Month: March 2024

Murder and manslaughter are arguably two of the most tragic crimes. They both result in the loss of human life, however, their differences are significant. If you are being charged with murder or manslaughter in New Jersey, contact a Bergen County, New Jersey criminal defense lawyer for assistance. How is Murder Defined? Murder is defined as the unlawful and intentional killing of another human being. A murder conviction will depend on evidence that the killing was done with malicious intent and was premeditated or done with some forethought. It is one of the most serious and severe crimes that a person can commit. How is Manslaughter Defined? Manslaughter is defined as the unlawful but unintentional killing of another human being. People who commit manslaughter did end the life of another but it occurred either completely unintentionally or was an action taken with no thought in the heat of the moment. Manslaughter charges are divided into two categories, called voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Involuntary manslaughter is a true accident and typically results from criminal negligence or recklessness. An example of this could be a person driving under the influence of alcohol and striking and killing a pedestrian crossing the street. The […]

Committing an act of assault is a crime taken seriously across the United States. Under New Jersey law, an aggravated assault conviction is accompanied by a slew of penalties. The degree of offense you are charged with and therefore the severity of the consequences you receive will vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case. For more information on New Jersey state law and legal representation, reach out to a Bergen County, New Jersey assault lawyer. Is Aggravated Assault a Misdemeanor or Felony? In New Jersey, aggravated assault is considered an indictable offense. An indictable offense is the state’s term for a felony charge. Simple assault is considered a misdemeanor and does not include the use of a deadly weapon. Because of the severity of the consequences of an aggravated assault, the penalties are much harsher. Aggravated assault does not have one simple definition in terms of New Jersey state law. Each of the following situations can result in a felony aggravated assault charge. Causing or attempting to cause someone bodily harm Causing or attempting to cause someone bodily harm with a deadly weapon Recklessly injuring someone with a deadly weapon Aiming a firearm at someone Aiming either a […]

Theft is the unlawful stealing of property that does not belong to you without permission from the owner. Penalties for theft in New Jersey will depend on the type of theft, the value of the property, and a multitude of factors related to the crime. Theft can be charged as either a misdemeanor (referred to as a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey) or as a felony. A misdemeanor charge will yield less harsh consequences, but penalties will vary depending on your individual case. If you are facing theft charges contact a Bergen County, New Jersey theft lawyer for legal advice and representation. When is Theft Considered a Felony? It can be confusing to determine whether or not you will be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. The charges for theft in New Jersey range from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. Misdemeanor charges are considered theft of items valuing $200 or less. Fourth-degree felony charges relate to the theft of items valuing $200 to $500. A third-degree felony charge will result from the theft of items totaling $500 to $75,000. A second-degree felony charge is considered theft of items valuing more than $75,000. A first-degree felony is not […]

A DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charge is accompanied by a slew of harsh consequences. DUI is used interchangeably with DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in New Jersey. A DUI refers to the crime of operating a motor vehicle after consuming drugs or alcohol to the extent that it alters your ability to safely and coherently operate the vehicle. A conviction like this can have serious repercussions. So how long does a DUI really stay on your record in the state of New Jersey? The answer is forever. After being convicted of a DUI there is nothing you can do that will remove the charge from your driving record. However, if you have a DUI conviction the positive news is that while it will remain on your driving record permanently, it will never appear on your criminal record. If you require legal representation concerning a DUI charge, contact our competent Bergen County, New Jersey DUI lawyers. Will a DUI/DWI Appear on My Criminal Record in New Jersey? A DUI charge is not a criminal offense in New Jersey. NJ is one of the few states where a DUI is considered a traffic violation. Because DUIs in New Jersey are treated as […]