Colts Neck Township NJ Criminal Defense Attorney

Are you facing criminal charges in Colts Neck, New Jersey? If so, you should consider hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Office of Jason A. Volet, we are dedicated to protecting our clients’ rights and fighting for the best possible outcome for their cases. For over a decade, we have provided top-notch legal representation for those accused of crimes or otherwise needing compassionate legal help. Let us put this extensive experience to work for you.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation with an experienced Colts Neck criminal defense lawyer.

How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help Me?

A criminal defense attorney is your advocate, one who works to protect your rights and minimize the repercussions of the charges you face. They can provide legal guidance, develop a defense strategy, and fight to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Criminal defense attorneys handle many case types, including:

• Drug crimes – Drug charges include possession of illegal drugs, distribution of controlled substances, and drug trafficking.
• Theft – Theft can range from shoplifting to grand larceny and involves taking something that belongs to someone else.
• White collar crime – White collar crimes involve financial fraud and other nonviolent offenses such as embezzlement, money laundering, insider trading, and tax evasion.
• Sex crimes – Sex crimes include sexual assault, rape, prostitution, and human trafficking.
• Violent crimes – Violent crimes involve physical harm or the threat of harm against another person, including assault and battery, armed robbery, and murder.
• Juvenile crimes – Juvenile crimes are offenses allegedly committed by minors and tried in juvenile court.
• Expungement – Expungement refers to sealing or destroying past criminal convictions from your criminal and public records.

How Are Criminal Offenses Classified in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, criminal offenses are categorized by their severity. These categories range from municipal ordinance violations to indictable offenses in all degrees.

Municipal Ordinance Violations

Municipal ordinance violations are minor offenses that violate local laws. They are usually tried in municipal court and may include infractions like disturbing the peace and public intoxication. Punishments for municipal ordinance violations can consist of community service and monetary fines.

Disorderly Persons Offenses

Disorderly persons offenses in New Jersey are less serious crimes that are classified as misdemeanors in other states. They can be broken down into two types:

• Petty disorderly persons offenses – These less serious offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. Examples of petty disorderly persons offenses include harassment and disorderly conduct.
• Regular disorderly persons offenses – These offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail. Examples of regular disorderly persons offenses include criminal mischief and simple assault.

Indictable Offenses

The most severe criminal offenses in New Jersey are called indictable offenses – the equivalent of felonies in other states. These can range from fourth-degree indictable offenses, which are the least serious, to first-degree indictable offenses, which are the most serious. They carry the following potential punishments:

• Fourth-degree indictable offenses carry a prison sentence of up to 18 months and fines of up to $10,000. Examples of fourth-degree offenses include aggravated assault and forgery.
• Third-degree indictable offenses carry a prison sentence of up to 5 years and fines of up to $15,000. Examples of third-degree offenses include possession of a dangerous substance and burglary.
• Second-degree indictable offenses carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years and fines of up to $150,000. Examples of second-degree offenses include unlawful possession of a firearm and sexual assault.
• First-degree indictable offenses carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years and fines of up to $200,000. Examples of first-degree offenses include murder and rape.

What Is the Standard of Proof in Criminal Cases?

When a criminal case goes to court, the prosecutor must prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the defendant is guilty of committing the crime. This is the highest legal burden of proof. To reach a guilty verdict, each jury member must be certain beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime.

Can My Sentence Be Reduced or Dismissed?

Depending on the circumstances, there may be certain ways to reduce your sentence or have the charges against you dismissed outright. For example, accepting responsibility for the offense and making efforts to rehabilitate yourself could persuade a judge to reduce your sentence. Prosecutors may have to drop their case against you if it is weak or if police violated your rights when gathering the evidence against you. Ultimately, your criminal defense attorney can review the facts of your case and advise you on the best course of action.

Are Minors Prosecuted Differently?

In New Jersey, minors who enter the criminal justice system are treated differently than adults. In most cases, a minor will be prosecuted in the juvenile court system. This system generally focuses more on rehabilitation than punishment. For example, judges may sentence minors to counseling or community service instead of jail time. But a minor accused of serious crimes, such as homicide or certain sex offenses, may be tried as an adult and face adult penalties.

Will a Criminal Conviction Stay on My Record?

A criminal conviction can impact your life even after you have completed your sentence. A conviction will stay on your permanent record, potentially jeopardizing certain employment, education, and housing opportunities. However, those convicted of nonviolent offenses or minor crimes in New Jersey may be eligible to have that conviction expunged – or deleted – from their records. It’s important to note that even with an expungement, some records can remain accessible to certain government agencies and employers.

Contact a Colts Neck Criminal Defense Lawyer

Reach out to a skilled criminal defense lawyer immediately if you are accused of a criminal offense in Colts Neck, New Jersey. The Law Office of Jason A. Volet has the experience and knowledge to defend your case and protect your rights. Our team will work tirelessly to pursue the best possible outcome for you. Lead attorney Jason Volet has handled more than 2,000 cases as a prosecutor and defense attorney, so we understand the law and court system inside and out. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Colts Neck criminal defense attorney.