Trenton Office
Trenton Criminal Lawyer
What We Do:
Criminal Defense
We handle all types of criminal cases in Trenton. Whether you have been charged with a disorderly person's offense or an indictable crime, you need an experienced Trenton criminal lawyer on your side. Our lawyers bring centuries of combined experience to fighting for clients
accused of:
● Assault and Battery – Our Trenton assault attorneys represent individuals charged with simple assault, aggravated assault, battery, and other violent crimes. These crimes can carry months, years, or decades of prison time, and building an effective defense requires an intimate understanding of the facts and legal issues at hand.
● Drug Charges – Marijuana possession, cocaine distribution, methamphetamine manufacturing, and other drug charges also carry severe penalties under New Jersey law. If you have been charged with any type of drug-related offense, it is important that you speak with a Trenton drug charge lawyer promptly.
● Murder – Our Trenton murder lawyers can help you regardless of the facts of your case. Whether you are innocent or not, there are defenses we can assert on your behalf.
● Police Misconduct – We represent officers charged with all forms of police misconduct. If you have been accused of unlawful arrest, using excessive force, sexual harassment, or any other violation of your official duties, a Trenton police misconduct attorney at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. can fight to help protect your career and your
freedom.
● Sexual Assault – Sexual assault allegations can have immediate and lasting
consequences. Whether you have been accused by a family member, intimate partner, or anyone else, you will need to work with an experienced Trenton sexual assault attorney who can assert your legal rights and execute a strategic defense.
● Shoplifting, Robbery, and Burglary – Shoplifting, robbery, and burglary charges can range from low-level disorderly person offenses to first-degree indictable crimes. Penalties can range from months to decades in prison and from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.
● White Collar Crimes – Our Trenton white collar crime attorneys defend individuals who have been charged with embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, public corruption, and other similar types of crimes. If you are facing charges, it is imperative that you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
From arson to weapons offenses, our lawyers represent individuals charged with a broad range of other crimes in Trenton as well. If you are facing prosecution for any alleged crime under New Jersey law, we strongly encourage you to speak with one of our lawyers in confidence.
Domestic Violence
If you have been accused of domestic violence by a spouse, partner, former spouse or partner, or anyone else, these allegations can have severe consequences. You can face a domestic violence restraining order before your case goes to trial; and, depending on the circumstances involved, you could face other pre-trial consequences as well. If your case goes to trial and you get convicted, your conviction will impact virtually all aspects of your life for years to come.
With this in mind, it is critical that you get help from a Trenton domestic violence attorney as soon as possible. When you choose Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., our attorneys will get to work defending you right away. A Trenton restraining order lawyer will conduct an investigation to gather as much evidence as possible, and we will do everything we possibly can to ensure that you do not suffer unjust consequences due to false, exaggerated, or unwarranted accusations.
In New Jersey, cases are prosecuted as domestic violence when they involve crimes committed (or allegedly committed) against family members and certain other protected individuals. As a result, many different crimes can be prosecuted as domestic violence depending on the circumstances involved. This means that the potential penalties in domestic violence cases vary widely—from a $500 fine and 30 days in jail to a $200,000 fine and life behind bars.
Expungements
While DUI convictions are not eligible for expungement, many other types of convictions are. If you have questions about clearing your record, or if you need help navigating the process, a Trenton expungement attorney at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. can help.
There are several benefits to expunging your criminal record in New Jersey. Once the process is complete, your record will be “extracted and isolated” from the state’s public records system. This means that information about your past conviction will no longer be available to police, prosecutors, employers, landlords, lenders, educational institutions, or other entities. It should also be noted that expungement frequently results in individuals being able to purchase firearms (some convictions will bar someone from having a gun and/or prevent them from getting a gun purchase permit). As a result, getting your record expunged is truly like getting a fresh start, and you owe it to yourself to do everything you can to move on from your conviction as soon as possible.
Why You Should Never Just Plead Guilty to Criminal Charges in Trenton
Many people feel helpless after getting arrested. They assume that the odds are stacked against them, and they resign themselves to facing whatever sentence the judge may decide to impose. If you feel this way, you are not alone, but it is also important to understand that you do have options available.
