New Jersey Violent Crimes Lawyers

Seasoned Criminal Defense Lawyers Represent Clients Accused of Violent Crimes in Essex County, Union County, Morris County, Middlesex County, Bergen County and Somerset County, NJ

All crimes carry consequences, but the New Jersey state and federal criminal justice systems both impose the most severe of those consequences upon those convicted of committing violent crimes. Violent crimes threaten the physical safety—and even the lives—of New Jersey citizens, making prevention and punishment of these crimes a key priority of law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts. Because agents of the criminal justice system will bring all of their substantial resources to the table in obtaining a conviction for these crimes, it’s critical that you similarly retain the best possible criminal defense attorney with the resources necessary to level the playing field if you have been accused of committing a violent crime in North Jersey.

Our founding attorney Alan L. Zegas has substantial experience effectively defending clients accused of violent crimes, including murder, even in extremely high-profile and widely publicized cases. We understand that cases involving violent crimes are frequently impacted by racial bias and overworked law enforcement who may be more interested in obtaining a conviction at all costs than identifying the correct suspect. All too often, innocent parties are prosecuted for crimes they did not commit—or we see the prosecution attempt to “over prosecute” by alleging violent crimes that are much more severe than the prosecution’s evidence can actually support.

At Zegas Law, we know what you stand to lose if convicted of a violent crime in New Jersey, especially if that crime is murder. We zealously represent clients facing these serious crimes and draw on our substantial experience to build the most compelling possible defense in your case. If you have been accused of committing a violent crime in North Jersey, call or contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation with our experienced violent crimes defense lawyers.

We Can Build A Strong Defense for All Types of Violent Crime Accusations in North Jersey

Acts of violence, or even the threat of violence, can lead to conviction for a violent crime that can impact you for the rest of your life. Our lawyers can build a strong and compelling defense strategy if you have been accused of:

Murder
Attempted murder
Manslaughter
Aggravated assault
Kidnapping
Armed robbery
Sex crimes, including rape and sexual assault
Vehicular homicide (death by automobile)

Murder is the most serious of the violent crimes that you can be charged with—meaning that it carries the most severe penalties that the criminal justice system has in its arsenal. To charge you with murder as a first-degree crime, the prosecution must show that:

You knowingly or purposely killed someone, or that you caused bodily injuries serious enough to result in death
You somehow caused the death of another person while committing some other type of violent crime, such as sexual assault, arson, robbery and others

Intent is the primary difference between these two avenues for charging a defendant with murder. While first-degree murder charges generally require that the defendant intended to kill another person, felony-murder charges may still apply even if you did not actually intend to kill someone. In other words, the prosecution need only show that you intentionally committed another serious felony crime and that, during the commission of that crime, caused the death.

Creating Strong and Innovative Defense Strategies for Clients Accused of Violent Crimes in NJ

A strong defense is key to minimizing the potential consequences when you have been accused of committing a violent crime. Every case is unique and will present a distinct body of evidence and set of facts—which we analyze comprehensively to identify the strategies that will be most effective in your case. Self-defense is one of the key defense tools that may come into play in a case alleging murder, and will require that we establish:

You reasonably feared imminent harm to your own safety
You reasonably believed that the deadly force employed would prevent the other person from causing serious bodily harm or death to you or someone else
You were in your dwelling house and used the deadly force involved to prevent the other person from committing a crime against you (remembering that if the other person entered your home using force, it is presumed that his or her purpose was to commit a criminal act)

Other defenses that may be useful in your case include racial bias, mistaken identity, alibi, tainted evidence and even mental incapacity. Regardless of the charge alleged, we conduct our own comprehensive analysis of the circumstances to locate any exculpatory evidence and challenge the prosecution’s evidence in your case.

Call To Schedule A Free Initial Consultation

Building a strong defense in a case involving a violent crime can be extremely complicated, especially if that charge is murder. This makes it especially important that you retain an experienced criminal defense lawyer with a proven track record of success in violent criminal cases. If you have been arrested or are being investigated for committing a violent crime, call or contact our skilled Essex County criminal defense lawyers for a confidential consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Violent Crimes

FAQ: What is the crime of attempted murder and how is it different from other crimes?

Attempted murder can be charged when the prosecution has evidence to support a claim that you intended to murder another person and that you took a “substantial step” toward committing that murder. It’s different from other crimes because it alleges that you attempted to commit a crime and failed—but even the attempt is serious enough to impose the harsh penalties that violent crimes justify. Generally, you must have taken some sort of concrete action toward committing the murder—more than mere planning is required.

FAQ: What penalties will apply if I am convicted of a violent crime?

The amount of prison time that you face will depend upon the strength of the prosecution’s case and the grading of the crime, but most violent crimes carry a presumption that you will serve at least 85 percent of your prison sentence without parole. For murder, you may serve up to life in prison. In addition to prison, you can face any of the penalties available in New Jersey, including significant monetary fines, community service, restitution paid to the victim, probation and the need to disclose your conviction to potential employers, landlords, creditors and more.

Fearless
“Alan Zegas represented me in a high-profile criminal case. He has a brilliant mind, with strong institutional knowledge and an extraordinary command of the law. He was detail oriented, an enormously strategic thinker, fearless, compassionate, personally accessible on a 24/7 basis, and was all in for me. He was always well prepared and often could see things that others did not. Most importantly, he provided an honest and straightforward assessment of the facts. Alan acted entirely in my best interest, without regard to running up billable hours or moving my case into an unwinnable position. He was always kind, but never hesitant to be blunt and forthcoming. He exuded competence and professionalism at every moment throughout the process.”
Extremely Thorough
“Alan is a master of the art of law, is extremely thorough and meticulous to every detail. He speaks softly but carries a big stick. It is obvious that he is given a great deal of respect in the court room. I knew I was in the best of hands from the get go. For such matters, you need the very best. Alan earned my complete trust. There are a great deal of firms out there with many partners, and associates. Alan is a solo guy, so you know your case is getting his personal attention. As an example, he was always accessible by phone or text. I am grateful for everything he did for me.”

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