Getting charged with a crime is not something anyone wants to experience. Even if you know you are innocent, you may worry about the potential consequences of a conviction, which may include fines, prison time, and the removal of some of your rights. That is to say nothing of the potential far-reaching ramifications of criminal convictions, which may make it difficult to buy a house, get a loan, or work in certain jobs.
When the stakes are this high, you need the best legal representation you can get. Our attorneys have handled countless criminal cases, so we know how the game is played and have the professionalism, passion, and determination to effectively represent you in a court of law.
For a free and confidential case analysis from our criminal defense attorneys, contact the Law Offices of John J. Zarych by calling (609) 616-4956.
Criminal Cases We Can Help with in Turnersville
“Criminal law” encompasses a wide range of cases because many different things are criminalized. A criminal defense attorney may have to defend someone against a DUI charge one day and then pivot to another client’s murder trial the next. This is especially true of public defenders. However, our criminal defense lawyers will make sure that your case gets all the care and attention it needs and deserves, regardless of the charges against you.
Murder and Manslaughter
The taking of another person’s life is an incredibly serious crime in most jurisdictions. Homicide is generally broken down into a couple of different crimes to cover killings under different circumstances. The most serious of these crimes are murder and manslaughter.
Murder
Murder is defined in N.J.S.A. § 2C:11-3 and constitutes the purposeful ow knowing killing of another human being. A “purposeful” killing is one that is intended to happen. That is to say – the perpetrator intended to kill someone. For example, the perpetrator stalks a co-worker for a week, observes their routine, and then waits until they are asleep, breaks into their house, and kills them; that is a purposeful killing. A killing done knowingly does not necessarily have the same intent, but a reasonable person would know that death would result. For example, shooting someone with the intent to wound them but ending up killing them would be a killing done knowingly.
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a different, “less serious” crime than murder. Manslaughter is defined in N.J.S.A. § 2C:11-4 as “recklessly” causing another person’s death. Acting recklessly is itself defined under N.J.S.A. § 2C:2-2(b)(3) as “consciously disregarding” real risks that something bad will result from their conduct. Here, the “bad thing” is that someone dies. For example, if the perpetrator gets into a fight with someone and, during that fight, picks up a metal bar, strikes the victim in the head with it, and kills them, it would likely be manslaughter.
Additionally, it is manslaughter if a killing that would qualify as murder is committed with “reasonable provocation.” The traditional example of “reasonable provocation” involves one spouse discovering that the other is unfaithful and immediately killing the other spouse in their rage. In New Jersey, the jury will ultimately need to decide whether a defendant acted with reasonable provocation or not, so our criminal defense attorneys will ensure that they see the full picture of events when we advocate for you at trial.
DUI/DWI
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is criminalized in all 50 states. The statute criminalizing it in NJ is N.J.S.A. § 39:4-50. “Driving while intoxicated,” as New Jersey law usually calls it, also includes letting someone who is under the influence drive your vehicle.
Note that there are often questions with drunk driving cases about whether the police actually caught you “operating” the vehicle or not. For example, our lawyers might be able to challenge accusations that you were sleeping in your car, as this would not constitute “operation” in every case.
Burglary
The statute criminalizing burglary in New Jersey is N.J.S.A. § 2C:18-2. Many people conflate burglary with simply stealing something, but in reality, burglary requires a specific set of things. Namely, burglary is entering a premises while intending to carry out a crime; said crime does not necessarily need to be stealing something. If you, say, break into someone’s home to threaten them with a gun, it still qualifies as burglary, even if you do not intend to steal anything.
Robbery
Robbery is another crime that involves more than just stealing something. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2C:15-1, robbery is the forceful taking of something from another person combined with the threat of violence or actually causing bodily injury. If, for example, you corner someone on the sidewalk, punch them in the nose, take their wallet, and run away, that is robbery. It is also robbery to corner that person and threaten to “bust their face up” if they do not give you their wallet, even though they did not actually get physically hurt in the altercation.
How Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Defend You in Turnersville
Attorneys do so much more than argue at trial. A lot of preparation and legwork goes into a case before it ever gets to that point. First, our attorneys will start collecting information about your situation right away from witnesses, responding police officers, and other sources. Additionally, we may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to reach an agreement and get you a better outcome. However, if it comes to it, we are more than able to effectively defend you at trial and give you the best shot at a favorable outcome in your case.
Discuss Your Case with Our Turnersville Criminal Defense Attorneys Today
Our criminal defense attorneys are ready to help you when you call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych at the number (609) 616-4956.
