Criminal charges in Hackensack can devastate every aspect of your life, from your employment and housing to your family relationships and personal reputation. The decisions you make in the coming days and weeks will determine whether you maintain your freedom or face incarceration, fines, and a permanent criminal record.
At The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our award-winning Hackensack criminal defense lawyers bring the knowledge, resources, and determination needed to defend against any criminal charge filed in Bergen County or throughout New Jersey. If you have been charged with a crime, contact our firm for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney who is ready to help you take your first step toward freedom.
Trusting Our Hackensack, NJ Criminal Defense Firm
Our firm has dedicated over 200 years of combined experience to defending individuals accused of violating the NJ Code of Criminal Justice. We maintain more than 10 offices throughout the state and appear regularly in virtually every local court, giving us familiarity with the judges, prosecutors, and procedures that will impact your case.
Our team of 20 lawyers devotes our entire practice exclusively to criminal defense. We have earned a 4.9 out of 5 rating across more than 310 Google reviews, reflecting the level of service and results we deliver for clients facing the most serious legal challenges of their lives.
Benefits of Working With The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall
Our attorneys have served as former municipal prosecutors in over twenty towns across New Jersey, providing us with invaluable insights into how government agencies build cases and make strategic decisions about charging and plea negotiations. Many people recognize that former prosecutors make the best defense attorneys because they understand prosecution tactics, evidentiary standards, and the internal workings of prosecutors’ offices from years of experience on the other side.
Working with attorneys who have prosecuted thousands of cases provides distinct advantages when defending against criminal charges:
- Anticipating prosecution strategies before they unfold in court.
- Identifying weaknesses in the state’s evidence that others might overlook.
- Recognizing procedural errors and constitutional violations.
- Leveraging professional relationships with prosecutors and judges throughout Bergen County.
- Knowing which defenses work most effectively in specific courtrooms.
- Understanding the actual settlement value of cases based on prosecutorial priorities.
We apply our insider knowledge to every case we handle, developing defense strategies informed by years of experience evaluating cases from the prosecution perspective. Our background allows us to identify opportunities for dismissal, suppression of evidence, and favorable plea agreements that attorneys without prosecution experience might miss entirely.
Our Legal Services
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall defends clients against every type of criminal charge filed in Hackensack Municipal Court, Bergen County Superior Court, and federal court in Newark. Our comprehensive legal services address the full spectrum of criminal offenses, from disorderly persons matters to first-degree felonies carrying decades in state prison. We provide aggressive representation at every stage of the criminal justice process, from arrest through trial and appeals.
Drug Crimes
New Jersey aggressively prosecutes drug offenses, with penalties ranging from fines and probation to lengthy prison sentences depending on the substance, quantity, and circumstances of the alleged offense. Our attorneys defend clients against all drug-related charges filed under N.J.S.A. 2C:35, including the following:
- Possession of controlled dangerous substances
- Distribution and intent to distribute
- Drug paraphernalia
- Prescription fraud
- Drug manufacturing
DWI/DUI
Driving while intoxicated charges carry mandatory license suspensions, fines, insurance surcharges, and potential jail time (even for first offenses), with penalties increasing dramatically for repeat offenses or accidents involving injuries. Our firm has successfully defended hundreds of DWI cases by challenging the evidence and procedures used to establish intoxication:
- DWI: Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, or while impaired by alcohol to a degree that renders you unsafe to drive.
