and professional records depend on you taking all proper steps to protect your rights.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for driving while intoxicated in New Jersey, you’ll want to retain the services of an experienced Princeton drunk driving attorney as soon as possible. The lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have handled a wide variety of DUI cases and are knowledgeable in the complex laws surrounding DWI/DUI. They’ll explain every option so that you can make the best decision for your particular situation. Call Lependorf & Silverstein at (609) 240-0040 to schedule a free evaluation of your case.

Recently, a prank by a New Jersey resident led to charges of violating aviation codes, according to BostonHerald.com.

The 60-year-old man from Westwood, who has a pilot’s license, was scheduled to fly over a Saturday night high school football game. Red and white streamers were supposed to be dropped on the field. The man decided to practice the flight on Wednesday evening using toilet paper in the place of streamers. He dropped wet toilet paper on the field while soccer players were playing on it. The school reported to the authorities that a plane was dropping unknown objects onto the field.

When they arrive, police secured the area and called in hazardous materials teams, as well as police investigators, fearing the incident was terrorism-related. In the end, the pilot surrendered to police and was charged with violating state aviation laws that prohibit low-flying stunts over certain areas or gatherings of people. It is a fourth-degree crime with a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. The Federal Aviation Administration may decide to file federal charges against the pilot as well. No injuries resulted from the stunt.

Although this criminal incident was only intended as a prank, this story shows how seriously law enforcement views certain acts in a post-September 11 age. The pilot is facing state charges, which could carry jail time, and may face federal charges as well. His pilot’s license could be revoked because of his stunt.

If you have been charged with a crime, contact the New Jersey criminal defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation. We understand that being accused of a crime is an intimidating experience that often leaves individuals unsure of their legal rights and options. Call us today at 609-240-0040 to find out how we can help you with your case.