Even if you know you committed a crime, you should not just plead guilty. Doing so can be an extremely costly mistake. To protect yourself, you should consult with a Trenton criminal lawyer who can help you assess your options and make smart decisions about how to move forward.
Here are five reasons why you should never just plead guilty to criminal charges in Trenton:
1. You Always Have Defenses Available
No matter what, you always have defenses available. Even if the evidence is stacked against you, the prosecution still must meet its burden of proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecution’s case is lacking in any respect, this is enough to entitle you to walk away free.
From police and prosecutorial misconduct to affirmative defenses (i.e., self-defense or defense of others), there are many other ways to defend against criminal charges in Trenton as well. An experienced defense lawyer will be able to thoroughly examine your case and put together an effective strategy for minimizing the consequences of your arrest.
2. You May Qualify for Pre-Trial Diversion or Conditional Dismissal
In many cases, individuals who have committed crimes can avoid prosecution by entering into one of New Jersey’s pre-trial diversion or conditional dismissal programs. (Note that if you are charged with a drug offense, you may be eligible for a conditional discharge in municipal court). If you qualify for one of these programs—and you complete the program successfully—your charge will go away. This is true even if there is no question that you committed the alleged offense.
3. Pleading Guilty Can Lead to Fines, Jail Time, and Other Penalties
If you plead guilty in court, your case will proceed to sentencing. The judge will consider the sentencing ranges for the charge (or charges) to which you pled guilty, and the judge will impose a sentence that he or she believes provides adequate punishment. Contrary to popular belief, pleading guilty will not convince the judge to go easy on you, and jail (or prison) time could be a very real possibility.
4. Pleading Guilty Limits Your Grounds to File an Appeal
If you take your case to trial, numerous issues can arise that can give you the opportunity to challenge your conviction or sentence on appeal. However, if you plead guilty, most of these opportunities will go away. Even if you don’t realize the consequences of pleading guilty during your initial appearance, this won’t provide you with grounds to file an appeal in most cases.
5. Having a Conviction On Your Record Can Negatively Impact All Aspects of Your Life
When you plead guilty, your sentence is just the start of the consequences you will face. Having a conviction on your record can negatively impact all aspects of your life. From getting a job to maintaining your child custody rights, many things become much more difficult (if not impossible) once you plead guilty to a crime.
What To Expect When You Meet with a Trenton Criminal Lawyer
So, now you know that you need an experienced lawyer on your side. What can you expect when you meet with a Trenton criminal lawyer about your case? Here is what you can expect when you schedule a meeting with a lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A.:
1. A Collaborative Effort to Uncover the Relevant Facts
During your initial consultation, your lawyer will work with you to uncover all of the facts that are relevant to your criminal case. Did the police stop you without reasonable suspicion? Did they arrest you without probable cause? Did they interrogate you in custody without reading your Miranda rights? Are there relevant facts that mean you aren’t guilty of the alleged crime? Our lawyers can help you recall the key details and use the information you provide to identify other potential sources of evidence to aid in your defense.
2. An Honest and Straightforward Assessment of Your Situation
Based on the information you provide, your lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. will provide an honest and straightforward assessment of your situation. Does it appear that you may have committed a crime based on the facts at hand? Do you have defenses that our lawyers can use to fight for a “not guilty” verdict in court? While we may need to see what other evidence is available before advising you regarding possible defense strategies, we can give you an idea of where we think you currently stand.
3. Evaluation of All Viable Defense Strategies
There are several ways to fight criminal charges in Trenton, and depending on the facts of your case, our lawyers may be able to use multiple defenses on your behalf. We will evaluate all viable defense strategies and share our thoughts on what we think are your best options.
4. Answers to All of Your Questions
If you have questions about your case, our firm, or our lawyers’ experience, we are more than happy to answer them. We encourage you to come to your initial consultation with a list of the questions you would like to have answered.
5. Discussion of Your Options, Legal Fees, and Next Steps
Before your initial consultation ends, your lawyer will go over your options, the legal fees related to your case, and your next steps if you choose our firm to represent you. If you have an arraignment or other court date pending, we will make sure you know exactly what you should be doing to prepare. We will also make sure you know how to get in touch with your lawyer directly, and we will schedule a follow-up appointment if necessary.
