NJ Certain Person in Possession of a Firearm or Weapon Lawyers

NJ Certain Person in Possession of a Firearm or Weapon Lawyers

Hey there! If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for help with a weapons or firearms case in New Jersey. I totally get it — NJ has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, and it can be really confusing trying to navigate them. Especially if you’ve been charged with unlawful possession or something similar. Don’t worry though, I’m here to help explain things in a simple way and point you towards some great lawyers who can really fight for your rights.

First off, let’s talk about what “certain person not to possess weapons” actually means in NJ. Basically, there are certain categories of people who are prohibited from owning firearms here. That includes:

• Convicted felons
• People convicted of certain drug offenses
• Those found mentally incompetent
• People subject to restraining orders

So if you fall into one of those categories, it’s illegal for you to purchase, own, possess, or control any firearm in NJ. The offense can be charged as either a second or third degree crime, depending on the circumstances. And it comes with some pretty hefty penalties if convicted — we’re talking years in prison and thousands in fines. Yikes!

But here’s the thing — just because you’re prohibited doesn’t necessarily mean you’re guilty. There are a lot of technicalities and defenses that a knowledgeable NJ gun lawyer can use to get charges reduced or even dismissed. Let’s talk about a few of them…

Lack of Knowledge

One big defense is that you simply didn’t know you were prohibited from having a gun. For example, maybe your felony conviction was decades ago and you mistakenly thought your rights were restored. Or perhaps you had a really old restraining order that you honestly forgot about. If your lawyer can show the court that you weren’t aware you were breaking the law, they may agree to drop or lower the charges.

Temporary Possession

Another common defense is called “temporary possession.” Basically if you only possessed the weapon briefly in order to dispose of it or turn it over to police, you may not be guilty of the offense. There are specific rules about how this defense works, so make sure to discuss the details with your attorney.

Self-Defense

In some cases, it may be legal for a prohibited person to possess a firearm for self-defense purposes. This is a tricky area of the law though, so you’ll definitely need an experienced NJ gun lawyer to argue this properly. They’ll look at the specific circumstances and make the case that you only armed yourself out of an urgent need for self-protection.

As you can see, the laws surrounding unlawful possession charges are complex, but the right attorney can really make a difference. I highly recommend checking out some of these top-rated gun lawyers serving NJ:

• Evan Nappen – Called the “Best Gun Lawyer in New Jersey.” Over 30 years experience fighting weapons charges.
• Roberts & Teeter – Strong record defending clients against NJ gun violations.
• John B. Brennan – Former prosecutor focusing on firearms cases for over 30 years.
• Hoffman DiMuzio – Group of talented trial lawyers handling weapons cases.
• Allan Marain – Well-respected gun lawyer with decades of experience.
• Charles Centinaro – Proven record defending gun possession charges.

The lawyers above all offer free consultations, so I’d recommend reaching out to a few of them to discuss your specific case. Be honest about what happened and any past convictions you may have. They’ll let you know your options and the best legal strategies to pursue. With the right attorney on your side, you have a fighting chance of avoiding severe penalties.

I know this is an incredibly stressful situation to be in. Gun charges in NJ are no joke and can disrupt your life in so many ways. But please don’t lose hope! Take a deep breath and focus on finding the best legal representation. There are defenses and arguments to be made on your behalf. And you always have rights, no matter what mistakes you may have made in the past. So hang in there — and let me know if you have any other questions! Wishing you the very best.