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Criminal Defense in Cape May, NJ

Cited for a traffic offense? Arrested for assault? Accused of murder? These are all situations in which you may feel confused. You may even feel like your life is over. What do you do now?

The good news is that you don’t have to face this battle on your own. In fact, you shouldn’t. You should absolutely seek legal help when your freedom is on the line. If you are facing punishment for a crime, you should contact a lawyer, and the sooner, the better.

A criminal history can impact your life for decades or even forever. You could face challenges getting a job or housing. Your constitutional rights, such as the right to bear arms and vote, are also impacted.

Getting arrested for a crime can be a scary situation. Get peace of mind with help from a Cape May, NJ, criminal defense attorney from The Law Offices of Melissa Rosenblum, LLC.

Types of Crimes in New Jersey

There are three classifications of crimes in New Jersey:

  1. Indictable offenses. More commonly known as felonies, indictable offenses are handled in the Superior Court. These are the most serious crimes. They’re classified from first to fourth degree, with first being the most severe.

    • First degree. Examples include murder, aggravated sexual assault, and armed robbery
    • Second degree. Examples include aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, burglary with a weapon, and drug distribution.
    • Third degree. Examples include possession of a controlled substance (such as heroin and cocaine), certain types of theft, and criminal mischief causing significant property damage
    • Fourth degree. Examples include threatening to kill someone, stalking, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
  2. Disorderly persons offenses. Other states call these misdemeanors, but in New Jersey, they are called disorderly persons offenses. These are tried in municipal court and are less serious than felonies. Examples include simple assault, petty theft (shoplifting items worth less than $200), harassment, and writing bad checks under $200.
  3. Petty disorderly persons offenses. These are the lowest level of criminal offense in New Jersey. They are also handled in municipal court. Examples include disorderly conduct (such as public drunkenness and loud arguments in public), offensive language or gestures in public, minor harassment, and trespassing.

Common Defenses

Your criminal defense lawyer can determine how to best defend your case. Defenses you may be able to use in your case include:

Contact Us Today

If you have been charged with a crime, not all is lost. We can help you feel more confident in getting a favorable outcome.

The Law Offices of Melissa Rosenblum, LLC, is here to help you move forward. Attorney Melissa Rosenblum is certified as a Criminal Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Under her leadership, we provide a solid trial presence and aggressive investigation skills that help get the most favorable results. Our Cape May criminal defense lawyer has decades of experience. To schedule a consultation, contact us via (609) 904-6262 or online here.