South Brunswick Criminal Defense Attorney

South Brunswick NJ Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or your loved one has been arrested and subsequently charged with a criminal offense or has received a serious traffic ticket in South Brunswick, New Jersey it is crucial that you focus your attention on selecting the right defense lawyer. Our criminal defense law firm represents individuals arrested for Disorderly Conduct, Possession of Marijuana, Simple Assault, Shoplifting, DWI, and Driving while Suspended. These charges and others carry severe penalties that include loss of driver’s license, mandatory community service and up to six-month incarceration. The attorneys at William Proetta Criminal Law offer clients a unique combination of skillful negotiating tactics and litigation talent. Contact our Edison office today at (732) 659-9600 to speak with a South Brunswick criminal defense lawyer about the details of your particular case.

South Brunswick, New Jersey Court Information

Whatever the case may be, municipal court complaints generally include the statute or statutes that you are accused of violating, as well as the date and time of your next court appearance. If you refer to your summons, you will notice that your court date is already set. It is imperative that you either appear for this court date, or your attorney may be able to have your first appearance waived while you await the discovery (evidence) involved in your case. If your first appearance is not waived, you must not miss court, as this could lead to a bench warrant for your arrest being issued. Likewise, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the date on the summons, it is best to contact the South Brunswick Municipal Court days in advance of your hearing. The South Brunswick Municipal Court is located  at 540 Ridge Raod in Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852 and can be contacted by telepone at 732.329.4000 on Ext 7425. Judge Michael V. Dowgin and Judge Dawn R. Shanahan preside over the court. On the first, third, and fifth Tuesday of each month along with every Thursday, court sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. On the second and fifth Tuesdays, sessions begin at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Ms. Judith James-Spencer is the court administrator and the fax number is 732.274.1523.  For additional information regarding the court proceedings please visit the South Brunswick Municipal Court Official Website.

What Penalties are there for Criminal Offenses in South Brunswick Court?

The penalties for a municipal court matter can include jail time, fines, driver’s license suspension, and community service. The exact penalties in your South Brunswick Municipal Court case will depend on the particular charges you face. For example, if your charge is classified as a petty disorderly persons offense, you are subject to a maximum jail sentence of 30 days and a fine of $500. If your charge is classified as a disorderly persons offense, you can be sentenced to up to six (6) months in jail and fined as much as $1,000. A conviction for a disorderly persons offense can also result in the defendant having their driver’s license suspended for up to two (2) years, as well as a requirement to perform community service.

You should also be aware that a conviction for either a disorderly persons offense or a petty disorderly persons offense in South Brunswick Municipal Court will appear on your permanent record. Although these offenses are not technically considered “crimes,” they will still leave you with a criminal history that will show up on a background check. The good news is that an attorney may be able to help you file an application to get the disorderly persons conviction expunged from your record as soon as you are eligible.

South Brunswick Traffic Tickets

If you are ticketed for a moving violation while driving in South Brunswick, your matter will be scheduled for adjudication in the South Brunswick Municipal Court. Some of the most common traffic offenses heard in this local court include the following:

If you are convicted of a traffic offense in South Brunswick, the court will likely impose statutory fines for the offense. Additionally, you may receive points on your driving record. Although the municipal court does not technically assess points on your driver’s license for a traffic offense, you can expect that the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles will put points on your license sometime after you plead guilty or are convicted of a traffic violation in South Brunswick Municipal Court. If you get too many points on your license, you could be hit with surcharges and higher insurance premiums. Accumulate enough points, and your license may be suspended.

Felony Crimes in South Brunswick NJ

By contrast, criminal charges that are classified as indictable offenses (felonies) are handled in the Middlesex County Superior Court. While an indictable offense requires a grand jury to issue an indictment before the case can be scheduled for trial in superior court, a disorderly persons charge can be scheduled for trial in municipal court without any additional steps. If you are charged with a felony, it is possible that a charge will be downgraded to a disorderly persons offense, and the case will then be transferred to municipal court. This is typically reserved for fourth degree and possibly even third degree crimes, and cases that barely cross the threshold from disorderly persons to indictable charges.

The length of a jail sentence for a disorderly persons charge is relatively short compared to the possible length of a prison sentence for a defendant who is convicted of an indictable offense in superior court. Regardless of the degree and grading of a criminal charge in New Jersey, it is important to keep in mind that the charge may carry penalties that include jail or prison time, depending on the outcome of the trial or the terms of any plea agreement you made with the prosecutor. This is true for disorderly persons charges, with one caveat: disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offenses do not have a presumption that you should be imprisoned upon a finding of guilt. In fact, they have a presumption of non-incarceration for individuals without a prior criminal conviction in their background.

Defending Your Charges in South Brunswick

William A. Proetta Esq. and his team have extensive experience handling all types of criminal charges and traffic violations. We are normally able to significantly reduce the charges that our clients face or even get the case dismissed entirely. Alternatively, if a satisfactory plea is unattainable, we will aggressively litigate your case at trial. Our goal is to operate with your best interests in mind while keeping you comfortable and informed the entire time. Our criminal defense diligently strives to identify the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and argue all potential issues such as probable cause for the stop, an illegal search, knowing consent. For a free consultation regarding the details of your case and how we can identify opportunities for your customized case strategy contact our Edison office at (732) 659-9600.

Directions to South Brunswick Municipal Court