Mercer County Criminal Defense Attorney

By Keith G. Oliver, Keith Oliver Criminal Law | Updated November 2026

Have you been arrested or charged with a crime in Mercer County? Although you are presumed innocent, it can feel like the whole system is working against you. A Mercer County criminal defense lawyer who knows the local courts, prosecutors and procedures can level the playing field and fight for the best possible result, whether that is a dismissal, a downgrade, a diversion program or an acquittal at trial.

Keith Oliver Criminal Law defends people charged with crimes in all 12 Mercer County municipalities, from Trenton and Hamilton to Princeton, Ewing, Lawrence and the Windsors. Our Mercer County office is at 100 Horizon Center Boulevard in Hamilton, minutes from the courthouses in Trenton. Call (609) 789-0779 24 hours a day for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Local Experience Matters in Mercer County

Mercer County is home to the state capital, so Trenton is both the county seat and the center of the state’s criminal justice system. The county’s 12 municipalities range from cities and large suburbs to small boroughs, and the towns have their own police departments and municipal court practices. Major highways such as Route 1, Interstate 295, Interstate 95, Route 29 and the New Jersey Turnpike bring a steady stream of DWI, drug and weapons stops, and the Delaware River bridges to Pennsylvania lead to frequent arrests of out-of-state drivers who do not know New Jersey’s strict gun and drug laws.

The county is also home to Princeton University, The College of New Jersey in Ewing, Rider University in Lawrenceville and Mercer County Community College in West Windsor. Students face charges ranging from underage drinking and fake IDs to assault and drug distribution, often with campus discipline on top of the criminal case.

Knowing how the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office handles plea offers, how each municipal court runs its calendar and which diversion options are realistic for a given charge can change the outcome of a case. That local knowledge is what we bring to every client.

Which Court Will Hear My Case?

New Jersey criminal cases are heard in different courts depending on the charge. Tap each court below to see what it handles and where it sits.

How a Criminal Case Moves Through Mercer County

1. Arrest or summons. Police file a complaint-summons, which lets you go home with a court date, or a complaint-warrant, which means you are held. If there is a warrant out for you, our guide to Mercer County warrants explains how to clear it.
2. Jail and first appearance. People who are held go to the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell Township. A judge reviews release conditions at the first appearance, usually within 48 hours.
3. Detention hearing. If the prosecutor asks to keep you in jail until trial, a detention hearing is usually held within about three business days. This hearing is often the most important early moment in a serious case.
4. Prosecutor review. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office decides whether to present the case to a grand jury, send it back to municipal court as a lesser offense, or approve diversion.
5. Grand jury and indictment. Indictable crimes go to a grand jury. For people held in jail, the State generally must obtain an indictment within 90 days.
6. Pretrial, plea and trial. Your lawyer reviews discovery, files motions to suppress evidence or dismiss, and negotiates. If the case does not resolve, it goes to trial at the Criminal Courthouse. Our Mercer County courthouse guide explains what to expect on your court date.

Criminal Charges We Defend in Mercer County

We handle every type of criminal charge, from first-time municipal court offenses to serious indictable crimes. Choose a practice area to learn about the charge, the penalties and the defenses that may apply.

What Is at Stake: New Jersey Offense Grades

New Jersey grades crimes by degree instead of using the words “felony” and “misdemeanor.” The grade sets the maximum prison term, the maximum fine and the court that hears the case. Tap any grade to see fines, the court and common examples. Bars show the maximum prison or jail term.

Beyond prison and fines, a conviction can bring probation, loss of your driver’s license, immigration consequences, loss of firearm rights and a permanent record that shows up on background checks. The Graves Act also sets mandatory minimum prison terms for many gun crimes.

Ways to Avoid a Conviction

A criminal charge does not have to become a criminal record. Depending on the charge and your history, these options may be available:

• Pretrial Intervention (PTI). A diversion program in Superior Court. If you complete a period of supervision, the charges are dismissed.
• Conditional discharge and conditional dismissal. Municipal court programs for first-time drug and other disorderly persons offenses that also end in a dismissal.
• Downgrades. Many indictable charges can be downgraded and sent back to municipal court, where the penalties are far lower.
• Motions to suppress. Evidence from an illegal stop, search or interrogation can be thrown out, which often ends the case.
• Recovery Court. A supervised treatment program for eligible defendants whose charges are driven by addiction.
• Expungement. If you already have a record, you may be able to clear it.

Mercer County Towns We Serve

Every criminal case in Mercer County begins in one of two places: the municipal court in the town where the charge was filed, or the Superior Court, Criminal Division, at the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse in Trenton. Choose your town below for information on its municipal court and the charges we defend there most often.

Why Clients Choose Keith Oliver Criminal Law

• Experienced criminal defense lawyers. We defend people charged with crimes and offenses in municipal, Superior and federal court across New Jersey.
• A local office. Our Hamilton office puts us minutes from the Trenton courthouses and every municipal court in the county.
• Available 24/7. Arrests do not happen on a schedule. You can reach us any time at (609) 789-0779.
• Led by Keith G. Oliver. Learn more about Keith Oliver, our firm and our case results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer for a municipal court charge in Mercer County?

Yes, in most cases. Disorderly persons offenses carry up to 6 months in jail, and a DWI or drug conviction can cost you your license. A conviction also creates a criminal record. A lawyer can often negotiate a downgrade, a conditional dismissal or an outright dismissal.

Where is the Mercer County criminal courthouse?

Indictable cases are heard at the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse, 400 South Warren Street, Trenton. Juvenile and domestic violence matters are heard at the Civil Courthouse, 175 South Broad Street. Municipal court cases are heard in the town where the charge was filed.

Where do people go after an arrest in Mercer County?

People held after an arrest are usually taken to the Mercer County Correction Center on Route 29 in Hopewell Township, not to a jail in Trenton. A judge reviews release conditions at the first appearance, usually within 48 hours.

Can I avoid a criminal record if this is my first offense?

Often, yes. First-time defendants may qualify for Pretrial Intervention in Superior Court, or a conditional discharge or conditional dismissal in municipal court. Each program ends in a dismissal if you complete it.

How long does a criminal case take in Mercer County?

A municipal court case can be resolved in a few weeks to a few months. Indictable cases often take months or longer. If you are held in jail, the Criminal Justice Reform Act generally requires an indictment within 90 days and a trial within 180 days after indictment, not counting delays caused by the defense.

Do you charge for a consultation?

No. Consultations are free and confidential. Call (609) 789-0779 any time, day or night.

Talk With a Mercer County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

The earlier you call, the more we can do, from arguing for your release at the first appearance to stopping a case before it reaches a grand jury. Call Keith Oliver Criminal Law at (609) 789-0779 or visit our office at 100 Horizon Center Boulevard, Hamilton, NJ 08691, for a free, confidential consultation.