Because women have much smaller body frames than men, alcohol metabolizes quicker in women. Even if a male and female consume the same amount of drinks in the same time frame, the female will feel more of the alcoholic effect than the male will.

If you plan on drinking, the best thing you can do is designate a sober driver to take you home or call a taxi if you’re too intoxicated to drive yourself. Not only will you avoid a DWI in New Jersey, you’ll be one less person who contributes to the injury or fatality of another due to drunk driving.

The state of New Jersey has stringent DUI laws in place to prevent drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel. However, if you or someone you love has been charged with a DWI in New Jersey, you’ll want to acquire a skilled and reputable Princeton DWI defense lawyer like the ones at Lependorf & Silverstein. Our experienced DUI attorneys can help you understand your situation, your legal rights and the best course of action for your specific situation. To schedule a free consultation of your case, call our criminal defense law firm at (609) 240-0040.

A New Jersey homicide conviction is serious and can carry a life prison sentence that can have life changing effects, especially if someone is wrongfully accused. If you or a loved one has been charged with a homicide in New Jersey, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. The skilled and aggressive Princeton homicide defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have handled a wide array of criminal cases in addition to having nearly twenty years of experience per attorney. We will examine every detail of the events that led up to your homicide charge and fight to win you the best outcome possible. Call Lependorf & Silverstein today at (609) 240-0040 to learn how we can protect your rights.

The suspect, a 30 year old male, turned himself in after finding out there was a warrant for his arrest. The suspect has been charged with murder and other weapons offenses. The reason the suspect allegedly shot the 39 year old block party attendee is not yet known and police have yet to recover the firearm used in the crime.

Murder charges are very serious in the state of New Jersey and nationwide. If someone is convicted of murder, they will be sentenced to serve significant time in prison. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the crime may carry a life sentence without the chance of parole.

Five teenagers are now facing charges related to the New Jersey violent crime. Originally, three of the teens were charged with manslaughter, which has been raised to felony-murder. The other two teens were charged with being lookouts. The boy who recorded the violent act was not charged and the nurse who allegedly stole the deceased man’s money has been fired and charged with stealing.

The law, which became effective in April 2010, was named for Kyleigh D’Alessio who was killed in an auto accident with another teen driver who also died. Kyleigh’s law prohibits juveniles from using cell phones or Ipods while driving and limits the amount of passengers that can be in the same vehicle with the juvenile driver. All juveniles must wear seat belts and carry their learner’s permit with them.

Proponents of the law say that it makes it easier for police to identify teenage drivers, who now have a probationary period where they are not permitted to drive between 11:01 pm – 5:00am. Most importantly, proponents believe that the law will reduce the amount of teen driving accidents.

Opponents of the law say that it puts young adults at greater risk for attacks from criminal offenders who will be able to easily identify young people based on stickers on their cars.
Others voice complaints that police officers will assume that teens are driving irresponsibly simply because of the red decals.

Regardless of sentiments, breaking the law can cause serious penalties for juveniles. Although Kyleigh’s law may serve as an example of a law without severe consequences, juveniles should be made aware that other laws are not as forgiving in the courtrooms.

If you or a loved one is a juvenile facing a penalty for breaking a law, you need to act promptly to reduce the impact of the charges against you, which can later follow you or your loved one into adulthood. The New Jersey juvenile defense attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein have substantial legal experience in helping juvenile clients find second chances in the law where possible. For your free legal consultation, contact our office today at 609-240-0040.

Under New Jersey’s Criminal Code 2C: 3-4, a person is justified in using force for self-protection when defending “their well-being and the well-being of others from intruders and attackers.” Self-defense can be used against the unlawful use of force by another if the person believes that they are in danger of immediate bodily harm or death, but a person using self-defense cannot exceed the level of force with which the attacker has threatened the defender. For example, if a person attacks another with a bottle, a person would likely not be justified in using self-defense in New Jersey, if that person pulled a gun on the attacker.

Self-defense is the strongest defense, when a person is protecting themselves from a home or car invasion, where the person has no duty to run away from an attacker or intruder. On the other hand, the self-defense doctrine still has many limitations.

For example, a person can not use a self-defense argument in the following instances:

• Peace officer arrests without the use of unlawful force
• Lawful police officer arrests
• When an intruder retreats or surrenders his or her weapon
• The person is the initial aggressor

If you or someone you know has been charged with murder or another violent crime where you believe you were defending yourself, you need the representation of the New Jersey murder defense attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein. We can help you examine your options for an aggressive defense against serious charges. Contact our office today at 609-240-0040 for your free legal consultation.

When the suspect was captured, the police allegedly found him carrying $1,550 in a plastic bag. After further questioning, the police say the suspect admitted to robbing Capital Bank of America twice and Bank of America once.

A bank teller said the robber handed her a note requesting money and to remain calm during the robbery. The incident was captured on a PNC bank security camera which detectives are still investigating. The police believe that the suspect lived close to the area where the robbery occurred. In the other 3 robberies, the police say that a suspect passed a note to the previous bank tellers demanding money and alerting the tellers of weapon possession.

