Month: August 2026

When stopped by a police officer in New Jersey and asked to take a chemical test, you must do so, unless you are prepared for the legal ramifications of refusal. These chemical tests could be blood, urine, or breath tests, with breathalyzers being a popular test, meant to determine if you are intoxicated with drugs or alcohol. If you use a public road, it is legally understood that you accepted the necessity of taking a chemical test upon a police officer’s request. The rules about field sobriety tests, as opposed to chemical tests, are rather different. Unlike chemical tests, field sobriety tests are tests of coordination and balance. Unfortunately, it is that same focus that can render them unreliable. Medical conditions and even weather conditions can affect your performance on a physical test regardless of whether you are or are not intoxicated. This blog post will give an overview of field sobriety tests. For personalized answers to specific DWI questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Bergen County DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Why Are Field Sobriety Tests Used? Chemical tests are meant to analyze the amount of a substance in your body. These can be unreliable insomuch […]

When it comes to underage drinking, New Jersey has enacted a zero-tolerance policy. While adults must have their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at 0.08%, even 0.01% is sufficient to charge a minor. A BAC limit of 0.01% may be equivalent to a single drink for some people. Possession of alcohol by minors can also be punished by law. This blog post will discuss exceptions to these laws, penalties for breaking New Jersey’s DWI laws, and the negative future consequences of a DUI conviction beyond those directly imposed by a court. If an underage driver in your family is accused of a DUI, don’t wait and call an experienced Bergen County, New Jersey DUI lawyer today. Exceptions to New Jersey’s Tough DUI Laws Before we get to the legal penalties for underage drunk driving, it will be useful to review some exceptions. Although the legal drinking age in New Jersey is 21, there are exceptions. For instance, it may deemed legally acceptable if the minor is on private premises, that do not sell alcohol, and their legal guardian agrees. Other exceptions include consuming alcohol for medical, religious, or educational purposes. Penalties for a New Jersey Underage DUI Just like the blood […]

New Jersey doesn’t consider burglary a violent crime like it does robbery, because burglary is understood to be force used to acquire an object and not force used against a person. Even so, burglary charges can carry consequences to the tune of $15,000 in fines and up to ten years in prison for the worst offenses. Do you find yourself struggling to shoulder a burglary charge? Contact a Bergen County criminal defense lawyer right away. We’ll help you understand your options. We are experienced defense lawyers and we won’t rest until we get you the best result possible. What Is Burglary Exactly? How Does New Jersey Law Define It? The Garden State defines burglary in the New Jersey Burglary Controlling Statute N.J.S. 2C:18-2. The elements of a burglary charge that the prosecution must prove are: With an intent to commit a crime You entered a structure that was either off-limits entirely, or you entered an off-limits area of a public space You remain there despite knowing you don’t have permission OR you trespass on utility company property despite there being visible, noticeable signs that others shouldn’t enter, like signs or fencing. Typically, New Jersey courts consider burglary a third-degree offense, […]

The potential punishments for DUIs are hefty. Receiving one such charge in your home state is often problematic enough, but if you are declared guilty of an out-of-state DUI, the situation may be even more worrying. Depending on the circumstances, you may end up facing consequences in two states. Consult with a Bergen County, New Jersey DUI lawyer if you have been charged with driving under the influence. Our law office has extensive experience with traffic defense cases like DUIs and will do our utmost to get your charges dismissed. Understanding DWIs, DUIs, and DWAIs in New Jersey There are two main abbreviations used in the United States for the action of consuming a substance that alters your ability to receive and process sensory information for a limited time: DWI and DUI. DWI is short for driving while intoxicated and DUI is short for driving under the influence. Usually, the substance being referenced is alcohol, but other substances like prescription medicine and controlled drugs also fit under the definition of the law in New Jersey. What Happens if I Get an Out-of-State DUI? Most states belong to the Interstate Driver’s License Compact, otherwise known as the IDLC. However, this compact […]

Across the country, the penalties for drug trafficking are considerable. Keep reading to learn about drug trafficking charges in New Jersey, and call a Bergen County, New Jersey drug crime lawyer today if you are facing similar charges. We’ll fight hard to defend your rights. How Does New Jersey Classify Drugs? Schedules I—V New Jersey looks to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) schedule classifications for controlled substances as the basis for state drug trafficking charges. The schedules use three factors to categorize substances: dangers associated with a drug, likelihood of abuse, and medical benefits the drug may have. Drugs are sorted, with the schedules organized in descending order from most to least dangerous. Under the FDA, Schedule I substances such as LSD and marijuana combine a lack of acceptable medical uses with a high possibility of abuse. Meanwhile, Schedule II substances like oxycodone have a high possibility of abuse, but can also have some legitimate medical uses, and so are legal with a prescription. Schedule III substances (such as buprenorphine) are less likely to be abused than Schedule I or II substances, but can still cause physical or mental dependence. Lastly, Schedule IV and V substances are prescription drugs […]

