Time matters in criminal defense cases. The fallout from an arrest or criminal charge can be significantly reduced when an attorney files a Notice of Appearance immediately on your behalf. Department of Labor concerns, security clearance issues, professional licensing complications, and No Contact Orders can all be addressed before your first court appearance.
If you face criminal accusations, do not wait to schedule a free consultation about the specific circumstances of your situation. Contact The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall today to have an experienced Westwood, NJ, criminal defense lawyer review your case and begin constructing your defense strategy.
Our team takes immediate action the moment you retain us. We speak with clients in the evenings and on weekends because criminal matters do not follow business hours. When you need us, we answer.
Why Clients Trust The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall
Our firm has more than 200 years of collective legal experience. With 20 skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorneys on staff, we operate the largest criminal defense practice in the state, focused exclusively on this area of law.
As a major statewide firm, we have the extensive resources and professional connections to conduct thorough investigations and aggressively advocate for your rights at every stage. Our lawyers regularly secure case dismissals and negotiate plea agreements that result in reduced charges and alternative sentencing options for our clients.
Insider Knowledge of Prosecution Strategies
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall employs attorneys who practice in courts throughout New Jersey and bring valuable experience from the other side of criminal proceedings. Several members of our team previously served as county prosecutors and municipal prosecutors for large towns in Essex County. That background provides our clients with insight into how prosecutors build cases, assess evidence, and make charging decisions.
Certified Trial Lawyers
Our attorneys regularly appear in the Bergen County Superior Court and Westwood Municipal Court. We understand how local prosecutors and judges handle cases. We also defend clients in nearby communities, including Park Ridge, Hillsdale, Washington Township, Emerson, and River Vale, where similar enforcement patterns and court procedures apply.
Courtroom readiness defines our approach to every case. Our firm maintains certified criminal trial lawyers on staff who bring decades of experience presenting cases to juries and securing verdicts. That trial capability translates directly into enhanced negotiation power because prosecutors know we will take a case to trial when necessary.
Our attorneys have obtained acquittals and not-guilty verdicts in cases where clients faced serious charges and substantial prison time, as reflected in our case results. We take pride in our 4.9 out of 5 rating across more than 395 Google reviews from satisfied clients.
The Importance of Early Legal Representation
Contacting us early often allows cases to be resolved with minimal disruption. In pre-arrest situations, our lawyers may persuade prosecutors to decline charges, though results are not guaranteed.
Once proceedings begin, halting their momentum is much harder. Even with constitutional protections, the system imposes significant challenges, including release conditions, fines, restitution, probation, and other sanctions. Our goal is to guide you through the process while minimizing negative consequences.
If law enforcement has contacted you but no charges have been filed, this window represents the most valuable time for attorney involvement. Do not let this opportunity pass while hoping for the best outcome. If charges already exist, contacting a lawyer remains vital. Every passing week can affect how your case ultimately resolves. We work to prevent convictions while also reducing the immediate stress and consequences that criminal accusations create.
Guiding You Through the Criminal Defense Process
Many criminal offenses carry real possibilities of incarceration, and some require mandatory jail sentences under New Jersey law. Early attorney involvement can reduce or eliminate your chances of spending time behind bars.
We recognize that every client maintains a life beyond their legal problems. Most want nothing more than for the anxiety to end so they can return to normalcy. Our firm has successfully guided thousands of individuals through criminal proceedings, helping them move from despair to a clear path forward.
We care deeply about your case outcome. Your case is personal to us, not just another file in the queue. We build genuine relationships with each client to better present your theory and defenses to prosecutors and the court.
Investigation and Arrest
Criminal cases in New Jersey typically begin when police investigate suspected illegal activity. Officers gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a case before making an arrest. An attorney can intervene during the investigation phase to protect your interests and potentially prevent formal charges. During this stage, your constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments become critically important:
- Miranda warnings
- Search and seizure protections
- Right to remain silent
- Right to counsel
- Protection against self-incrimination
Charges and Arraignment
After an arrest, prosecutors review the evidence and file formal charges. At arraignment, you appear before a judge to hear the charges, enter a plea, and have bail or release conditions set. Having an experienced Westwood, NJ, criminal defense lawyer at this stage ensures proper handling of the proceedings and starts building your defense.
