In most criminal cases, a defendant’s guilty plea ends the case. But occasionally, information comes to light indicating that a guilty plea was a mistake. Neither the court nor certainly the defendant wants an unjust verdict and sentence to go forward, but what can be done? How can you appeal…
After being charged with committing a crime in New Jersey, a defendant may avoid punishment if they can show that they were forced to act illegally through coercion or threats of harm. New Jersey’s criminal code recognizes the affirmative defense of duress in criminal cases. While the burden of proof in a…
When someone interferes with another person’s liberty or takes or confines them to commit a crime against or with them, the offender may face charges of false imprisonment or kidnapping. By understanding the differences between kidnapping vs. false imprisonment, you can better prepare and pursue a defense strategy for a…
After a defendant pleads guilty or is convicted of a criminal offense in New Jersey, the judge must consider various factors to determine a punishment. Potential criminal sentences in New Jersey range from a fine, probation, or community service to life in prison. New Jersey criminal sentencing guidelines provide a framework for…
New Jersey’s “lewdness” law makes it a criminal offense to do anything flagrantly lewd or offensive knowing or reasonably expecting that someone may see it and be offended, such as exposing your intimate body parts to another person without consent. This means a person could be arrested and charged for…
