Being accused of a criminal offense in the state of New Jersey can have a devastating impact on your life. Not only will you face criminal penalties if you are convicted, but your reputation, career, and personal relationships could also be jeopardized. It has never been more important to take control of your future. A highly experienced Princeton criminal defense lawyer at Casper Bloom Law is here to help you clear your name.
Our criminal lawyer has what it takes to obtain an acquittal or the most favorable outcome possible given the specific circumstances of your case. Contact us for a confidential consultation today. We will discuss the type of crime you have been accused of, the credibility of the state’s case against you, and how to best approach your defense strategy.
Common Types of Cases Our Princeton Criminal Defense Lawyers Take On
Having a criminal lawyer handle your defense is essential whether you are charged with a misdemeanor, felony, or federal offense. Jenna Casper Bloom handles a wide variety of criminal offenses, including the following:
Assault
New Jersey law recognizes multiple types of assault crimes. Some of the most common assault charges our clients have been accused of include:
- Assault by a motor vehicle
- Resisting arrest
- Simple assault
- Aggravated assault
Your criminal history and the severity of the alleged victim’s injuries will determine whether you are charged as a disorderly person or Superior Court. The penalties of a conviction will depend on the level of your criminal charges. For example, someone convicted of a fourth-degree charge could be fined up to $10,000 and spend up to 18 months in a New Jersey State prison. However, if you were convicted of a second-degree assault, you might spend as much as 10 years in a NJ State prison and be fined up to $150,000.
New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA) requires individuals found guilty of aggravated assault charges to serve up to 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for parole under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2. For this reason, it is crucial to work with a Princeton criminal defense attorney who can help you dodge a conviction.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious crime in New Jersey. You can be found guilty of a DUI if you operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level that reaches or exceeds 0.08%, 0.01% if you are under the age of 21, and 0.04% if you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The consequences increase with each subsequent offense. Some of these criminal penalties could include:
- A maximum ten-year driver’s license suspension
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Fined up to $1,000
- A $1,000 surcharge annually for up to three years
- Completion of an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center counseling program
- Up to six months in jail
Drug Crimes
Having our skilled Princeton criminal defense attorney defend you when you have been accused of a drug crime is critical when the penalties are this high. According to New Jersey law, drug crimes can include a wide array of controlled substances, including:
- Cocaine
- Crack
- Ecstasy
- Heroin
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamines
- Opiates
- OxyContin
- PCP
- Synthetic marijuana
- Vicodin (without a prescription)
There are several types of drug crimes you could be facing, such as drug possession, manufacturing, cultivation, distribution, and even trafficking. The potential penalties you will face will depend on which type of drug charge you are accused of committing, the type of drug involved, and the amount of the drug in question. For example, even though marijuana is legal for recreational use in NJ, if you are in possession of more than the legal limit, criminal charges could apply. However, if you were accused of being in possession of a more serious controlled substance like cocaine, you could spend up to 20 years in prison and pay fines of up to $500,000.
These are just a few of the penalties for drug possession charges. If you are accused of drug distribution or trafficking across state lines, the consequences will be much more severe. For example, if you were convicted of a third-degree drug distribution offense, you might spend up to 5 years in a NJ State prison and be fined $35,000, whereas a first-degree drug conviction carries fines of up to $500,000 and a maximum of 20 years in state prison.
Gun Crimes
Gun offenses should always be taken seriously as you have been accused of a crime involving a dangerous weapon. Gun charges can take multiple forms. Some of the most common gun crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer Jenna Casper Bloom defends against include:
- Pointing a firearm
- Unlawful possession of a weapon
- Certain persons not to possess a weapon
- Possessing a weapon for an unlawful purpose
As with most criminal charges, if you have previous gun crime convictions or an extensive criminal history, the penalties you face if convicted could be life-changing. For example, someone found guilty of a fourth-degree gun charge could spend up to 18 months in a NJ state prison. However, if you are found guilty of a second-degree gun crime, your prison term could be elevated to ten years, and fines could be as much as $150,000.
Your gun crime defense will be especially important because these types of crimes are sentenced with the Graves Act in mind. Here, for a minimum amount of time, you will be ineligible for parole. Prosecutors and the judge presiding over your case do not have the same sentencing discretion as they do with other types of criminal offenses. Fortunately, the Princeton lawyer, Jenna Casper Bloom, aggressively defends clients and works tirelessly to get gun charges reduced to a lesser offense so you can avoid some of the more significant consequences of a conviction.
