New Jersey's Criminal Defense Blog
An assault conviction on your record can make it challenging to secure employment, housing, educational, or financial opportunities. Fortunately, New Jersey law allows some individuals convicted of criminal offenses to petition to expunge their criminal records. An expungement can relieve the stigma of a criminal record after the…
If you get arrested in New Jersey, remember that you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say could harm your case. Do not explain, apologize, or give your side of the story. Instead, ask for a lawyer immediately and wait until they are present before you…
Whether a first-time offender will go to jail upon conviction in New Jersey depends on the nature of the charges against them. While up to 90 days of jail time is a possibility for some municipal ordinance violations, judges do not have to order it. Petty disorderly persons…
During a traffic stop, the police officer may ask whether you have anything illegal in your vehicle or request permission to search your car. They may even order you out of your vehicle and search it regardless of whether you consent. Police may search a vehicle with the…
Depending on the nature of your sexual offense, you may be eligible to have your information removed from the Megan’s Law registry. If you haven’t reoffended in 15 years and an expert testifies that you aren’t a danger to the public, you can file for removal with the…
In New Jersey, indictable offenses are serious criminal charges that correspond to felonies in other states. These offenses are prosecuted more rigorously than disorderly persons offenses – New Jersey’s equivalent to misdemeanors – and carry significant potential penalties. If you’re facing an indictable offense charge in New Jersey,…
If the police ask you to come into the station for questioning, there’s a strong chance that they consider you a suspect or person of interest in the case they’re investigating. Any answers you give to their questions could affect the outcome of a subsequent case against you….
County jails and state prisons serve different purposes in New Jersey. County jails typically hold those awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences for less serious crimes. State prisons house those convicted of more serious offenses and serving longer sentences, usually over a year. State prison environments are also…
If you are facing criminal charges, you need to know how “posting bail” works in New Jersey. Recent changes in the law have had a far-reaching impact on the New Jersey criminal justice system. In January 2017, New Jersey passed the Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act. This…
Longstanding views on certain drugs and drug-related crimes are slowly changing around the country. But laws don’t always change as quickly as society’s attitudes about certain crimes. Drug offenses still carry stiff penalties in New Jersey. You should take it seriously if you’ve been accused of a drug…