Pre-Trial Proceedings
The time between arraignment and trial is a critical period that can shape the outcome of a case. We use this period aggressively to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and develop compelling defense strategies. During this phase, our defense attorneys handle:
- Discovery requests and review
- Motions to suppress evidence
- Motions to dismiss charges
- Plea negotiations
- Witness interviews
- Expert retention
Grand Jury (Indictable Crimes)
For indictable offenses in New Jersey, prosecutors present evidence to a grand jury, which determines whether formal charges will be issued. Although our defense attorneys cannot be present, they counsel clients who may testify and prepare for potential outcomes if an indictment is returned.
Trial
When cases proceed to trial, defendants exercise their constitutional right to have the charges against them proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We prepare thoroughly for trial, regardless of whether we expect a negotiated resolution, ensuring we are ready to fight for acquittal when necessary. Trial proceedings follow established procedures designed to ensure fairness:
- Selection of the jury
- Opening statements by both sides
- Presentation of the prosecution’s case
- Presentation of the defense’s case
- Closing arguments
- Jury instructions and deliberation
Sentencing
Following a conviction, whether through trial or plea, judges determine sentences based on legal guidelines and case-specific factors. Defense attorneys aim to reduce or modify these sentences by presenting mitigating evidence and advocating for alternatives to incarceration, considering the defendant’s prior record, the seriousness of the offense, victim impact, and individual circumstances.
Post-Conviction Processes and Relief
Criminal proceedings can continue after sentencing. Post-conviction relief may restore rights, reduce collateral consequences, and help individuals move forward. Several remedies exist to challenge convictions or lessen their long-term impact:
- Direct appeals
- Post-conviction relief petitions
- Expungement applications
- Sentence modification requests
- Parole and probation matters
Criminal Cases Our Westwood, NJ Criminal Defense Lawyer Team Handles
Our firm defends clients against the full range of criminal charges prosecuted in New Jersey courts. From minor infractions to serious felonies, we bring substantial experience to every matter:
- Assault and violent crimes
- Theft and property crimes
- White-collar offenses
- Domestic violence
- DUI and drunk driving
- Drug possession and distribution
- Weapons charges
- Sex crimes
- Juvenile offenses
- Federal crimes
New Jersey Criminal Penalties
New Jersey classifies serious criminal offenses as indictable crimes rather than using the term felonies common in other states. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:1-6, most indictable offenses must be charged within five years, while disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanors) generally require prosecution within one year.
Disorderly Persons
Disorderly persons offenses are misdemeanor-level crimes in New Jersey, punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and fines up to $1,000. These charges are heard in municipal court rather than the Superior Court.
Petty Disorderly Persons
Petty disorderly persons offenses carry lighter penalties than standard disorderly persons charges, with maximum punishment of 30 days in jail and fines up to $500. Municipal courts also handle these matters.
First-Degree
First-degree indictable crimes are the most serious offenses under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6, carrying prison sentences of 10 to 20 years and fines up to $200,000. Murder, aggravated sexual assault, and kidnapping fall into this category.
Second-Degree
Second-degree crimes carry prison terms of 5 to 10 years and fines of up to $150,000. Offenses at this level include aggravated assault, certain drug distribution charges, and burglary.
Third-Degree
Third-degree indictable offenses carry sentences of three to five years in prison, along with fines up to $15,000. Many theft crimes, drug possession charges, and assault offenses fall within this classification.
Fourth-Degree
Fourth-degree crimes are the least serious indictable offenses, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and fines up to $10,000. Stalking, criminal mischief, and certain forgery charges commonly fall into this category.
Speak to a Reputable Westwood, NJ, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Are criminal charges threatening your freedom, career, and family? Delaying legal representation can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Contact The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall for a free consultation with a Westwood, NJ, criminal defense lawyer now to determine the best path forward for a favorable outcome.