Sex Crimes
Sex offenses are some of the most serious types of crimes you can be charged with. Even the accusation of committing a sex crime could destroy your professional reputation and ruin relationships with your family and friends. Criminal defense lawyer Jenna Casper Bloom has considerable experience defending against a number of different types of sex crimes, including:
- Criminal sexual contact
- Sexual assault
- Megan’s Law offenses
- Violating community supervision for life
- Endangering the welfare of a child
Those convicted of sex crimes in Princeton face serious penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $200,000. You will also likely be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, which was implemented to ensure sexual predators would be held accountable and reduce recidivism rates. Other requirements you may need to meet as a convicted sex offender under Megan’s Law include:
- Registering under Megan’s Law for at least 15 years
- Register with law enforcement officials and report changes to your address
- Housing and work restrictions
- Being prohibited from having unsupervised contact with minors
As a sex offender under Megan’s Law, your address, photo, and name will be posted online for the public to see. You may also be required to notify your neighbors of your status as a sex offender. Failure to adhere to these restrictions could result in additional charges.
Theft Crimes
Our Princeton criminal attorney regularly defends those accused of various theft crimes. Some of the most common types of theft crimes we handle include:
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Shoplifting
- Theft by deception
- Theft by extortion
- Theft by receiving stolen property
- Theft by unlawful taking
The consequences of a theft conviction can vary depending on a variety of factors, including whether a deadly weapon was used, whether the alleged victim was seriously injured, and the value of the stolen goods or services. If you are found guilty of a disorderly persons offense, you could be fined up to $1,000 and spend up to six months in county jail. However, if you are convicted of a first-degree theft charge, you could spend up to 20 years in a NJ State prison and be fined up to $200,000.
Traffic Offenses
Working with a Princeton criminal defense lawyer is the best way to avoid the fallout of a traffic offense. Although you might initially believe these penalties are minor, the impact on your life could be far greater than you anticipated. You could have dramatically increased auto insurance rates, driver’s license suspension or revocation, surcharges, fines, and even jail time if you are found guilty. Some of the most common traffic offenses a reputable Princeton criminal attorney with Criminal Defense Attorney Jenna Casper Bloom see include:
- Leaving the scene
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane change
- Careless driving
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Failure to stop at a traffic light
Defending Yourself Against Criminal Charges in Princeton
Our criminal attorney, Jenna Casper Bloom, prioritizes your best interests based on the strength of the prosecutor’s case against you, the evidence at hand, your criminal history, and other factors. Here are some of the most common ways to approach criminal charges in Princeton:
Pretrial Diversion
Your Princeton criminal lawyer will start by considering whether pretrial diversion is possible in your case. If we can get you entered into a pretrial diversion program, and you fulfill your obligations, the charges against you could be entirely dismissed. However, failure to meet the requirements as outlined in your plea agreements means the state has the authority to move forward with the initial criminal charges and resulting penalties. It is important to note that pretrial diversion is typically only available for first-time, non-violent crimes.
Common Defenses
If you do not qualify for pretrial diversion, your dedicated criminal attorney will consider which defenses are most suitable for your case. We may need to challenge unlawfully obtained evidence, defend you when your constitutional rights have been violated, and fight back if the police or prosecutor engaged in misconduct. We are fully prepared to zealously defend you at trial should it become necessary.
Princeton Criminal Defense FAQ
Criminal defense lawyer Jenna Casper Bloom answered some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding criminal charges and arrests in Princeton, NJ, below. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact our team to discuss your specific concerns further.
Will I have to remain in jail while waiting for my trial?
It depends on whether the judge grants your release. The judge will take a variety of factors into consideration, including how likely you are to flee, your criminal record, community ties, and more. If you are released pending trial, you may need to adhere to specific restrictions, such as maintaining your job, not leaving the state, and not being charged with any additional crimes. Our Princeton criminal lawyers will be responsible for advocating for your release so you can go home to your family while you work on your defense.
When should I invoke my right to an attorney?
Your criminal defense attorney should be contacted as soon as you are taken into police custody or arrested. Do yourself a favor and invoke your right to remain silent as well so you do not say anything self-incriminating. You can inform the police that you will be exercising your right to remain silent and would like to contact your attorney for legal representation.
I am innocent-Can the police still arrest me?
Even if you are innocent, you can still be arrested. Our job as criminal defense attorneys is to help you present evidence that clearly introduces reasonable doubt and challenge inadmissible evidence that could be devastating for your case. However, even if you are innocent, you must let the criminal justice process play out. Fleeing or attempting to evade arrest could result in additional criminal charges and penalties.
Hire Princeton’s Leading Criminal Defense Attorney to Dodge a Conviction
The criminal charges against you may have a significant impact on your life for the foreseeable future, even if you are ultimately found not guilty. It is imperative that you protect your future and reputation if you hope to reduce the fallout of these criminal allegations. Working with the top-rated Princeton criminal defense lawyer Jenna Casper Bloom could be the solution you have been searching for.
She will carefully craft a powerful defense so you can get back to your life and avoid the harsh penalties of a criminal conviction. Start working on your defense strategy as soon as today when you submit our quick contact form or call our office to schedule your confidential consultation as soon as today.
