An experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney can help persons charged with a variety of crimes, ranging from municipal matters and disorderly persons offenses (also known as misdemeanors) to crimes (also know as felonies) and federal crimes.
Many New Jersey criminal defense attorneys have experience handling cases both in municipal courts across New Jersey and in state and federal court. Minor charges like traffic tickets for speeding, trespassing, DWI and shoplifting may be heard in municipal courts. However, there are more serious charges like drug crimes, federal crimes or white-collar crimes that may be heard in state or federal court.
Broadly, a New Jersey criminal defense attorney may help represent persons charged with the following crimes.
Sex Crimes
Sex crimes involve sexual activities and can include prostitution, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, pornography, and child sexual abuse. Being charged with such crimes can have a devastating impact on a person's professional and personal life. Sex crimes can be charged either as felonies or misdemeanors, and punishments can include jail time, fines, probation, and registration as a sex offender. Our firm is experienced in handling Megan’s Law issues.
Drug Crimes
Drug crimes are some of the most serious crimes in New Jersey. In New Jersey, you can be charged with possession, distribution, and sale of a number of drugs, including marijuana, methamphetamines, ecstasy, heroin, and cocaine. Possession of marijuana could result in lower, disorderly persons offenses (also known as misdemeanor charges), while possession of cocaine, heroin or other controlled substances could result in you being charged with amore serious crime (also known as felony charges).
Federal Crimes
A separate class of crimes called federal crimes involves the violation of federal statutes. These crimes fall within the jurisdiction of the federal government, and they include crimes like mail fraud, conspiracy, bank fraud, kidnapping and wire fraud.
White-Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes are typically motivated by financial gain or profit. The term “white-collar crimes” comes from the assumption that such crimes are typically committed by persons with white-collar jobs. Examples of white-collar crimes include fraud, embezzlement, pension fund crimes, securities fraud, financial fraud, consumer fraud, forgery, counterfeiting, Internet fraud, money laundering, credit card fraud and tax evasion.
Violent Crimes
As the term suggests, these are crimes that involve the use of violence and force to inflict injury on another person. Persons charged with murder, assault, battery, manslaughter and domestic violence may find themselves charged with serious crimes (also known as felonies), with serious long-term consequences.
If you have been charged with disorderly persons offenses, sex crimes, drug crimes, DWI, assault, white-collar crimes or any other crime in New Jersey, consult with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney at Helmer Paul Conley and Kasselman.