If you are faced with a criminal charge, you may not know where to turn. You need a legal team by your side who will defend you until the end. At Jean Baptiste & Associates, we defend clients accused of a wide range of criminal, municipal, and traffic offenses, and we pride ourselves on keeping our clients informed and involved in their defense, which is key to reaching a favorable resolution.
Our goal is to get you the best results possible. This can include pretrial intervention programs, conditional discharges, or plea deals. We are also fully prepared to represent you at trial. No matter what is the best course of action for your unique case, we will pursue justice with tenacity and determination.
We aim to resolve our clients' legal issues by presenting a well-planned defense and seeking alternatives to jail time. We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action in your case. By getting to know your side of the story and forming a strong attorney-client partnership, we can collaborate to seek the results that you need and deserve. Our seasoned criminal defense attorneys will take the lead in your case, but at the end of the day, you'll make the final call on the path we take.
Our attorneys are knowledgeable about criminal law and will honestly explain to you the different possible scenarios you may face under New Jersey or federal law. Transparency and straight-forward answers will help you determine the best course of action for us to take for your specific case. We approach each client with patience and a strategic mindset so that we can ensure that you get the personal time and attention necessary to formulate a comprehensive defense.
In New Jersey, crimes are categorized as indictable crimes, disorderly person offenses, and petty disorderly offenses, as opposed to felonies or misdemeanors. An indictable offense is considered equal to a felony due to the sentence for this offense being a minimum of one year in prison. Disorderly person offenses and petty disorderly person offenses would be considered equal to misdemeanors.
Indictable crimes are classified by degrees in New Jersey. These degrees range from fourth degree, which typically includes stalking, forgery, and some robbery offenses, to first degree, which includes murder, manslaughter, and rape. The punishment for an indictable crime in New Jersey depends on its degree and can include prison time and a fine.
In New Jersey, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) is considered a traffic offense, not a crime. That doesn't make the charges any less serious. A driver caught operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.08% for the first time can face up to 30 days in prison. Successive charges have even higher penalties. Other traffic offenses can add points to your license and cause your insurance rates to skyrocket. To help you avoid penalties, our lawyers will vigorously challenge any charges using all evidence available.
An accusation of drug use, possession, or distribution can have serious consequences. Our attorneys understand that sometimes good people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and we will aggressively work to prove that the state's charges are baseless. In many cases, we are able to steer cases to pretrial intervention programs to keep our clients out of jail. If you have been charged with possessing marijuana, cocaine, or another drug, we can help.
The attorneys at Jean Baptiste & Associates in Jersey City, Bridgewater, and Clifton will help you understand your charges and present a strong defense for any type of crime, including:
We are here to help you, not to judge you. Our focus is on presenting a defense and working with the legal system to get you the results you need.
We will approach your case with an open mind and a dedication to seeking justice. If you are in need of legal guidance in Jersey City, Bridgewater, or Clifton, New Jersey, contact Jean Baptiste & Associates today to set up a consultation. Don't let past mistakes tarnish your future.
