New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

For a teenager to be sentenced as an adult is a serious matter which usually draws differing public opinion regarding whether justice has been served or if justice has gone too far. According to an nj.com article, a Jersey City teen, who is now 17-years-old, was 16 at the time he was arrested for holding a gun to a man’s head during a robbery. On October 29, 2009 the teen received a sentence as an adult amounting to six years in prison. Whether the teen will be held with other youthful offenders until he turns 18, or will be housed with the general population at the prison, is yet to be decided by New Jersey Department of Corrections Officials.

Apparently, the teen had eight prior encounters with law enforcement before the alleged robbery with the gun. Other allegations against the boy relate to acts of violence and weapons use. Based on the article, a Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor stated that the boy is required to serve 85% of his sentence before he may be able to qualify for parole, and also said, “This is still a young man and there is some chance of rehabilitation.”

This case has raised concern regarding an unsettling trend in the amount of juvenile offenders who seem to rapidly turn to serious crimes. The argument behind this teen’s prison sentence is that his first conviction was an armed robbery case, whereas other juveniles may receive some leeway in the form of a probation sentence if their first conviction is a drug case. The Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor also said, “We are seeing more and more gun-related crimes or crimes of violence by people who are younger.”

Continue reading "Jersey City 16-Year-Old Sentenced as an Adult" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Juvenile Crimes , Legal Information , Robbery

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An Orange, New Jersey man is being charged with robbing the TD Banknorth branch on South Street in Middleton. According to this news report, police suspect that the 37-year-old Eddie Young may be responsible for an earlier robbery at the same bank. Young was apparently identified by a downtown bike officer and pursued into a gym on North Street. A number of officers reportedly pursued Young, who reportedly yelled at officers telling them he had a gun and would shoot them.

Police arrested Young in the basement of the gym. He did not possess a gun or any other weapon. Young was charged with robbery in the first degree and grand larceny in the third degree – both felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, criminal trespass and injuring a police animal (for striking a police dog). He may face more charges.

Robbery in the first degree is a serious crime in New Jersey. Robbery is considered a violent crime because of the use of physical threat or possible use of a weapon or firearm. A robbery conviction could result in lengthy prison time. If the same person is accused of robbing different locations or the same location more than once, then he or she faces an increased number of counts. The punishment will be harsher and can include lengthier prison time or heftier fines.

If you have been accused of a robbery in New Jersey, you would be well-advised to contact skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorneys who will be able to analyze the facts of the case and build a solid defense strategy for you. Call Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free and comprehensive consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Robbery

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Westerville police officials believe that the recent arrest of six men in a New Jersey hotel has broken a jewelry theft ring that operated on a national scale. According to this report, police used DNA evidence and fingerprints taken from the scene of a jewel heist to link the men to a string of recent robberies of jewelers in New Jersey, New York City and other locations across the country. The robbery leading to the arrests took place in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in Westerville when a jeweler from Indiana was lost on his way to a jewelry show and stopped to ask directions to his hotel.

The jeweler waited in his SUV while his wife and daughter went into the restaurant to ask directions and get something to eat. While they were inside, the thieves broke several windows of the SUV, threatened the jeweler with a firearm and began taking suitcases filled with $1 million worth of jewelry out of the vehicle. As the robbers fled in a Chrysler 300M, the jeweler drew his handgun and began firing at the getaway vehicle, hitting it at least seven times. Police investigating the incident found the getaway car several blocks away and collected fingerprints and DNA evidence that led to the eventual arrest of six suspects in an area hotel. A variety of charges are pending against the six suspects and police say the investigation is underway.

Theft charges, especially those involving interstate travel, can result in steep fines and lengthy prison sentences. But regardless of the nature of the theft, everyone is entitled to competent legal counsel. If you or someone you care for is facing criminal charges, the skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein may be able to help.

