Somerset County Criminal Defense Attorneys

Common Types of Criminal Cases We Handle

At Keith Oliver Criminal Law, our attorneys have the knowledge and skills to tackle many different kinds of criminal cases. Some of the more common cases we handle at our Somerset County criminal defense firm include:

• Assault and threat crimes – Assault is the crime of causing someone harm or verbally threatening to cause them harm, either with a weapon or without. This is one of the most common types of violent crimes we see at our firm. While assault can be charged as a disorderly persons offense (New Jersey’s equivalent of a misdemeanor), it’s usually charged as a felony and can carry a hefty jail sentence.
• Domestic violence – New Jersey’s domestic violence laws cover a wide range of offenses against a spouse, romantic partner, child, roommate, or anyone else who lives with you in your household. These crimes include making threats of bodily harm, acts of violence (with or without a weapon), harassment, stalking, kidnapping, and more. Some acts of domestic violence can be considered disorderly persons offenses, but more often, they’re charged as felonies. In addition to prison and fines, potential penalties for domestic violence offenses include losing custody of your children and being forced to surrender any firearms you possess.
• Drug offenses – Possessing illegal drugs in New Jersey can be a serious offense, depending on the drug and the amount in question. If you’re accused of trafficking or manufacturing illegal drugs, you could face even more severe penalties. In some cases, possessing materials used in the manufacturing, packaging, or selling of illegal drugs leads to significant penalties, even if you did not use or possess the drugs themselves.
• Weapons offenses – New Jersey has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States. There are tight regulations regarding who can buy guns, and firearms must be properly registered if you wish to carry them in public. Illegally possessing a gun or not obtaining the proper permits is a crime, and the penalties for most crimes escalate considerably if they’re committed using a gun. You can even be charged with a crime simply for bringing a gun into the state without storing it properly, even if you obtained the gun legally.
• Sex crimes – Sex crimes can include a wide range of offenses. We defend clients against charges of sexual assault, unwanted sexual contact that does not involve penetration, sexual abuse of a minor or the elderly, sexual harassment, and statutory rape. Sex crimes carry some of the harshest penalties under New Jersey law, and you could be forced to register as a sexual offender if you’re convicted. Other penalties include substantial prison sentences and hefty fines.
• Theft and fraud charges – New Jersey’s anti-theft laws cover many different offenses. These include simple theft, robbery (taking someone’s property off their person), burglary (breaking into someone’s property without permission), and embezzlement. A related offense is fraud, which is basically the crime of using deception or other illegal means to steal money from a business or other institution, such as an insurance company.
• Juvenile crimes – State officials recognize that criminal offenders who are not legal adults should be treated differently in many cases, and the penalties for juvenile offenses are generally less severe than what adults would face for the same crime. That said, juveniles can be charged as adults in certain circumstances, so it’s still important to take juvenile criminal charges seriously.
• DWI/DUI charges – Driving while impaired or under the influence is a major offense that could lead to the loss of your driving privileges, large fines, and jail time. You may be able to have a first-time DUI dismissed by completing a pre-trial intervention program, but repeat offenses will lead to more severe penalties. If you injure or kill someone with your car while impaired, you could be charged with assault by auto or death by auto, both of which carry severe penalties.
• Traffic violations – Speeding, reckless driving, running a red light, failing to yield the right-of-way, and other traffic violations may seem minor, but they can carry significant penalties depending on the circumstances. Repeat offenses lead to heavy fines and the suspension or revocation of your driving privileges.
• Expungements – Our firm also works with people who want to have a criminal conviction wiped from their record. Having a felony on your record has many adverse effects, from limiting your job prospects to blocking your access to credit for a new home or vehicle. New Jersey has procedures in place to let some offenders have criminal convictions expunged, but the requirements are strict and complicated. A Somerset County criminal defense lawyer from our firm can guide you through the process and help you fight for the clean slate you deserve.