- DUI: Driving under the influence of drugs, whether illegal substances, prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs that impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Violent Crimes
Violent crime charges carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, loss of gun rights, and permanent criminal records that impact employment and housing for the rest of your life. The Hackensack Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office prioritize these cases and seek the maximum penalties against defendants. We defend clients accused of the following violent offenses:
- Aggravated assault
- Simple assault
- Domestic violence
- Terroristic threats
- Harassment and stalking
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
- Homicide and manslaughter
Guns and Weapon Offenses
New Jersey has some of the strictest firearm laws in the country, including mandatory minimum prison terms for many weapons offenses under the Graves Act. Even guns that are legally owned can lead to serious criminal charges if they are carried in restricted places or without the required permits. We defend individuals accused of the following weapons offenses:
- Unlawful possession of weapons
- Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes
- Certain persons are not to possess weapons
- Possession of hollow-point bullets
- Carrying concealed weapons without permits
- Weapons in vehicles
Sex Crimes
Sex crime allegations destroy reputations even before trial, and convictions result in lengthy prison sentences plus lifetime registration under Megan’s Law. The social stigma attached to these charges makes aggressive legal representation absolutely critical. Our attorneys defend against all sex crime charges, including:
- Sexual assault
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Criminal sexual contact
- Endangering the welfare of a child
- Possession and distribution of child pornography
- Lewdness and indecent exposure
Juvenile Defense
Young people charged with delinquency offenses face consequences that can impact their education, college admissions, military service, and future employment opportunities. The juvenile justice system operates differently from the adult court system, with distinct procedures and objectives that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. We represent juveniles charged with:
- Drug offenses
- Theft and shoplifting
- Assault and fighting
- Vandalism and property damage
- Underage drinking and possession
- Weapons violations
Property Crimes
Property crime charges range from disorderly persons offenses to serious felonies, depending on the value of the property involved and the circumstances of the alleged offense. Hackensack experiences property crimes ranging from shoplifting at retail locations to sophisticated burglary operations. We defend clients accused of:
- Burglary: Entering a structure without permission with the intent to commit a crime inside, which becomes aggravated burglary when weapons are involved or when injuries occur.
- Criminal Mischief: Damaging or destroying another person’s property, with charges escalating based on the dollar value of damage caused.
- Criminal Trespass: Entering or remaining on property after being told to leave or knowing that the owner did not permit entry.
- Receiving Stolen Property: Possessing property that you knew or should have known was stolen from its rightful owner.
Federal Crimes
Federal criminal cases carry higher stakes than state prosecutions, involving extensive resources, lengthy investigations, and significantly harsher penalties. The United States Attorney’s Office prosecutes these matters for the District of New Jersey, and they often arise from joint investigations conducted by agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and other federal authorities.
Our firm provides defense representation in federal criminal cases, including:
- Drug Trafficking: Large-scale distribution operations involving multiple states or international borders, which trigger federal jurisdiction and mandatory minimum sentences.
- White Collar Fraud: Wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, healthcare fraud, and other schemes are prosecuted under federal statutes.
- Weapons Trafficking: Interstate commerce in firearms, possession by prohibited persons under federal law, or violations of National Firearms Act requirements.
- Cybercrimes: Computer fraud, identity theft, hacking, and other technology-related offenses are prosecuted under federal computer crime statutes.
White Collar Crimes
White-collar criminal charges are based on allegations of financial wrongdoing committed through fraud or misrepresentation. These cases typically stem from lengthy, detailed investigations that may include forensic accounting, extensive financial records, and cooperating witnesses. We defend professionals and business owners facing allegations of:
- Embezzlement
- Fraud and false pretenses
- Identity theft
- Forgery
- Money laundering
- Tax evasion and fraud
Theft Crimes
Theft offenses range from petty disorderly persons offenses to first-degree felonies, depending on the value of the property allegedly taken. Bergen County prosecutors aggressively pursue theft charges, particularly when they involve employees stealing from employers or repeat offenders. Our attorneys defend against these theft charges:
- Shoplifting and retail theft
- Theft by deception
- Theft of services
- Theft from the employer
- Motor vehicle theft
- Credit card theft and fraud
Consult an Experienced Hackensack NJ Criminal Defense Lawyer Now
Criminal charges demand immediate attention from skilled legal counsel who will protect your constitutional rights and fight for your freedom at every stage of the prosecution. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall provides the aggressive, knowledgeable representation you need when facing charges in Hackensack Municipal Court, Bergen County Superior Court, or federal court in Newark.
Our team of award-winning Hackensack NJ criminal defense lawyers has successfully defended thousands of clients, achieving dismissals, acquittals, and favorable plea agreements in even the most serious cases. We understand how the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office evaluates cases because many of our attorneys served as prosecutors at the municipal and county levels before dedicating their careers to criminal defense.
Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation with a reputable Hackensack NJ criminal defense lawyer who will listen to your circumstances, evaluate the charges against you, and explain how we can fight to protect your rights and preserve your freedom. Your future is on the line. Trust our experienced attorneys to guide you through the criminal justice system and pursue the best possible outcome for your case.
