The first rule of criminal law litigation is that every person is assumed innocent until proven guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt. At Zapicchi & Liller, our criminal defense attorneys in Burlington County, NJ, have successfully handled a vast array of client cases, from indictable felony crimes in Superior state courts to misdemeanors and disorderly persons cases in Municipal courts.
If you or someone you love has been accused and charged with any criminal offense in Bordentown NJ, or Hamilton Township, NJ, the most important initial step that you must take is to retain the services of a reputable, experienced, and widely knowledgeable criminal lawyer; just like you would a traffic lawyer for moving violations. Our criminal defense attorneys will spare no effort to aggressively and firmly advocate for your rights and best interests from the beginning to the end.
The approach of our criminal defense attorneys is aggressive and firm, ensuring that you end up with the best possible result in Burlington County, NJ, and Mercer County, NJ. Quick, decisive action on your part could be the difference between a well-crafted, winning strategy and a sloppy, ill-prepared time-barred defense.
Given the many classes and types of criminal offenses, there are a variety of penalties and charges which can be imposed. The punishment for a given crime is also dependent on factors other than the crime. For example, a non-citizen of the United States risks deportation on conviction for a petty disorderly person’s offense. Additionally, convictions can also prevent you from obtaining US citizenship.
Other criminal offenses have different penalties depending on the particular merits of each case. At Zapicchi & Liller, our criminal defense attorneys have successfully litigated numerous criminal offenses in Mercer County, NJ, and Burlington County, NJ, which include:
Criminal law charges are divided into petty disorderly persons offenses, disorderly persons offenses, and indictable crimes, which are felonies in other states. Indictable crimes are those whose sentences carry at least a one-year prison term, and the former two are like misdemeanors in other states.
NJ law groups indictable crimes into four degrees. The term “indictable” implies that a grand jury must be convened to review the facts of the case and hence decide whether sufficient evidence exists to support formal charges. The four degrees of law are as follows:
Some crimes move up the scale if they are repeat offenses. For example, stalking as a first-time offense is 4th degree, but a second conviction against that same victim moves to 3rd degree.
The State of New Jersey does not look kindly upon those who are caught with illegal substances. To discourage the use, possession, distribution, sale, and manufacturing of future drugs, New Jersey’s complicated statutes pave the path for harsh punishments, even for first-time offenders. The charges can be divided into five different drug classifications (referred to as Schedules I to V), and the sentences vary from the first to the fourth degree.
Drug Classifications
If you or someone you know gets caught in possession of dangerous controlled substances (CDS) at the wrong place at the wrong time, you could face serious prison time. Convicted individuals, even first-timers, may face any of the following sentences depending on the type and amount of drugs they are caught with, as well as a variety of other factors.
Other punishments and penalties include the suspension of your driving privileges, expensive fines, and mandatory drug education programs.
Drug convictions can have a devastating impact on the offender’s career prospects, financial stability, relationships, and mental and physical health. At Zapicchi & Liller, our best criminal defense attorneys don’t believe one mistake should define the rest of your life. We’re here to help you learn an important lesson productively and efficiently — not behind bars. Our drug defense attorneys will always be in your corner. Contact our experienced law firm today!
Although the Constitution’s Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to bear arms, the State of New Jersey has strict laws that carefully define who can lawfully possess and carry a firearm. Failure to comply with these laws may result in weapons charges for unlawful possession (NJSA 2C:39-5).
Any person who knowingly is in possession of a weapon without first obtaining the correct license or permit may violate NJSA 2C:39-5. Weapons are not limited to guns and firearms such as machine guns, handguns, pistols, rifles, shotguns, automatic or semi-automatic rifles, air guns, or spring guns. Anything that can readily be assembled into a weapon for unlawful use may result in a weapons charge. These weapons include:
Certain weapons are outlawed in New Jersey and cannot be obtained legally. Severe penalties are imposed upon those who are in possession of explosive devices, silencers, or other prohibited weapons.
The circumstances surrounding the weapon used at the time of the arrest will determine the severity of the offense. For example, first-time offenders may be punished to the full extent of the law for unlawful possession if they cause or intend to cause harm with a weapon. Due to the strict nature of New Jersey’s weapons law, it’s best to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney if you or someone you know is facing a weapons charge.
Generally, basic weapons charges fall under one of the following categories:
Given the many classes and types of criminal offenses, there are a variety of penalties and charges which can be imposed. The penalty for a given crime is also dependent on factors other than the crime. For example, a non-citizen of the United States risks deportation on conviction for a petty disorderly persons offense. Convictions can also prevent you from attaining U.S. citizenship.
Other criminal offenses have different penalties depending on the particular merits of each case. At Zapicchi & Liller, we have successfully litigated a number of criminal offenses in Mercer County, NJ, Monmouth County, NJ, and Burlington County, NJ, which include:
We recommend that you visit our offices near Bordentown, NJ, and Hamilton Township, NJ, for a consultation and speak to our criminal defense attorneys before your first appearance in court. Our criminal defense lawyers will sit with you to carefully review all evidence on which the State bases its case to ensure that your rights were not violated, filing motions to suppress evidence in a manner that violated your rights.
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