Lacey Township Criminal Defense Attorney

Lacey Township NJ Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you have been arrested in Lacey Township, New Jersey and are facing criminal charges or a disorderly persons offense such as Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Criminal Trespass, Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct, Theft by Deception or Robbery you are most likely facing stiff penalties that include up to six months in jail, loss of driving privileges, compulsory community service, probation, and a criminal record. The selection of a criminal defense attorney is the most important decision that you will make in light of the legal situation that you find yourself in. The attorneys at the Law Offices of William Proetta Criminal Law stand ready to assist you through this difficult time. William A. Proetta, our firm’s founding lawyer, is an Ocean County Criminal Lawyer with a proven track record that includes a wide array of successfully handled cases. Our attorneys will diligently review the prosecution’s evidence against your case. Once all of the relevant facts and circumstances surrounding the incident are known, we will assess the weaknesses in the case against you in order to resolve the charges in your favor. To speak with a Lacey Township Criminal Defense Attorney today, feel free to contact our office at (848) 238-2100. An experienced lawyer is available immediately to provide you with a free consultation.

Lacey NJ Municipal Court Information

The contact information for the Lacey Municipal Court is:

Municipal Building

818 West Lacey Road

Forked River, NJ 08731

Phone: 609.693.1100

Judge Damian G. Murray presides over court sessions on the first Tuesday between 3:00 p.m. and the second, third, and fourth Tuesdays between 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For additional information on the Lacey Township Municipal Court, see the town’s official website.

Every town, city, or municipality across the State of New Jersey has a municipal court, including Lacey.  While some municipal courts can be shared with another town, Lacey’s court stands on its own.  Municipal Courts are designed to hear cases that impact their towns on a smaller scale, such as traffic offenses, lower-level criminal offenses, violation of town ordinances, and DUI charges.  Hearing cases in municipal court is a way for towns to maintain order and generate funds through issuing fines and penalties. Depending on the type of offense that has been alleged in your case, you could end up paying heavy financial penalties to the municipality and the state, in addition to other punishments.

Criminal & Traffic Charges in Lacey, New Jersey

Have you received a notice or summons to appear in Lacey Township Municipal Court?  If so, then you may be required to defend against a traffic ticket, DUI charge, violation of a town ordinance, disorderly persons, or petty disorderly persons offense. Every offense for which you can be summoned to Lacey Municipal Court carries penalties that vary, depending on the nature of the charges. For instance, a criminal conviction for shoplifting carries community service, among other serious punishments, and may even impact your immigration situation. A petty disorderly persons offense like disorderly conduct exposes you to jail for up to 30 days. Moreover, being charged with a disorderly persons offense like simple assault may result in a jail sentence of up to 6 months, plus anger management, a criminal record, and even a restraining order if the offense occurs in a domestic violence case. Other common reasons for charges in Lacey, New Jersey involve driving while intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, or refusing to undergo a breathalyzer test. These offenses rival criminal ones in terms of the potential impact on your life and your livelihood.

Lacey Township Disorderly Persons Offenses

Both disorderly and petty disorderly persons offenses are criminal in nature, but are not considered felonies.  These offenses are more in line with what are commonly referred to as misdemeanors elsewhere.  In certain cases, disorderly persons offenses have felony counterparts that can be heard in the Ocean County Superior Court. For instance, shoplifting, possession of marijuana, trespassing, possessing drug paraphernalia, theft, harassment, and disorderly conduct are all disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offenses adjudicated in Lacey Municipal Court. These offenses allow the judge to impose jail sentences of 180 days and 30 days, respectively.  Additionally, for disorderly persons charges, a $1,000 fine can be issued, while petty disorderly persons charges allow for a maximum fine of $500. Aside from these penalties, you may be required to pay court costs and fees for each offense. The judge is also permitted to place you on probation and impose any conditions deemed fit.

Depending on the circumstances, you could also face a violation of a town ordinance in Lacey. Violating an ordinance, in most cases, represents a favorable alternative to a criminal conviction. Towns are authorized to enact ordinances that, if violated, give them the right to impose fines and penalties upon those who plead or are found guilty.  The prohibited behavior included in municipal ordinances ranges from disturbing the peace to not cutting your grass. Usually, the benefit of pleading to a town ordinance over a disorderly persons offense is that the consequences are less severe and not considered criminal. This is particularly desirable when seeking to maintain your ability to answer “no” when asked on applications for employment and other opportunities if you have ever been convicted of a criminal offense.

Lacey NJ Traffic Offenses

If you or your loved one has been pulled over in Lacey NJ and were subsequently charged for DWI, Driving without Insurance, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, or Driving While Suspended, it is vital that you hire a Lacey traffic ticket defense attorney to assist you. Such tickets carry severe penalties that can include a lengthy driver’s license suspension, mandatory drug and alcohol classes, community service, points on your license, hefty fines and jail time. Essentially, driving through any town in New Jersey means that you must obey all traffic laws. Failure to do so will permit a traffic citation. While you may be less alarmed by a ticket, it is often unwise to plead guilty and accept the punishments attached with your offense. For instance, even for minor traffic infractions, you can be assessed points and fines that you are not financially prepared to deal with. As points accumulate, your insurance rates may rise and your license can even be administratively suspended by the DMV. This is even more true in DUI cases where you face license suspension, a mandatory ignition interlock device, and multiple state penalties and surcharges. Often, if you attend municipal court with an experienced lawyer, the fines can be reduced, as well as the points assessed. In addition, the case will be reviewed by a knowledgeable traffic defense lawyer who can determine the legality and identify possible defenses that may be available to you.

Indictable Crimes in Lacey New Jersey

When charged with a more serious crime in Lacey, your case will be transferred to the Ocean County Superior Court. Criminal cases heard in Ocean County Superior Court involve felony crimes of the first, second, third, or fourth degree, otherwise known as indictable offenses. Felony offenses are serious crimes that will be reflected on your record and each degree carries a maximum sentence in state prison. In Superior Court, you are entitled to a jury trial whereas with municipal court, your ultimate guilt is decided by one person, the presiding judge.

Contact a Lacey NJ Criminal Attorney Today

When you or someone you love has been charged with criminal or traffic offense in Lacey, New Jersey, an attorney who knows the law and how to defend against the particular charges can prove extremely helpful in maneuvering court proceedings and reaching the top result. Our skilled Lacey criminal defense lawyers will assist you throughout the legal process and help you avoid the serious repercussions you now face. We have the experience to minimize or mitigate the impacts that a traffic ticket, criminal charge, or DWI can have on your life. Our attorneys offer a free initial consultation and look forward to building a case strategy customized to the facts of your case. Please call us at (848) 238-2100 for a free consultation or visit our conveniently located offices in Ocean County.