In New Jersey, a speeding driver can be charged with anything from a standard traffic violation to more serious criminal charges, depending on extenuating circumstances. Conditions under which speeding could result in more serious charges include:

• Traveling at excessive speeds, which are defined as 30 or more miles over the posted limit (and/or double the limit in certain areas/zone). When traveling at these speeds, police often charge reckless driving, which carries additional significant penalties, including potential license suspension.

The post When Speeding Can Lead to More Serious Charges appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.

What constitutes false information? Any statement made with the purpose of deceiving law enforcement and/or disrupting an investigation. This can include implicating an innocent person for a crime; reporting a crime that never occurred; claiming to have information about a crime that you do not have; providing law enforcement with a fake name, falsified documents, or fake identification. Misleading statements intended to protect another person from arrest or conviction or to protect yourself from liability are also punishable under the law.

Common reasons a person might risk criminal charges for making false statements include covering up material details of a crime, committing financial or insurance fraud, carrying out a prank or a hoax, or seeking revenge or retaliation against another individual.

The post The Consequences of Making False Statements to Police appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.

There are numerous lesser-known laws in New Jersey that can result in criminal consequences:

• Leaving someone you injured exposed to further danger without offering assistance or reporting the incident to the proper authorities can result in serious criminal charges.

The post Lesser-Known NJ Laws appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.

New Jersey considers resisting arrest to be a serious matter as it impedes law enforcement’s efforts to perform their responsibilities. A person who resists a police officer can be charged with an indictable crime, including aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer, depending on the particular circumstances. Those circumstances can impact both the charge and the penal consequences, which can include imprisonment.

Eluding a police officer is a very specific form of resisting arrest involving fleeing the scene in a motor vehicle, and/or failing to stop a motor vehicle upon law enforcement command. This can be charged as either a second or third degree crime and has the potential of resulting in significant prison time and suspension of a driver’s license.

The post How Resisting Arrest Complicates Your Situation appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.

Sentencing guidelines look to reach a balance between punitive consequences, such as incarceration, probation, fines, and rehabilitative options, which includes treatment. To achieve this, numerous factors are taken into consideration. Before sentencing, New Jersey courts review:

• Aggravating factors – These include the gravity of harm inflicted on the victim/s, the need to deter others from violating the law, the risk of the defendant re-offending, and the defendant’s criminal history, amongst other factors.

The post What Courts Consider When Imposing Sentences appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.

If you find yourself falsely accused of a crime, your instinct may be to protest the claim to clear your name, but being reactive may only escalate matters. Take the accusations and their potential consequences seriously. Don’t assume that because you are innocent, the accusations will just go away.  Be prepared to take actions to protect yourself.

• Stay calm and consider exercising your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Even innocent statements can be misinterpreted when taken out of context. Avoid making statements without presence of legal counsel.

The post You’ve Been Falsely Accused of a Crime, Now What? appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.

• 1^st degree offenses, such as murder and armed robbery, carry penalties of 10 to 20 years or life, in prison
• 2^nd degree offenses, such as aggravated assault, carry penalties of between 5 to 10 years in prison

The post How Long Does A Felony Conviction Stay on Your Record? appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.

According to some sources, there is a 20% increase in domestic violence incidents requiring police intervention during the month of December. Several stressors contribute to this uptick:

• Financial stress associated with buying gifts and hosting holiday gatherings

The post Domestic Violence: A Serious Matter for Both the Abused and the Abuser appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.

People sometimes leave the scene of an accident because they panic, become confused, or simply don’t realize damage or injury has occurred. But others leave to avoid facing charges associated with DWIs, driving with a suspended or invalid license, failing to have proper insurance, or having outstanding warrants.

Ordinarily, involvement in an accident will not result in criminal charges even if it is determined the accident resulted from negligence or the violation of other specific laws. Leaving the scene can compound any traffic related infractions, create criminal liability, and put you and others at increased risk of harm.

The post The Consequences of Leaving the Scene of An Accident appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.

Most people charged with a DUI may not be aware of the extent to which their judgment and reflexes have been impaired. Many may believe they are fit to operate a motor vehicle. Some make the mistake of thinking a DUI charge is just another motor vehicle violation, but it isn’t. While defendants have the right to represent themselves in court, retaining an attorney is in your best interest.

The laws pertaining to DUIs vary by state. In New Jersey, the penalties for a DUI offense depend on several factors including whether:

The post Facing DUI Charges? Why You Should Consult an Attorney appeared first on New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog.