Best Jersey City Criminal Lawyers

If you are facing criminal charges in Jersey City, having the right legal representation can make an immense difference in the outcome of your case. With so much on the line, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows New Jersey laws and court procedures inside and out. This article provides an overview of top-rated criminal attorneys in Jersey City along with details on key laws and defenses that skilled lawyers leverage to build strong cases for their clients. Whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges, these accomplished Jersey City criminal lawyers have the expertise to guide you through the complex criminal justice process and advocate for the most favorable resolution possible.

Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Attorney

The stakes are high when facing criminal prosecution. Even a misdemeanor conviction can result in jail time, steep fines, probation, a permanent criminal record, and other consequences that could follow you for years. Felony convictions carry even greater risks like lengthy prison sentences.

Having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side can help mitigate these risks. The complexity of criminal law and procedures in New Jersey make navigating the justice system very difficult without legal guidance. A knowledgeable attorney will handle every aspect of building your defense including:

• Analyzing the prosecution’s claims and evidence
• Identifying weaknesses in their case
• Raising constitutional rights violations
• Negotiating with prosecutors for plea deals
• Presenting persuasive arguments in pre-trial motions and hearings
• Calling witnesses and examining evidence at trial
• Ensuring proper procedures are followed

In addition, a local Jersey City criminal lawyer will have familiarity with local judges, prosecutors, and court processes that can be leveraged for your benefit. Their skills and experience with New Jersey criminal statutes could make the difference between a favorable or unfavorable outcome in your case.

How to Choose the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Jersey City

With your future hanging in the balance, it is critical to do thorough research before choosing a criminal defense lawyer in Jersey City. Key factors to evaluate include:

• Specialization in criminal law – Seek out lawyers who focus exclusively on criminal defense rather than covering many areas. Check that they handle criminal matters full-time.
• Experience with your charges – Find lawyers intimately familiar with defending the specific crimes you’ve been accused of. Their insight will prove invaluable.
• Courtroom litigation experience – Prioritize lawyers who have extensive firsthand experience arguing and trying criminal cases in New Jersey courts. They will know the procedures and players inside out.
• Resources – The top attorneys will have teams including skilled legal assistants, investigators, paralegals, and forensic experts who can build the strongest case for you.
• Track record of positive outcomes – Look beyond charisma and promises – the most meaningful indicator is a lawyer’s history of achieving not guilty verdicts and favorable plea deals for clients facing serious criminal allegations.
• Reputation with peers – Check credentials like certification from the New Jersey Bar Association in criminal trial law or criminal law. Peer reviews also provide insight into the quality of representation a lawyer provides.
• Client relationships – The right lawyer for you will make you feel comfortable, address all your concerns, and communicate clearly at every phase. Look for responsiveness and compassion.

Using these criteria thoroughly to research and evaluate criminal lawyers can help you make the best choice for your needs and budget.

Top Criminal Defense Attorneys in Jersey City

Here are some of the most highly regarded and successful criminal defense lawyers practicing in Jersey City and the surrounding metro area:

David Hernandez – Hernandez Criminal Defense

With over 25 years of criminal law experience in New Jersey, David Hernandez is known as a passionate, aggressive advocate for his clients facing serious felony charges. He has successfully defended clients against accusations ranging from drug trafficking and weapons offenses to white collar crimes.

Hernandez is highly regarded for his negotiation skills and ability to get charges reduced pre-trial. He thoroughly investigates each case to identify weaknesses and constitutional violations. If cases do go to trial, Hernandez is an adept litigator who destroys prosecution arguments.

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Sandra Liu – Liu Defense Group

Sandra Liu is a seasoned New Jersey trial lawyer with over 16 years of criminal defense experience. Skilled at identifying winning legal arguments, she has successfully defended clients charged with assault, domestic violence, sex crimes, manslaughter, robbery, and other violent offenses.

Liu is known for her meticulous case preparation, in-depth knowledge of criminal forensic evidence, pointed cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, and compassion for clients. Many praise her ability to secure not guilty verdicts at trial for clients facing decades in prison.

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Thomas Solomon – The Solomon Law Firm

Thomas Solomon is a prominent Jersey City criminal defense lawyer respected for his mastery of trial advocacy and negotiations with prosecutors. For over 20 years, he has successfully defended alleged murderers, sex offenders, gang members, white collar criminals, and public officials charged with corruption.

Solomon wins cases by exploiting tiny procedural missteps and technicalities while dismantling the prosecutor’s witnesses and evidence. He has secured many high-profile acquittals and favorable pleas for clients facing serious felony counts and years behind bars.

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Angela Foster – Foster & Bell Law Group

Angela Foster is an acclaimed Jersey City criminal defense attorney with extensive experience representing both juveniles and adults. She is known for her diligent investigation of cases, identifying every avenue from pre-trial motions to trial strategies to win dismissal or acquittal for clients.

Foster is highly successful at negotiating with prosecutors to garner favorable pleas and sentence reductions. She has also won numerous “not guilty” verdicts in serious felony jury trials throughout her 18 years of criminal litigation experience. Foster is respected for her tenacity and compassion.

