New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

A recent pressofatlanticcity.com report discusses how Atlantic City is safer than most people realize. An Atlantic City Police Chief stated that he does not believe the public perception matches appropriately with the statistics. According to the report, violent crimes increased by 27% in the U.S. from 1978 to 2008, but only jumped 4% in Atlantic City. While thefts dropped 4% across the nation in the same time frame, theft decreased 43% in Atlantic City. All of these decreases were seen even though Atlantic City has an immense influx of visitor and commuters mostly drawn to its casinos and resorts.

So why the falling numbers? Apparently, casinos throughout Atlantic City have enhanced in-house security. Also helping lower crime is the growth of police forces within the area. In addition, there seems to be greater concern regarding comprehensive studies of what crimes happen where and when, whether victims and perpetrators know each other, and whether or not they are residents.

Although the flow in crime-patterns is in Atlantic City’s favor, especially with thefts being the lowest in 2008 (2,927 incidents) since casinos opened, crime did rise in the first 10 years of casino operation. It is promising though that within the last 20 years, crime has fallen. Some other reasons for this decline include an increase in recreational outlets for at-risk children, low-income neighborhoods being destroyed, and casinos working more diligently to recruit job applicants from low-income neighborhoods.

Continue reading "Violent Crime Decreases in Atlantic City, but the Battle Isn't Over" »

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Posted In: Assault , Criminal Defense , Gang Crimes , Legal Information , Murder , Theft/Shoplifting

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After a nine-month investigation called “Operation Orange Crush” that involved multiple agencies, 34 gang members have been arrested for several drug offenses and weapons violations. According to an nj.com report, Essex County is the location where the alleged gang members of the Brick City Brim Bloods and the MOB Piru set of Bloods participated in dealing drugs. Authorities discovered and confiscated 41 grams of marijuana, 153 grams of heroin, and more than 1,900 glassine envelopes of heroin; all amounting to over $30,000 in value. In addition, a sawed-off shotgun, five handguns, and an assault rifle were found by law enforcement.

Criminal offenses that relate to drug possession and sale carry serious consequences. If you’ve been charged with a drug crime, the severity of penalties held against you will greatly depend on the type of drug you are accused of possessing or selling, as well as the amount of those particular drugs. In this specific case, many of the individuals arrested in Essex County may face lengthier jail sentences and increased fines due to weapons being involved. Also, the article mentioned that 22 of those arrested have a history of violence on their record, which may also contribute to steeper penalties.

Continue reading "Essex County Drug Arrest of 34 Gang Members" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Offenses , Gang Crimes , Legal Information

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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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According to recent reports from the New Jersey Crime Examiner, law enforcement officials in the state’s Bergen County recently rounded up over a dozen suspected gang members in an effort to curb New Jersey gang crime in the densely populated community.

Located in the northeast corner of the state, Bergen County has the highest population in the state. Police there report activity by several different street gangs, and the Examiner shows police rounded up several members of a “Rollin’ 20s” gang after a successful sting operation where undercover detectives bought guns and illegal substances from the individuals.

Police officials have identified the “Rollin’ 20s” as part of the larger national gang called “Bloods,” a notorious super-cartel that often battles a national rival gang known as “Crips.” Police in Bergen County also identified a gang called “Sex Money Murder” as part of the Bloods network.

New Jersey residents are often glad to see these sweeps occurring because gang members and those selling illegal drugs are removed from the streets. However, law enforcement can sometimes have a hard time figuring out how to arrest and charge the appropriate individuals, especially in charges related to being “part of a gang” or other criminal network.

Some young NJ residents may find themselves the target of onerous police charges where the zeal of law enforcement is misplaced in the hunt for New Jersey’s hardened gang members. In these cases, it takes help from skilled legal professionals to represent those who may be innocent, or only guilty by association, just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Continue reading "Bergen County Police Round Up “Bloods”" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Gang Crimes

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In a recent drug raid of two Browns Mills homes New Jersey state troopers and Pemberton township officers arrested seven people, reported The Trenton Times. Simultaneous raids were conducted in the 300 block of Trenton Road and the 300 block of Seminole Trail resulting in the arrest of alleged members of the Bloods street gang.

Police investigating alleged drug sales said they arrested Pemberton Township residents David Garmon, 24; Isaiah Chavis, 24; Alvin Davis, 42; Joanne Scott, 31; Samuel Redding, 19; Rhasaun Conover, 27, of Trenton and Mary Hartsfield, 35, of Hainesport. Drugs and weapons including crack cocaine and marijuana, a loaded handgun, a stun gun, ammunition, a digital scale, drug paraphernalia and cash were reportedly seized.

The New Jersey Comprehensive Drug Reform Act (N.J.S.2C) calls for stiff penalties for all drug offenses in New Jersey to "ensure the imposition of stern, consistent punishment for all drug offenders." A drug offense conviction in New Jersey for even possession of crack cocaine can result in a 3-5 years jail sentence and a fine of $1000 to $25,000. In addition to other fines payable, every defendant convicted of any drug offense or who goes into a drug diversionary program must pay a mandatory penalty ranging from $500 to $3000. A conviction for the use or possession of drug paraphanalia can result in a sentence of up to six months in jail, mandatory fine of $500 to $1000 and a mandatory loss of driving privileges for up to two years.

At Lependorf & Silverstein our expert drug crime lawyers in New Jersey draw from a wealth of experience to get our clients the best outcome in their case. We know the mistakes that law enforcement agencies tend to make in filing charges and making overzealous arrests in a “drug bust” situation. Call us to discuss how we can put our knowledge to work for you.

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Posted In: Drug Offenses , Gang Crimes

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