What You Need to Know About Your Criminal Case in Trenton
If you’ve been charged with a crime under New Jersey law, there is a lot you need to know. Mistakes can be costly, so you need to ensure that you are making informed decisions.
With this in mind, here are five important facts about facing a criminal case in Trenton:
1. Protecting Yourself is Possible, But It Won’t Be Easy
Whether you are entitled to a dismissal or your best option is to focus on lessening the consequences of your arrest, it is possible to protect yourself with an experienced Trenton criminal lawyer on your side. But, avoiding unnecessary consequences will not be easy. You will need to work closely with your lawyer throughout the process, and while you can (and should) rely on your lawyer’s representation, your lawyer will be relying on you to help build your defense as well.
2. There Are Several Important Steps in the Process Before Your Trial
Many people assume that the next step after an arrest is trial. But, this is not the case. There are several pre-trial hearings and procedures; and, as a criminal defendant, you can (and should) use these hearings and procedures to your advantage. At the very least, you need to be sure to avoid mistakes that could limit your options at trial.
3. The Specific Penalties You Are Facing Depend on the Specific Facts of Your Case
All crimes carry possible fines and jail (or prison) time under New Jersey law, and some carry mandatory minimum sentences without the possibility of parole. Many crimes carry additional penalties as well. For example, depending on the charge (or charges) you are facing, the judge could also sentence you to:
- Community service
- Probation
- Mandatory counseling
- Restraining order
- Sex offender registration
As a defendant in New Jersey’s criminal justice system, the specific penalties you are facing depend on the specific facts of your case. Knowing what is at stake is crucial for making informed decisions—although it is important to keep in mind that a criminal conviction can have long-term negative ramifications regardless of the sentence you receive in court.
4. You Need a Defense Lawyer Who Has Experience Handling Your Specific Type of Case
Different types of criminal cases present different issues, so it is important to choose a lawyer who has experience handling your specific type of case. At Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., we have Trenton assault attorneys, Trenton white collar crime attorneys, and other attorneys who have decades of experience representing individuals charged with all types of disorderly person offenses and indictable crimes. Many of our attorneys are also former prosecutors and police officers, and collectively, our attorneys offer more than 600 years of law enforcement experience.
5. It Is Up To You to Take the Next Step
While our lawyers can help you, it is up to you to take the next step. We can only provide the advice and representation you need if you get in touch. The sooner you contact us, the more we can do to help, so we strongly encourage you to schedule your initial consultation today.
About Trenton
July 2017 brought a beautiful and historic three-story Victorian Building in Trenton into the HCK fold. Located on the corner of Parkside and West Main Street, in the lovely Berkeley Square section of the city, the office is convenient to the State Buildings and courthouse, has ample parking, and is easy to find from Routes 295 or 29. Public transportation also makes this an attractive location for many of our clients.
This very large office will be a tremendous resource to clients in the Trenton and surrounding community. Anchored by core members of our Criminal Defense and immigration teams, we will also have on-site personal injury/negligence attorneys. Since this office will also feature video conferencing, all of the HCK attorneys in other offices will also be available to our Mercer County clients.
Trenton proper has a long history, dating back to the early 1700s. The site of many historical events, Trenton was the site of George Washington’s first victory in the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Trenton, which occurred on Dec 26, 1776. The city serves as the capital of New Jersey and briefly served as the capital of the United States. Trenton has many venues of historic interest, dating back 300 years. A vigorous historical society works to protect the city’s heritage. The 1719 William Trent House Museum and the Alexander Douglas House are two sites that you may wish to visit. The area where the office is located was established as an early planned suburban community in the early 1900s when such communities were new and unusual.
In addition to its history, Trenton has a number of modern-day attractions. The Trenton Thunder is the farm club for the NY Yankees; a home game offers a wonderful family adventure. The Sun National Bank Center hosts a myriad of concerts and other events. Several museums, including the NJ State Museum with its planetarium and fine art collections, round out opportunities for visitors. We look forward to greeting you in our Trenton office and encourage you to take some time to explore and enjoy the city after your law firm visit.