Navigating the roads of New Jersey, it’s not uncommon for drivers to occasionally exceed the speed limit. Whether it’s due to distraction, a momentary lapse in judgment, or unfamiliarity with the area, getting flashed by a speed camera or pulled over by a law enforcement officer can be a distressing experience. But what follows? What are the consequences of that simple speeding ticket? Please continue reading and reach out to a dedicated Bergen County, New Jersey traffic ticket lawyer to learn more. Here are some of the questions you may have: What Are the Penalties for Speeding Tickets in New Jersey? New Jersey has a tiered system for speeding infractions. The fines and consequences you face depend largely on how much you exceeded the speed limit. 1-9 mph over: Generally, this is considered a minor offense and carries a lighter fine. 10-19 mph over: Here, the fines increase, reflecting the greater risk associated with higher speeds. 20+ mph over: At this level, you’re looking at the steepest fines, and in some cases, even a potential license suspension. But that’s not all. There are additional surcharges, court costs, and the potential increase in insurance premiums to consider. What Are the Consequences […]

The prosecutor has a rather well-defined role when you are on trial for criminal charges. They have set out to build a case that is convincing enough to make the jury find you guilty. They have a lot of resources at their disposal and they are sure to receive plenty of help as they pursue this goal. That is exactly why you should consider hiring an experienced Bergen County, New Jersey defense lawyer from our firm. What Can a Prosecutor Do During My Case? Your prosecutor can do a lot to investigate your case and follow up on some of what the police have already done. Do not be surprised to see a prosecutor: Run their own sting operations Ask for search warrants that can be used to obtain more evidence against you Surveil suspects and other people related to a crime Interview suspects or witnesses They can also negotiate plea deals with defendants. In cases like these, a defendant will plead guilty to a lesser charge and receive a less severe sentence than they might have received if they had gone through with a jury trial. What is the Primary Goal of the Prosecutor? More than anything, the role […]

When someone is accused of a crime and they go to trial, there is a presumption of innocence. That means that it is the prosecution’s job to build a case against the defendant and show that there is a high chance that they committed the crimes that they are accused of. The jury is instructed to only find the defendant guilty if the prosecutor proves their argument “beyond a reasonable doubt,” meaning that any reasonable person would not have significant doubts that the defendant was guilty. If you are facing criminal charges, you need to create reasonable doubt and show that the state’s case against you is not as ironclad as it seems. A Bergen County, New Jersey criminal defense lawyer from our firm can help you. Why Does the Court Use Reasonable Doubt? Our legal system focuses on reasonable doubt over absolute doubt for a reason. There is a presumption of innocence when someone is charged with a crime, but it is also extremely difficult to prove that someone happened beyond all absolute doubt. Proving a case beyond a reasonable doubt is still a high burden for the prosecution, but it is not an impossible bar to clear. Even […]

Getting a jury duty summons is rarely something someone looks forward to, but people in this country have a right to jury trials. So consider serving on a jury as performing your civic duty. One thing you should not do is ignore that summons. You can actually end up facing punishments of your own. Calling a Bergen County, New Jersey criminal defense lawyer over an accusation of skipping jury duty might seem silly, so follow our advice and read on to see how this system works instead. Will I Be Punished For Missing Jury Duty? Generally, when the state wants you to do something and you ignore its request, there will be some kind of punishment. Failing to appear could net you a fine of up to $500, payable to the county where you were summoned. If you are called by the court to appear and show why you did not comply with the summons, you can be fined up to $1,000 and sentenced to up to three days in jail. I think we can all agree that just accepting the jury summons seems like the smarter option here. What Kind of Jury Will I Serve On? You could serve […]

The cops and prosecution might tell you that it’s the easier path, but it is rare that deciding to plead guilty to a crime is your best path forward. There are many consequences you could face after being found guilty, so make sure that you exhaust your options fighting these charges first. A Bergen County, New Jersey criminal defense lawyer from our firm is ready to help you. What Should I Do If I Am Charged With a Crime? When you are charged with a crime, you should not panic. You have rights and you need to act to protect them. You may be brought into a police station where cops or the prosecutor themself might have questions for you. You are not obligated to answer any of these questions. You have the right to protect yourself from self-incrimination, and that means that you do not need to talk to these people at all. At this time you should contact a lawyer and get ready to enter a plea of not guilty. Why Should I Plead Not Guilty? When you plead not guilty, you have the chance to make a case of your own. With the help of your lawyer, […]