Marlboro Township NJ Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with a crime in Marlboro in western Monmouth County, New Jersey, it is important to engage an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. 

Criminal defense lawyer Jason A. Volet began his legal career in the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, where he rose through the ranks before deciding to devote his legal practice to protecting the rights of people accused of crimes. Mr. Volet knows that most criminal cases are settled without going to trial. If a trial is necessary in your case, Mr. Volet has been certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a criminal trial attorney.

In Marlboro, NJ, defense attorney Jason Volet is ready to fight for you. Get ahead of criminal charges that can harm your future if not handled correctly by contacting the Law Office of Jason A. Volet in Marlboro, NJ, today. Set up a free legal consultation now by calling or filling out our online contact form.

What Criminal Charges Can a Marlboro, NJ, Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me With? 

Anyone charged with a crime in Marlboro, New Jersey has the right to a strong legal defense. Never face criminal charges without an experienced defense attorney. In addition to potential incarceration and fines, a criminal conviction makes it harder to gain employment, obtain a bank loan, secure public housing, or attain a college education.

Contact criminal defense lawyer Jason A. Volet for help fighting charges in Marlboro, NJ, related to:

• Drug Crimes. Conviction on drug charges, including possession, distribution, manufacturing, and importation, can have long-term negative effects on an individual’s life. However, there are typically several opportunities to question the credibility of police evidence supporting drug crime charges. In many cases, a knowledgeable defense attorney can negotiate a reduction of the drug charges or admittance to a rehabilitation program to avoid harsher criminal penalties.
• Drunk Driving (DWI / DUI). New Jersey has some of the nation’s harshest penalties for drunk driving. A conviction could have a long-term impact on your driving privileges, your employability, and your freedom while costing you thousands of dollars in fines, fees, and increased insurance premiums. Attorney Jason Volet will seek a resolution of DWI charges so as to have the least impact on your life. 
• Theft Charges. Multiple offenses — burglary, robbery, auto theft, and extortion – fall under the category of theft crimes in New Jersey. Any theft crime conviction carries the potential for prison time as well as expensive fines. Because punishments for theft crimes vary, a local attorney who knows local prosecutors and the law has the opportunity in many cases to negotiate a lesser charge and help the person facing charges avoid incarceration.
• Violent Crimes. Violent crime charges, such as murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and kidnapping, carry the harshest penalties, including life in prison in some cases. An experienced Marlboro, New Jersey criminal attorney can provide a customized defense strategy that is based on a thorough investigation of the facts of the case. 
• Sex Crimes. Charges of rape and other forms of sexual assault are often based on “he said/she said” allegations and DNA evidence. Your defense attorney should challenge DNA results when possible, closely examine the alleged victim’s statements and advocate aggressively to make sure your side of the story is told.
• Domestic Violence. Police who respond to domestic violence complaints are expected to side with the alleged victim, who can have the alleged perpetrator arrested. Domestic violence allegations that are not answered with a vigorous defense can damage a person’s life and may lead to the loss of a home and child custody. 
• Juvenile Charges. In juvenile cases, our first objective is to secure your child’s freedom, unless extenuating circumstances make you believe temporary detention would be beneficial. we review your child’s history and work to keep the case in New Jersey Family Court, where a juvenile can take advantage of various helpful programs and avoid the potentially harsher penalties in adult court.

How Are Criminal Charges Classified in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, criminal charges are classified as:

• Disorderly and petty disorderly persons offenses. Minor criminal offenses are heard in municipal courts. The Marlboro Municipal Court has jurisdiction over all disorderly persons offenses that occur within the boundary of Marlboro Township, as well as all traffic matters and Township ordinance violations.

Petty disorderly person offenses may be punished by fines up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. Disorderly persons offenses may be punished by fines up to $1,000 and up to 180 days in jail. 

• Indictable offenses — More serious crimes, or indictable offenses, may be charged as fourth-, third-, second-, or first-degree offenses, with a conviction of a first-degree offense, such as murder or rape, bringing the harshest penalties. Indictable offenses are heard in New Jersey Superior Court, which is held in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties.

What Should I Expect If I Am Facing Criminal Charges in New Jersey?

Punishments for indictable offenses range from fines of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in prison for a fourth-degree offense to fines of up to $200,000 and 10-20 years in prison for a first-degree offense. New Jersey also imposes mandatory minimum sentences for crimes of violence, offenses involving firearms and drugs, and official misconduct, among other crimes. Some crimes, such as murder, first-degree kidnapping, and certain sexual assaults, can be punished by life without parole.

If the judge or prosecutor does not initially dismiss indictable offense charges or downgrade the charges to a disorderly persons offense, the prosecutor must present the case to a grand jury. The grand jury, which is made up of ordinary citizens, decides whether the prosecutor has enough evidence to indict the defendant.

A defendant must be arraigned within 50 days of an indictment, meaning the charges are read and the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty. A pre-arraignment conference is held within 21 days of the indictment for prosecutors to show the evidence they plan to use against the defendant. This is a defense attorney’s first opportunity to gain a full understanding of the prosecutor’s case. 

It is important to engage a defense attorney as soon as possible after an arrest or indictment so the attorney can conduct an investigation prior to the pre-arraignment conference. When engaged in time, a defense attorney and the prosecutor can often negotiate a resolution to the case between the pre-arraignment and arraignment via a plea agreement, if available and appropriate, or on other terms.

If a case goes to trial, the prosecutor has the burden to prove guilt. To return a guilty verdict, the judge or a unanimous jury must decide that the prosecutor has proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Anything less, and judge or jury must declare the defendant “not guilty.”

As a former prosecutor, attorney Jason Volet has the experience to spot the inconsistencies and weaknesses in the prosecution’s cases. He uses those insights to help his clients. 

Most cases do not go to trial. By law and practice, New Jersey courts prefer to put defendants into diversionary programs. Prosecutors would rather come to an agreement on a plea bargain. Many charges are dismissed after the defense attorney identifies problems with the prosecution’s case.

Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Marlboro, NJ, Today

A representative of the Law Office of Jason A. Volet can meet with you in Marlboro, NJ, for a free initial legal consultation about the charges you face and how we can fight them. Once engaged, our legal team will investigate and gather evidence to build a strong defense for you. Contact us now to schedule your free legal consultation.