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Union County, New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer

Toms River Juvenile Arrested for Stealing Items from Unlocked Cars

Toms River police have been investigating a string of thefts involving stolen items from unlocked cars in the North Beach area. After several weeks of investigation the investigating officers have arrested and charged a seventeen-year-old juvenile with numerous counts of theft.

Police said that many owners of vehicles parked in the North Beach area of Toms River reported that their cars were missing items. Navigation systems, cameras, ipods, and skateboards were among items reported stolen. 

Hopewell Juveniles Arrested for Smoking Marijuana in Local Park

Hopewell Borough Police arrested several juvenile boys for smoking marijuana in a borough park.

Officer Gerard Infantino was responding to a suspicious persons call at the Hopewell Borough Park. Upon entering the park, Officer Infantino smelled burnt marijuana and began looking for suspects. Infantino said he spotted five juvenile boys.

The Officer attempted to stop the boys. Before he could stop them, two ran away. A backup officer stayed with the remaining three while Infantino chased the other two down. One of the juveniles escaped, but Infantino did catch a 15 year-old Hopewell resident.

The officers searched all of the juveniles and found suspected marijuana and glass pipes in their pockets.

Fabricated drug charges have consequences in New Jersey

New Jersey law enforcement officials are known for being aggressive in their pursuit of drug offenses. However, in at least one city it appears that several police officers have been willing to even use illegal tactics to make an arrest and gain a conviction.

More than 100 people who have been accused and convicted of dealing drugs in Camden, New Jersey, have complained that those convictions were based on fabricated and tainted evidence gathered by corrupt police.

Morris County Woman Arrested for Driving to Police Station While Intoxicated

A 46 year old Morris County woman was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated ("DWI") to a police station last week. The woman, a resident of Pomptom Plains, drove to the Kinnelon police station to pick up a police report. While at the station, an officer noticed that she was dazed and had difficulty maintaining her balance. The officer proceeded to question the woman and determined that she had driven to the police station after taking several prescription medications. The woman was unable to recall the dosages that she took and the police officials did not disclose the exact type of medication she had taken. The alleged offender was issued a summons for driving while intoxicated and was released to a third party pending a court appearance.

Drivers in New Jersey can be arrested and charged for DWI if suspected of driving under the influence of narcotics including marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs and other hallucinogens. Recently, the New Jersey Court of Appeals upheld a DWI conviction of a Hunterdon county man who was arrested while driving home from a local hospital after being given a cocktail of prescription drugs, even though there was no alcohol in his system.

New Jersey's penalties for DWI are very severe. A first DWI conviction could result in a loss of license for a period of time ranging from three months to a year. Those found guilty of DWI also face a fine of up to $500 as well as possible imprisonment. Furthermore, New Jersey assesses a surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years.

The consequences of a DWI are serious and can affect every aspect of your life. For this reason, anyone charged with the offense of DWI should choose an attorney who is well qualified and experienced in handling DWI cases in Morris County and throughout the State of New Jersey. It takes the expertise of an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your rights, analyze your case and obtain the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Source: nj.com, "Woman charged with driving intoxicated to Kinnelon police station," Dan Goldberg, The Star-Ledger. April 3, 2012.

Source: nj.com, "DWI conviction of driver impaired by prescription drugs upheld by New Jersey appellate court," Lillian Shupe, Hunterton County Democrat. March 21, 2012.

N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 Driving while intoxicated (2012). 

Cell phone and Facebook called to testify?

In the early days of police surveillance, so-called gangsters were known to be on the lookout for electronic bugs and potential informers wearing a wire. Today, New Jersey law enforcement undoubtedly still uses electronic surveillance, but increasingly local law enforcement is making use of cell phone text messages and Facebook.

A recent news article listed several examples of individuals who are facing criminal charges, including felonies, due in part to the damaging evidence found in text messages and Facebook postings. It is wise for everyone to keep in mind that once you hit the "send" button, your electronic message is out of your control.

Suspected jewel theft ring busted by authorities

Authorities have arrested seven people who were allegedly involved in a jewelry theft ring. The group is accused of absconding with more than $4.6 million in goods from traveling salesmen in New Jersey and throughout the eastern seaboard. The individuals who were apprehended were federally charged during their first official court appearance earlier this month.

Government officials said the group is associated with an international crime syndicate that is accused of committing 17 other robberies. The suspects are accused of attacking jewelry sales representatives while they were traveling between their homes, hotels and business locations.

Student facing criminal charges for 'stealing' a cup of ice

Although questions often arise in criminal cases about the propriety of specific law enforcement and prosecutorial conduct, most people recognize that there is a public safety necessity for the police and criminal justice systems. In fact, during instances where police and prosecutors improperly cut corners, we often hear the excuse that there are limited resources to ensure public safety.

In this context, it boggles the minds as to why a college student was charged with several charges including theft, fraud, and possession of stolen goods after filling an empty cup with ice after he had purchased some french fries from the school cafeteria.

Judge lowers bail for guard facing drug charges

Picture an accused drug dealer. Perhaps you think of a user on the streets, a kingpin in a posh mansion, or maybe even a teenager. The truth is, though, that anyone could be accused of being involved in drug distribution, even those who are supposed to watch over the safety of others. That's exactly what happened to a New Jersey prison guard who is now facing drug charges.

The senior corrections officer, who was arrested earlier this month on drug charges, has received a bail reduction from a Superior Court judge. The guard, 36, was taken into custody on March 9. He had been under investigation for more than six months, according to the county prosecutor and the state Department of Corrections. He has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, distribution of that substance, conspiracy to distribute the substance and official misconduct, according to jail officials.

Essex County Sheriffs Seize Over $15,000 in Heroin

On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 14, an ongoing police surveillance investigation into "the delivery of large amounts of drugs" resulted in the seizure of more than $15,000 in heroin and a semi-automatic weapon from an alleged East Orange drug dealer.

Essex County Sheriff's detectives observed the man pull his car into a Dunkin Donuts parking lot near Park Avenue and North 6th street. When officers approached the vehicle, the suspect attempted to drive away but was apprehended before he was able. According to officers on scene, upon being removed from the car, the man dropped approximately 400 bags on the ground.

The man's car was impounded and a search revealed a trap compartment where officers discovered 991 bags of heroin and a fully loaded TEC-9 semi-automatic handgun. Officers also found digital scales and other drug paraphernalia in the trunk of the car. 

The suspect was arraigned the following day and held at the Essex County Correctional Facility. He faces multiple drugs and weapons offenses.

Source: nj.com, "East Orange man caught with nearly 1,400 bags of heroin, handgun," James Queally, The Star-Ledger. March 15, 2012.

Criminal accusations not always what they appear

There is an inclination to empathize with those who claim to have been the victims of a criminal act. This is particularly true when the purported event put the alleged victim in serious danger. This can be seen anytime the news reports on criminal allegations, they are often reported as if the suspect has already confessed and been convicted. But of course, accusations of criminal activity are not always what they seem.

A recent incident in New Jersey is a good example. Two men described a harrowing event to police. They explained how a man had approached them and carjacked them. They told the police that he had a gun and made the men drive off in their car. A short time later the car crashed injuring one of the apparent victims. There was in fact a car crash, but there was no carjacker and no carjacking.

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