Criminal Defense

Criminal Defense Attorneys in East Rutherford, North Arlington, Lyndhurst & Bergen County, NJ

Protecting the legal rights of people who have been accused of criminal misconduct in New Jersey
Allegations of criminal activity are an extremely serious matter. In many cases, a conviction for even a first-time offense can result in significant penalties, including probation, fines, community service, and even jail time. Furthermore, the existence of a conviction on your record can have significant collateral consequences as well. For example, employers may be less likely to hire you and a conviction could even keep you from gaining admission to an educational institution. Criminal convictions are generally public record, meaning that anyone with sufficient curiosity may be able to find embarrassing details about your past.

In many criminal cases, there are defenses available that may mitigate the consequences that a criminal defendant may be facing or may even result in an acquittal, should the case go to trial. Even in cases in which there are no defenses available, the representation of an experienced criminal defense attorney can often result in a favorable plea bargain arrangement which avoids the most serious consequences associated with a particular offense.

criminal defense lawyer east rutherford nj

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU, CALL COZZI & COZZI COUNSELLORS AT LAW TODAY AT 201-450-1505

Defense for Drug Cases

Offenses related to the possession, manufacture, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs are aggressively pursued by New Jersey prosecutors. These cases often arise when law enforcement makes initial contact with a defendant for reasons not related to drugs - for example, many people are accused of drug crimes when drugs are discovered during a traffic stop for a completely unrelated matter. Some of the more common drug offenses that people face include:

 

  • Possession
  • Possession with intent to distribute
  • Drug trafficking
  • Manufacture or cultivation


 

 


For this reason, there are often various legal defenses related to the way in which law enforcement officers conducted a particular search in cases related to drugs. The 4th Amendment prohibits law enforcement from conducting unreasonable searches and seizures, and violations of this rule can keep illegally obtained evidence from being used against you. A common example of this type of violation occurs when police search a person's car without probably cause to do so. Our attorneys will thoroughly review your case and determine whether any of these apply.

 

Defense for Harassment Charges

In New Jersey, the offense of harassment is either brought as a disorderly persons offense or a fourth-degree offense if the defendant is in prison or is on probation or parole for an indictable offense. The offense of harassment is set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 and involves the following type of conduct:

 

  • Makes, or causes to be made, a communication or communications anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours, or in offensively coarse language, or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or harm.
  • Subjects another to striking, kicking, shoving, or other offensive touching, or threatens to do so
  • Engages in any other course of alarming conduct or of repeatedly committed acts with purpose to alarm or seriously annoy such other person


 

 

In order to for the prosecution to prevail in a harassment case, it must prove that the defendant intended to harass the alleged victim. Determining a person's intent is inherently a subjective matter - defense attorneys, therefore, often have the opportunity to argue that the conduct at issue in a particular case did not rise to the level of harassment.

 

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Defense for Assault Charges

Under N.J. Stat. § 2C:12-1, simple assault can occur in one of three ways:

  • Attempting to cause or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another
  • Negligently causing bodily injury to another person with a deadly weapon
  • Attempting by physical menace to put another person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury


Like other violent offenses, one of the most commonly raised defenses in assault cases involves arguing that the use of force at issue was justified as self-defense. Whether or not self-defense applies in a particular case is a fact-specific issue often turns on whether the level of force used was justified in light of the circumstances.

Contact Cozzi & Cozzi Counsellors at Law Today to Schedule a Free Consultation - 24/7 Help is Available 201-450-1505

If you have been accused of a criminal offense in New Jersey, you are almost certainly facing significant legal penalties, including probation, fines, community service, and even jail time. In addition, a criminal conviction on your record can make it difficult to obtain employment and can have a significant and negative effect on your reputation within the community. Fortunately, the representation of a criminal defense attorney can often help mitigate the more serious consequences associated with a criminal case and may even result in the case against you being completely dropped or dismissed. Our lawyers are committed to defending the rights adults and juveniles and do everything possible to help you avoid a conviction. In addition, if you have already been convicted of a crime, we can help you pursue an expungement if you are eligible. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyers, call our office today at 201-939-3381. For 24-hour assistance, call us at 201-450-1505.

IF YOU'VE BEEN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT, HARASSMENT OR POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS, CONTACT US RIGHT AWAY!!