Trenton Criminal Defense Lawyer
Results-Driven Criminal Defense Lawyers Represent Clients in Trenton, New Jersey
Most people never expect to find themselves facing criminal accusations and the possibility of fines, jail time and a criminal record that could follow them for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, this is a situation that many people unexpectedly find themselves in for a variety of reasons—from poor judgment to mistaken identity or even a simple lack of understanding of the New Jersey criminal laws. It is important to remember that not every criminal accusation must result in a conviction and resulting criminal record. Retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney who knows the criminal justice system to advocate on your behalf can help ensure that your future is protected.
At The Scardella Law Firm LLC, we are aware of the severe consequences that any criminal conviction can carry, and have over a decade’s worth of experience successfully fighting for our clients’ rights in the New Jersey criminal justice system. Our attorneys have experience working for the prosecution, and consistently use this prosecutorial experience to anticipate the prosecutors next steps to our clients’ advantage. Our successes have been recognized in many different forums, including Super Lawyers and a perfect 10 AVVO rating.
If you have been accused of a crime in Trenton, do not delay in retaining experienced legal counsel to advocate on your behalf. We offer a free initial consultation to all potential clients, so contact our office today to begin work on formulating your defense strategy.
Common Criminal Accusations in Trenton, New Jersey
We have defended clients in Trenton who have been accused of crimes that run the gamut and understand what it takes to minimize the potential current and future consequences of these criminal accusations. We regularly defend clients who have been accused of:
- Assault. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1, assault can be either a simple or aggravated charge, and is the crime of injuring or attempting to injure another person.
- Disorderly conduct. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2, disorderly conduct is behavior that is deemed to be disruptive generally and can even involve the use of offensive language. Disorderly conduct charges can function as a type of “catch-all” accusation designed to prevent behavior that is simply undesirable.
- Theft. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3, theft-related charges can vary substantially from the petty offense of shoplifting minor items to much more serious theft charges. The severity of punishment for a theft charge can depend upon any number of factors, from the value of the item stolen to whether the accused individual was armed.
- DUI or DWI charges. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, DWI charges in Trenton will vary in severity depending upon the level of alcohol found in the accused individual’s blood and whether it is a first or subsequent offense.
- Drug-related offenses. Drug-related accusations can vary dramatically, and range from simple possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia to severe prescription drug crimes.
- Domestic Violence. N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 and several related statutes govern domestic violence charges, which can be magnified in severity when one party files for a temporary or permanent restraining order.
We regularly handle these and many other types of cases in our criminal defense practice in Trenton and take every client’s charge seriously regardless of what the potential penalties may be.
An Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help Protect Your Future
While it can sometimes seem appealing to simply accept your charges and complete the required punishment, a criminal conviction is not something that will go away once you have completed your punishment. A criminal record will last a lifetime without experienced legal guidance and can show up on a future background check when you least expect that it will become an issue. Background checks are relatively easy to obtain—remember that an employer or landlord may require a criminal background check, and explaining a past criminal conviction can be extremely uncomfortable even if it was a minor offense.
Call to Schedule a Free Consultation With a Top Rated Trenton, NJ Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been accused of a crime in Trenton, contact our offices to discuss your case today. We offer a free initial consultation to all of our potential clients, and we can be reached via phone or by filling out this online form.
About Trenton, NJ
Trenton is the capital of New Jersey and is located in Mercer County, near the Pennsylvania border and Philadelphia. Trenton was originally settled by the Quakers, a religious group that left Europe after being persecuted for their religious beliefs. During the 1950s and 1960s, many middle-class residents left the area for more prosperous suburbs of the capital, leading to a significant increase in criminal activity in the area. Today, the area is home to about 85,000 residents and is still considered to be part of the New York metropolitan area despite its close proximity to Philadelphia.
Frequently Asked Questions for Criminal Defendants in Trenton, NJ
The police must have a warrant to search your property, or they must have probable cause to conduct the search. Probable cause can be inferred from your behavior in a variety of circumstances and is not particularly difficult for law enforcement officials to prove. Despite this, an experienced criminal defense attorney will evaluate all of the circumstances to determine whether a search was conducted illegally, and can often have damaging evidence excluded on this basis.
Crimes are categorized based on severity, with a first-degree offense being the most serious of crimes and a fourth-degree offense the least severe. Disorderly persons offenses are similar to misdemeanors in New Jersey and are considered to be the least serious of crimes. The potential punishment for any given crime depends upon where that offense is rated on the scale of offenses. Even though some offenses may seem minor, the repercussions of conviction continue to be severe, making it important to retain a criminal defense attorney even if the charge seems minor to you.
