Category: New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog
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…
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…
After an arrest, you may first appear in court at an arraignment. Going to court can seem overwhelming, especially when facing criminal charges for the first time or if the police did not release you after your booking. Understanding what to expect at an arraignment in New Jersey…
Police conduct an illegal search in New Jersey when they search a person’s car, home, or body without first obtaining their consent or securing a search warrant. Illegal searches can happen in a variety of situations, but one of the most common is when an officer stops someone…
Entrapment happens when someone working in a law enforcement capacity uses threats, harassment, or fraud to coerce another person into committing an offense. If the defendant would not otherwise have committed the crime, they can use entrapment as a legal defense to criminal charges. Because proving entrapment can…