In New Jersey, robbery is a first degree offense that carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison as well as a criminal fine of over $50,000. The New Jersey criminal defense attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein possess high caliber legal skills derived from almost 20 years experience for each attorney. When you need a lawyer to advocate on your behalf against serious charges, you need one of the highly trained legal professionals of Lependorf & Silverstein. For your free legal consultation, contact our office at (609) 240-0040.

Surveillance cameras filmed images of a blue Mercedes allegedly leaving the scene of the crime. Witnesses claim the driver of the car was speeding and refused to stop after the little girl was injured. Neighbors expressed concerns about the safety of the street because they noticed severe instances of vehicles speeding through the area.

Police found a Mercedes belonging to the suspect that matched the vehicle description with front-end damage in Newark, NJ. The suspect surrendered to the police at a local church after the prosecutor and the suspect’s attorney made an arrangement.

He is being held on $150,000 bail. Although the case is still under investigation, the police have charged the suspect with serious crimes, including death by automobile, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and endangering an injured victim. Allegedly, there may have been other occupants in the Mercedes at the time of the accident. Under New Jersey law, if convicted, the suspect could face a prison sentence of a minimum of 10 years and maximum of 20 years.

The girl told police that she met the man in a Kids Chat. Allegedly, he told her that he was 15-years-old and used the pseudo name, “Slave.” The suspect denies engaging in sexual acts with the girl and knowing the girl’s age.

Police say that the girl told them that she engaged in two sexual acts with the suspect. They arrested the suspect after finding him driving with the girl in the passenger seat.

The penalties for New Jersey sexual assault with a minor include imprisonment, legal fines, and the permanent registration as a sex offender under New Jersey’s Megan’s Law. To make matters worse, sexual assault charges with a minor often carry a negative stigma and severe damage to one’s reputation within one’s community, regardless of whether a suspect has actually been convicted.

If you have been charged with a sexual assault crime in New Jersey, you should take immediate action and hire an attorney to provide you with the benefit of a strong defense. The New Jersey sexual assault defense attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein are skilled in defending our clients against serious sexual assault charges and may even be successful in helping you get the charges dismissed completely. Contact our office today for your free legal consultation by calling 609-240-0040.

When police told the suspect in English that he would lose his license for 7 months, if he refused the alcohol breath test, he shook his head and pointed to his eye. Since the suspect declined the alcohol breath test, he was charged both with driving while intoxicated and refusing to take the breath test.

Later, the suspect told the court that he did not understand the police and he pointed to his eye, because he had just consumed painkillers for an eye irritation. He further argued that he was not made fully aware of his rights.

The New Jersey Supreme Court found that because the suspect did not understand the consequences of refusing to take the alcohol breath test, since he did not understand English, he therefore lacked informed consent. Consequently, all New Jersey police officers must now provide translations of rights to suspects in drunk driving cases. This should help prevent common New Jersey police DWI mistakes.

If you have been charged with a DUI in New Jersey, you have the right to be informed that a refusal to an alcohol breath test revokes your license for 7 months. You also have the right to skilled DUI defense representation from the experienced New Jersey DUI defense attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein. Call our office today at 609-240-0040, for a free consultation.

The Supreme Court held that the 2nd Amendment does in fact apply to the states. The reason for the controversy surrounding one’s right to bear arms stemmed from the City of Chicago’s ban on handguns for domestic violence offenders.

Studies have found that in instances of domestic violence where the offender possesses a handgun, the victim is more likely to be killed. Thus, Chicago instituted the ban as a preventative measure.

According to a Huffington Post story, opponents of the City’s handgun ban challenged the constitutionality of the measure, which was sent to the Chicago Federal Appeals Court. Previously, the Second Amendment right to bear arms had not applied to the states, although all American citizens had a federal constitutional right to bear arms.

The case will have to be re-decided and the Court of Appeals may have to reverse its decision to be compatible to that of the U.S. Supreme Court. Although 2nd Amendment provides all people still hold a constitutional right to bear arms, the law still imposes restrictions on that right and all guns must be registered in the state.

The New Jersey weapons violation attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have extensive experience in providing skillful legal defenses against serious weapons violations charges, such as carrying a concealed weapon, illegal sale of a weapon, unlawfully discharging a weapon, and more. If you have been charged with any serious crime, you will need aggressive legal representation. Contact our office today at 609-240-0040 for a free and confidential consultation.

Officials say that the man was shot three times as his car waited at a stop light. The police matched the victim with one of the names in the gang database. He had previously been arrested for possession of drugs and racketeering, and served over 2 years in prison. The police suspect the murder was motivated by gang activity.

The victim had been released in May 2009 and was allegedly considered as a top member in a faction of the Bloods that once consisted of a population of an estimated 200 members in the Trenton area.

Although police say the numbers of gang members have been reduced in the area as a result of stringent prison initiatives, police admit that gangs still exist.

New Jersey murder charges, especially those considered to be gang-related, require the legal representation of highly skilled and competent attorneys. A wrongful conviction for a murder offense can have detrimental consequences for an innocent individual. Each of our attorneys at the New Jersey criminal defense law firm of Lependorf & Silverstein have almost 20 years of experience defending the rights of clients accused of violent crimes, including murder and assault. Let our attorneys ensure that you receive a fair trial and aggressive legal representation against serious criminal charges. For a free consultation, please contact our office today at 609-240-0040.