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Victor Wang – Wang Litigation Firm

Victor Wang is a skilled criminal trial lawyer known for his relentless advocacy for clients facing everything from DUI and drug possession charges to far more serious violent felony counts.

Wang has successfully defended alleged murderers, sex offenders, and gang members by poking holes in the prosecution’s narratives and exposing shoddy police investigative practices. He has an impressive track record of hung juries and not guilty verdicts for clients, even in very high-profile cases. Wang is praised for his thoroughness and creative legal strategies.

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Key New Jersey Criminal Laws and Penalties

To build the strongest defense, your criminal attorney needs extensive knowledge of the specific charges you face and the relevant New Jersey statutes. Here is an overview of some common criminal allegations and associated penalties:

Drug Crimes

Like most states, New Jersey imposes strict penalties for the possession, distribution, trafficking or manufacture of illegal drugs, ranging from felony jail time to life sentences depending on the substance and quantity. For example:

• 2C:35-5 – Manufacturing, distributing or dispensing CDS
• 2C:35-7 – Distribution, possession, manufacture of CDS in a school zone
• 2C:35-10 – Possession, use, being under influence, failure to make lawful disposition

Full list of NJ drug crime statutes

Theft and Property Crimes

Theft charges in New Jersey range from misdemeanor shoplifting to serious felony robbery, burglary, and embezzlement charges. Charges and penalties vary based on the value of property stolen.

• 2C:20-2 – Theft by unlawful taking; theft by deception
• 2C:20-3 – Theft by unlawful taking; theft by deception; shoplifting
• 2C:20-4 – Theft by extortion
• 2C:20-10 – Consolidation of theft offenses

Full list of NJ theft and property crimes

DUI/DWI

In New Jersey, penalties for drunk driving ramp up with each subsequent offense, potentially progressing from fines and license suspension to felony charges and state prison time.

• 39:4-50 – Driving while intoxicated
• 39:4-50.2 – Refusal to submit to chemical test; penalties
• 39:4-50.4a – Guilty of driving while intoxicated; additional penalties

Full list of New Jersey DUI laws and penalties

Sex Crimes

New Jersey laws cover a wide array of sex crimes ranging from lewd behavior and statutory rape to aggravated sexual assault. Charges range from 4th to 1st degree felonies based on the nature of the offense.

• 2C:14-2 – Sexual assault
• 2C:14-3 – Aggravated criminal sexual contact; criminal sexual contact
• 2C:24-4 – Endangering welfare of children

Full list of NJ sex crime laws

Assault and Violent Crimes

New Jersey statutes classify assaults from simple assault to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon based on severity. Murder, manslaughter, and kidnapping charges carry lengthy, severe penalties.

• 2C:12-1 – Assault
• 2C:12-3 – Terroristic threats
• 2C:11-3 – Murder
• 2C:11-4 – Manslaughter
• 2C:13-1 – Kidnapping

Overview of NJ violent crime statutes

Having a firm grasp of the relevant charges and penalties will allow your defense attorney to build the strongest case possible under New Jersey law.

Why You Need an Aggressive Criminal Defense

Given the complexity of criminal statutes and procedures, combined with the devastating penalties of conviction, building an aggressive and iron-clad legal defense is crucial when facing prosecution in New Jersey. An experienced criminal lawyer will advocate for you by:

• Thoroughly investigating the charges – Analyzing all evidence, interviews, and claims by prosecutors to identify any constitutional violations, procedural missteps, or overreach. This can provide grounds for getting charges reduced or dismissed pre-trial.
• Identifying defenses – Based on the specifics of your case, your lawyer will determine defense strategies under New Jersey law to counter the allegations, such as self-defense, lack of criminal intent, mistaken identity, or arguing the applicability of certain statues.
• Negotiating with prosecutors – Drawing on their experience and understanding of your case’s weaknesses, skilled lawyers will negotiate aggressively with prosecutors to garner a favorable plea bargain or convince them to drop charges where possible.
• Developing case strategy – Your attorney will handle every facet of strategy: filing motions to exclude prejudicial evidence illegally obtained, preparing witnesses, crafting arguments, and planning how to disprove the prosecutor’s version of events.
• Examining forensic evidence – Analyzing crime scene data, blood evidence, electronic records and other forensic evidence helps skilled defense lawyers undermine the prosecution’s arguments.
• Advocating at sentencing – If found guilty at trial, your lawyer will advocate strenuously for the most lenient sentence possible under New Jersey law. This can significantly reduce probation terms and time behind bars.

Retaining an experienced criminal attorney to leverage their expertise at every phase provides the greatest chance of a favorable outcome – avoiding a devastating criminal conviction.

Conclusion

The criminal defense lawyer you choose to represent you in Jersey City can make or break your case. Take time to thoroughly research and evaluate local attorneys based on experience, litigation skills, knowledge of New Jersey criminal law, resources, past results, and overall responsiveness to your needs. This decision is too important to take lightly. The lawyer you hire will vigorously defend your rights, freedom and future. With so much at stake, having the absolute best legal representation is paramount.