In over fifteen years of defending clients, these experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyers have helped countless defendants and have earned a reputation of tirelessly defending their clients. To schedule a free consultation with this well-respected New Jersey criminal defense law firm, call them today at 609.240.0040.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Robbery

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A recent report claims that a man described as a career criminal has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for robbing a man on a bicycle in New Brunswick. Jermaine Smith-Echevarria, 32, of New Brunswick robbed a 38-year-old man pushing a bicycle around midnight on May 26, 2007, on Townsend Street and Lee Avenue. According to assistant Middlesex County prosecutor Kevin Flood, Smith-Echevarria, must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he can be considered for parole.

Law enforcement officials say that Smith-Echevarria and an unknown accomplice saw the man pushing a bicycle with a flat tire that night and hid from sight until the man was close enough to rob. Flood said they jumped him and took $440 cash in his pocket, but the victim chased Smith-Echevarria and told a witness to call the police. Smith-Echevarria ran down an alley and through several backyards. He temporarily eluded the police until he doubled back through the same alley where the victim was waiting for Smith-Echevarria. The victim tackled him and held him for the police. Thankfully, the robbery victim did not suffer physical injury from any attempted New Jersey assault.

The robbery charges carry a 10-year maximum prison term, but because of Smith-Echevarria's extensive criminal record, which included 24 previous arrests and convictions in New Jersey and Virginia, he was eligible for an extended term of up to 20 years under New Jersey law.

Whether you have a criminal history or not, everyone is entitled to competent legal representation, and if you or someone you care for is facing serious criminal charges, call the skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein. We have years of experience representing clients charged with a wide range of crimes and will work hard to defend our clients’ rights at all times. For a free consultation with knowledgeable top criminal defense lawyers in New Jersey, call Lependorf & Silverstein today at 609.240.0040.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Robbery

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According to this recent Newsday report, two Newark men have been arrested and are facing charges for a rash of robberies and criminal homicide in New Jersey of a gas station attendant killed in one of the robberies. Raymond Perry, 43, and David Fate, 24, face felony murder charges in the death of 29-year-old Daniel Pritchard, who worked at a Verona gas station. The pair also face multiple charges for assault, robbery, and weapons violations in what law enforcement officials have called a three-week crime spree.

According to Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow, Fate was arrested in South Carolina where he awaits extradition and Perry was apprehended at a friend’s house in Newark. The court set a $1 million bail each, and according to prosecutors, neither man has a defense attorney.

People convicted of murder, felony assault, robbery, weapons violations, and other serious charges face lengthy prison terms, steep fines and probation, and have a permanent mark on their records for the rest of their lives.

Continue reading "Newark Murder and Robbery Charges against Men" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Murder , Robbery

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Two men have been arrested on suspicion of a May 4 murder in Trenton. Patrick McFarlane, 19, and Roderick Armstrong, 20, were arrested in connection with the murder of 44-year-old Richard Mason who was shot and killed at the corner of Kirkbride Avenue and New Willow Street during an alleged robbery, according to this ABC News report. Both McFarlane and Armstrong now face murder, robbery and other charges and each is being held on $500,000 bail.

Of all the violent crime charges in New Jersey, murder is probably the single, most serious crime with the gravest consequences. According to New Jersey state law 2 C: 11-3, a criminal homicide constitutes murder when the person committing the act deliberately “caused death or serious bodily injury resulting in death.” A defendant is charged with murder when prosecutors seek to prove that the defendant “intended to kill” the purported victim.

Murder can be committed by someone acting alone or by two or more people as it is alleged in this case. This incident apparently occurred when a robbery was in progress. The consequences for these violent crimes are extremely serious and could include a lengthy prison sentence, possibly life in prison. A crime sentence usually depends on the nature and severity of a crime. Other mitigating factors are considered at sentencing as well.

Evidence – physical or circumstantial – and the defense are two factors that will probably determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant. It takes an experienced criminal defense attorney to sift through the evidence in a complex murder case. It takes a knowledgeable New Jersey assault crime attorney to build up a strong defense and find loopholes in the prosecution’s case. At Lependorf & Silverstein, we handle each and every case with great care and determination. If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges in New Jersey, please call us today. Your life could depend on it.

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Posted In: Robbery

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