Being charged with a criminal offense is a traumatic and frightening experience with potentially devastating consequences. A conviction results in a criminal record and may lead to the imposition of substantial fines and incarceration. As such, it is critical to obtain representation by criminal defense attorneys who will aggressively protect your rights while presenting the best possible defense.
Levy, Ehrlich & Petriello represents adult and juvenile clients who have been charged with crimes in state and municipal courts throughout New Jersey. These crimes range from disorderly persons offenses to more serious indictable offenses and include:
- Arson
- Assault
- Burglary / robbery
- Disorderly conduct
- Domestic violence
- Drug possession and distribution
- Endangering
- Forgery
- Fraud
- Harassment
- Insurance crimes
- Juvenile delinquency
- Kidnapping
- Resisting arrest / eluding / hindering
- Theft
- Weapons possession
- White collar crimes
- Municipal Court Matters
Our criminal defense lawyers provide critical advice and aggressive representation to clients at all stages of criminal prosecution including police interrogation, arrest, search and seizure issues, bail reduction, grand jury proceedings, indictment, arraignment, plea negotiations and trial.
Juvenile Matters
Minors charged with criminal offense are usually processed in Family Court under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Code. Similar to adult offenders, juveniles who are found to be delinquent face the imposition of substantial fines, restitution, community service and detention in a youth correctional facility. Given these serious consequences, it is essential that juveniles and their families have effective legal representation to protect their rights and guide them through this complex system.
Domestic Violence
Household members accused of harassment or physical abuse are subject to the imposition of a restraining order that can bar them from their residence and prevent them from having contact with their children. Such a restraining order may further result in the accused being listed in a domestic violence offender database maintained by the State. Significantly, violations of domestic violence restraining orders constitute crimes punishable by mandatory jail time. Given these negative consequences, domestic violence applications require the same immediate and ardent defense as criminal matters.
DUI / DWI and Traffic Violations
Driving under the influence of drugs or while intoxicated (DUI / DWI) is not like other traffic violations. In addition to the loss of driving privileges, persons convicted of DUI / DWI pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 face significant fines, substantial insurance surcharges and even jail. As such, DUI / DWI arrests must be addressed immediately. At Levy, Ehrlich & Petriello, our experienced criminal defense attorneys know how to proceed after a DUI / DWI arrest to protect your rights and help you navigate this complicated proceeding. Where necessary, we use scientific experts to review the accuracy of the alcohol or drug tests performed by the police. Our criminal defense attorneys will also assess whether the police properly conducted the motor vehicle stop that resulted in the issuance of the DUI / DWI violation.
We also represent clients charged with other serious traffic violations, including driving while suspended, no liability insurance, refusal to submit breath sample, leaving the scene of an accident, possession of drugs or alcohol in a motor vehicle, and careless / reckless driving. We also have significant experience representing the owners and operators of trucks and other commercial vehicles in the defense of related infractions, including overweight, over length and defective equipment violations.
Expungement
Certain criminal convictions, as well as the related arrest records, may be "expunged" or erased from a person's record upon application to the court after the passage of a set period of time. Our criminal lawyers can determine whether a prior conviction is eligible for this remedy and then work quickly to process the necessary court papers to obtain it.
If you need a criminal defense attorney with the ability to understand complex legal issues, please contact Jeffrey Plaza.
Founded in 1955, we've been serving the Newark, NJ areas for over 50 years.
