HAVE YOU BEEN ACCUSED OF A CRIME?
No one plans on being charged with a crime. Mistakes happen. Unfortunately, the sentencing consequences for an error or bad choice can be grave — high fines, incarceration, a criminal record that you cannot expunge, and for those who are not United States citizens, deportation.
We will challenge the evidence and the charges against you. If you feel you were unfairly charged, we will fight for you in court. If you would prefer to plea bargain, we will work to reduce the penalties to include a smaller jail sentence, lower fines, or a diversionary program.
Our law firm has helped clients charged with petty crimes and indictable offenses up to and including, but not limited to, the following fourth-degree, third-degree, second-degree and first-degree crimes:
• Drug charges, including drug possession and drug distribution
• White-collar crimes such as theft, fraud, embezzlement and extortion
• Internet crimes, including fraud and sex crime charges
• Assault, battery and domestic assault
• Transporting firearms
You should give special consideration in your selection of an attorney, as proper representation can make a substantial difference in the outcome of your case. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in New Jersey, please do not hesitate to contact my office to arrange for a free consultation. We can be reached at (732) 431-2224 or email me directly. All consultations are confidential.
Superior Court of New Jersey, Criminal Division-A Middlesex County man (AL) and another individual were accused of raping a young lady. After grand jury proceedings, AL was indicted for:
Count 1): Aggravated Sexual Assault, (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a(5), a first degree crime punishable by up to twenty (20) years in State Prison;
Count 2): Sexual Assault, (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(1), a second degree crime punishable by up to ten (10) years in State Prison;
Count 3): Aggravated Sexual Contact, (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3a), a third degree crime punishable by up to five (5) years in State Prison; and
Count 4): Criminal Sexual Contact; (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2a (5), a fourth degree crime, punishable by up to eighteen months in prison.
Had AL been found guilty of these charges, he would be subject to Megan's Law and Community Supervision for Life.
Result:
After reviewing all the discovery and evidence in the case and aggresively investigating the facts, Mr. Martin was able to work out a plea bargain with the prosecutor, for AL . The aggravated criminal sexual contact charge was amended to a third degree, aggravated assault (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(7) and AL pled guilty to a disorderly persons offense of providing alcohol to a minor. All the remaining charges were dismissed. The plea agreement saved AL from Megan's Law notification and only called for up to 270 days in the county jail. At sentencing, Mr. Martin argued zealously for probation and no jail due to AL's minimal record and the fact that alcohol was a contributing factor in the crime. The Judge sentenced AL to probation only; thus precluding AL from having to serve any more time for this offense.
Superior Court of New Jersey - Criminal Division-Monmouth County- A Monmouth County man (JC) and five other individuals were charged first degree armed robbery and aggravated assault. JC was charged with and indicted for:
1) Armed Robbery, (N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1), a first degree crime punishable by up to twenty (20) years in State Prison;
2) Possession of Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4) a second degree crime punishable by up to ten (10) years in State Prison;
3) Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5), a third degree crime punishable by up to five (5) years in State Prison;
4) Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(9), a third degree crime punishable by up to five (5) years in State Prison; and
5) Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, (N.J.S.A.2C:12-1(b)(4), a fourth degree crime punishable by up to a year and one half (18 months) in State Prison.
Result:
The State initially offerred (JC) ten (10) years State Prison time, with a mandatory requirement that (JC) serve 85 % of the sentence under the No Early Release Act (NERA), if (JC) pled guilty to first degree armed robbery. (JC) rejected this offer and signed a trial memorandum. Defendant, as set out in the trial memorandum, potentially faced forty-one and a half (41 1/2) years, if convicted on all counts, and the Court ran each sentence consecutively.
After opening statements by the State, co-defendants counsel and Mr. Martin and the testimony of just one of the State's witnesses, Mr. Martin was able to negotiate a plea bargain with the State where (JC) would plead guilty to only a third degree theft (2C:20-2) and receive a non-custodial probation. Thereby saving (JC) from any prison time. As part of the agreement, Mr. Martin was also able to dispose of three (3) other open indictable matters that (JC) had pending; without subjecting (JC) to any additional probation time.