New Jersey Weapons Charge Lawyers
Experienced Gun and Weapons Charge Defense Lawyers Represent Clients in Essex County, Union County, Morris County, Middlesex County, Bergen County and Somerset County, NJ
Gun and other weapons charges in New Jersey can unexpectedly throw you into the New Jersey criminal justice system, where you will face not only substantial fines, but significant jail time. You may even potentially become subject to the harsh parameters of the Graves Act, which mandates jail time without parole in certain cases involving gun charges. Because weapons charges—especially gun charges—are taken so seriously by the New Jersey courts, having a strong weapons charge defense lawyer on your side can be critical to successfully navigating the often-unsympathetic justice system and minimizing the possibility of jail time.
At Zegas Law, our founding attorney, Alan L. Zegas, has spent years cultivating a reputation for excellence in both the state and federal courts. Our lawyers have built our firm upon a philosophy of actually fighting cases in the courtroom—rather than simply accepting the first plea bargain to come along. Because of this, regardless of the type of weapons charges you face, we understand what it takes to undermine the prosecution’s evidence and present your own case in the most favorable light possible.
Importantly, even if the prosecution’s case does have flaws, you need a lawyer who understands how to demonstrate those flaws effectively to achieve the most advantageous outcome possible—and potentially avoid the significant jail time that weapons charges can carry. At Zegas Law, we have the skills necessary to get results in your case, so call or contact us today for a risk-free consultation with our experienced Essex County weapons charge lawyers.
NJ Weapons Charges We Commonly Defend
Weapons charges, while always treated with the utmost severity in the courts, can be based upon a broad range of facts and circumstances that can significantly impact your case regardless of the actual charge at hand. Innocently crossing state lines with a gun licensed in a neighboring state can leave you facing significant charges, as can possession of an “imitation” weapon. Weapon and gun charges that we commonly see include:
- Unlawful possession of a weapon,
- Charges involving imitation guns, such as BB guns, Airsoft guns and paintball guns,
- Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose,
- Use of a weapon in commission of a crime,
- Illegal transportation of a firearm,
- Threatening someone else with a weapon,
- Possession of a firearm by an unlawful person, such as a convicted felon or person prohibited from possessing a firearm based on the terms of a restraining order,
- Federal weapons charges,
- Graves Act offenses.
It is important to remember that you could be facing significant jail time if charged with a weapons offense even if the prosecution makes no allegation that you possessed the weapon for an unlawful purpose. The simple possession of a gun without the proper permits can result in up to five years in prison on second or third-degree felony charges that will show up on your permanent criminal record for years to come.
Weapons Charges And Your Rights in NJ
All weapons charges must be taken seriously in this day and age, and our experienced weapons charge lawyers will fight for your rights every step of the way. We work to ensure that your constitutional rights—including your second amendment rights—are fully protected, and depending upon the facts of your case, may be able to challenge:
- The warrant that led to discovery of your weapon,
- Whether law enforcement had probable cause to search your vehicle,
- Whether you were actually in possession of a handgun,
- The prosecution’s evidence regarding your permit for the weapon,
- Application of the Graves Act mandatory sentencing requirements in your case.
Depending upon the circumstances of your case, we may even be able to negotiate probation and your entry into the New Jersey pre-trial intervention program in lieu of jail time.
Contact Our Hard-Hitting Criminal Defense Lawyers Today For a Free Consultation
Our skilled North Jersey weapons charge defense lawyers work toward formulating the strongest defense strategy possible in your case, using a detail-oriented approach that considers the specific facts of your case and circumstances. We fight to get your weapons charges dismissed or downgraded if at all possible. To schedule a confidential consultation, you can call our offices or fill out this online contact form anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weapons and Gun-Related Charges
Yes. The only legal way to transport your gun outside of the home without a permit for doing so is to place the gun in your trunk, in a case that is separate from the ammunition. You cannot legally have the gun within your reach or in the vehicle even if you have a permit for owning the gun generally. In New Jersey, most private citizens—those who are not involved in law enforcement—are almost never granted a permit to carry the gun outside the home (a “carry permit) unless they can demonstrate strong evidence that they are in danger or have some life-threatening need to carry the weapon.
The Graves Act is a law enacted in New Jersey to curb gun violence by imposing significant and harsh penalties for weapons charges. Under the Graves Act, the normal period of parole ineligibility is extended to three years in most cases—meaning that if you are facing an unlawful possession charge and the weapon was a gun, you may serve a minimum three-year jail term. Our lawyers understand how to challenge this harsh result through the complex process of advocating for what is known as a “Graves Act waiver”, which can potentially reduce the three-year minimum sentence.