New Jersey Gun Crime Attorney
Gun Charges Lawyer in Haddonfield, NJ Defends Clients Charged with Gun Crimes in Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, and Throughout South Jersey
Make no mistake about it: gun charges and other weapons offenses in New Jersey are extremely serious. If you are convicted of unlawful possession of a gun, for example, you could be facing up to 10 years in a New Jersey state prison. Even lesser penalties will wreak havoc on your life, impacting your finances, job and family. At The Law Office of Jill R. Cohen, I have been fighting for the rights of those charged with weapons crimes in South Jersey for decades from my office in Haddonfield. I am certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a criminal trial attorney. If you have been accused of a gun crime in Camden County or any of the surrounding communities, I can help.
Secure Your Future With Experienced and Dedicated Defense;Schedule a Free ConsultationWith Me, New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney Jill Cohen, to Fight For Your Rights and Seek The Justice You Deserve.
Serious Gun Charges In New Jersey Require Serious Legal Defense Strategies
In order to prosecute a weapons offense under New Jersey criminal laws, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knowingly possessed a weapon under circumstances not appropriate for lawful use. Common firearms can include
- Handguns
- Rifles
- Pistols
- Shotguns
- Machine guns
Further, guns are not the only instruments that constitute a weapons offense. Courts have defined a weapon as any type of instrument that can cause serious physical injury or death, including:
- Knives or switchblades
- Daggers
- Nunchucks
- Chinese stars
- Blackjacks
- Pellet or airsoft guns
- Stun guns
- Metal knuckles
- Baseball bats
In fact, in the right circumstances, almost anything could be considered a weapon. It is also important to note that in New Jersey, an individual may not possess a firearm on the grounds or in the buildings of any educational institution, including schools, colleges and universities, even if the person has a valid permit to carry a weapon or firearm.
The Graves Act And Mandatory Jail Time
In New Jersey, a conviction for a weapons offense can trigger the Graves Act and mandatory jail time. The New Jersey Graves Act has made the unlawful possession of a firearm a second-degree criminal offense. New Jersey law imposes mandatory jail time of a minimum of 3 ½ years without the possibility of early parole for most gun offenses. Individuals with prior criminal convictions face even longer prison sentences. In addition to the loss of freedom, a criminal conviction will result in a criminal record that will remain with an individual for the rest of their lives.
Applying For A Graves Act Waiver
Despite the mandatory jail requirements of the Graves Act, it is possible to apply for a Graves Act Waiver. In considering a Graves Act Waiver, the court will evaluate several factors to determine and evaluate if it is in the interests of justice for the defendant to serve the required mandatory sentence. The convicted applicant must show and prove that it is not within the best interests of justice to require such a sentence.
Weapons Crimes And Defaced Firearms
In New Jersey, it is against the law to possess a defaced gun. A defaced firearm is one that has been altered to remove or cover the weapon’s serial number, model name or the name of the gun’s manufacturer. In other words, it is against the law to own or possess a gun that has been changed in a way that makes it unrecognizable or unidentifiable. Violation of this law can result in serious fines and jail time.
Legally Transporting Guns In New Jersey
To legally transport a gun in the state of New Jersey without a permit, a person must only be traveling between their house and their place of business or to a firearm repair shop from either of those places. A person may also transport their gun to or from a firearm shooting range, a gun show or a hunting destination. In addition, the gun has to be properly stored, unloaded, and secured during the transport. It must be in the proper case and must not be accessible to the driver or passenger in the front seat of the vehicle. Failure to follow these rules for transporting a gun, can result in serious fines and penalties, including jail time.
Rely On My Experience For Aggressive Defense Against Weapons Charges In New Jersey
A criminal conviction for a New Jersey weapon offense will affect every area of an individual’s life, including their personal freedom, employment opportunities and personal relationships. I will fight for you when you are facing any weapons offense charges, including:
- Unlawful possession of certain weapons (such as sawed-off shotguns, silencers, body armor-penetrating bullets, explosives)
- Carrying an unlicensed gun or a gun without a permit
- Using a weapon to inflict physical injury on another person
- Threatening another person with the use of a gun or other weapon
- Juvenile weapon charges
- Failing to surrender a weapon
- Unlawful use of fake or imitation firearms
- Parole or probation violations involving guns or other weapons
At The Law Office of Jill R. Cohen, I will work to reduce all charges against you to help you and help you avoid jail sentences whenever possible. If you are a first-time offender, when possible, I will try to negotiate your acceptance into the Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program, which may ultimately allow the charges against you to be dismissed upon completion of the PTI program. New Jersey weapons offense charges require dedicated and experienced legal representation from a criminal defense attorney who knows and understands New Jersey laws regarding weapons offenses.
I Offer Free Case Evaluations to Consult With You About The Charges You Are Facing. Call Me at 856-858-1500 or Reach Out Through My Online Form to Schedule Your Consultation Today.
Call Today For A Free Consultation
Going into a legal battle without the assistance of an experienced criminal lawyer is one of the most serious mistakes an individual can make. I offer initial consultations for free so that I can answer your questions and explain your options. Contact me today at 856-754-5501 or send an email through my online form to schedule your appointment.
Jill is a miracle worker. She got all 5 of my serious gun, assault and domestic terrorism charges completely dismissed. She made ample time for me; coming to all 3 of my hearings. She deserves 10 stars!
Frank P.I just recently hired Ms. Cohen to defend me. I feel very confident with my freedom in her hands, all that I can say is she’s knowledgeable and educated about her job. Her integrity with her clients means everything.
Law 55“I am so grateful to Ms. Cohen for all of the hard work she did on my case. She believed in my innocence and fought for me from the beginning and in each step of the way. Because of her, my very serious charges were dismissed. She also was so kind as to include my wife and telling her everything that was happening. I would highly recommend Ms. Cohen to fight for any type of charges you have and I believe that she will get the best result possible.”
Anayeli R.