Monmouth Lawyer

A criminal charge can negatively impact almost every aspect of your life. Having a criminal record can make it harder for you to find a job, housing, and can exclude you from educational programs and certain government benefits.

Not only can a criminal charge be intimidating, but it can also be confusing, and you may certainly have a lot of questions.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a criminal offense, an experienced and dedicated Monmouth criminal lawyer can help explain the charges against you, explain the judicial process, and may be able to help have your charges lowered or even dismissed.

If you or someone you know has been arrested or charged with a crime in Monmouth or the surrounding areas, contact a New Jersey personal injury attorney immediately.

Types of Criminal Charges

Anytime a person is charged with a crime, they face the risk of being sentenced to prison, and they can be ordered to pay exceedingly high fines.

Any person charged with a crime has certain rights granted to them by both the United States and the New Jersey Constitution, and an experienced criminal attorney in Monmouth can ensure that a person’s rights and freedoms are protected.

A Monmouth criminal lawyer can help with a wide range of criminal cases including:

• Assault and Battery
• Aggravated Assault
• Burglary
• Child Abuse
• Domestic Violence
• DWI and Traffic Violations
• Drug Crimes
• Fraud
• Embezzlement
• Expungement
• Forgery
• Identity Theft
• Mortgage Fraud
• Juvenile Offenses
• Trespass
• Robbery
• Sex Crimes
• Simple Assault
• Shoplifting
• Underage Drinking
• Vandalism

Fines and Penalties

The first question a person usually asks when they have been charged with a crime is whether they are going to jail. However, not every criminal charge results in a prison sentence, and furthermore, a Monmouth criminal lawyer may be able to help a person avoid a prison sentence through plea bargaining or through proving innocence.

However, for those who have been charged with a crime, it is important to understand the potential penalties.

New Jersey defines crimes differently than many other states. Misdemeanors or low-level crimes are referred to as either disorderly persons offenses or petty disorderly persons offenses.

More serious crimes, which most people know as felonies, are referred to as indictable crimes, which are further broken down into degrees.

A person who has been charged with a crime in Monmouth County may face the following maximum penalties:

• First-degree crimes including rape, murder, and manslaughter can be punished by a fine of up to $200,000 and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
• Second-degree crimes, which include burglary, white-collar crimes, and many drug crimes can be punished by a fine of up to $150,000 and a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
• Third-degree crimes, which can include the frequently charged DUI offenses, robbery offenses, and numerous drug offenses can be punished by a fine of up to $15,000 and a prison sentence of up to 5 years.
• Fourth-degree crimes, such as shoplifting, and certain property theft crimes can be punished by a fine of up to $10,000 and a maximum prison sentence of 18 months.
• Disorderly Persons offenses, such as simple assault and disorderly conduct can be punished by a fine of up to $1,000 and a prison sentence of six months.
• Petty Disorderly persons consist of the lowest criminal offenses can be punished by a fine of up to $500, and a prison sentence of up to 30 days.

In addition to these fines and prison sentence, a person who is convicted of even a petty disorderly persons offense can be sentenced to probation, be ordered to engage in community service, and importantly they will have a criminal record. To defend against such penalties, an individual should not hesitate before contacting a criminal lawyer in Monmouth as soon as possible.

Contact an Attorney

Being accused of or convicted of a crime can have a serious impact on your life. Even minor disorderly persons offenses can negatively affect your job, family, and your future.

A knowledgeable, experienced, and compassionate Monmouth criminal lawyer can help you from the moment you are charged or arrested.

An attorney can review police records, gather and collect evidence, consult with experts, and ultimately build a solid defense for anyone who has been charged with a crime. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime or arrested, contact a Monmouth criminal lawyer immediately.

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