New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Manalapan Criminal Lawyer

The most common type of criminal arrest in Manalapan Township is for possession of marijuana. Both adults and juveniles in Manalapan are regularly arrested for marijuana possession and possession of other drugs and CDS in Manalapan Township. Arrests for domestic violence and juvenile crime also occur in Manalapan from time to time. My office is only minutes from both the Manalapan Township Municipal Court and the Monmouth County Superior Court. Call now to speak with a local criminal defense lawyer.

More common than criminal charges in Manalapan are traffic tickets issued by Manalapan Police officers. Volume of traffic violations is spread pretty evenly throughout the town. On Route 9, citations for speeding and improper passing for riding the shoulder are given out daily. Speeding tickets on Route 33 are common as well. In some residential areas, the Manalapan Town Committee has designated "Target Enforcement Areas" where the prosecutor has little discretion in offering plea agreements. DWI arrests in Manalapan occur on a regular basis throughout the town.

Manalapan Township Municipal Court

The Manalapan Township Court has jurisdiction over all traffic offenses including Manalapan DWI charges, disorderly persons charges, and local ordinances. More serious charges such as crimes and juvenile arrests are referred to the County.

The Manalapan Court is located at 120 Route 522 & Taylor's Mills Road in Manalapan, NJ 07726. The phone number is: 732-446-6656. The court's fax number is: 732-446-2504

Manalapan Township - New Jersey

Manalapan is a township in Monmouth County. The community name is derived from an Indian term variously translated as "edible roots", "within a covered swamp", "land of good bread" or "good land to settle upon". It was formed in 1848 from portions of Freehold Township, and in 1888 segments of Manalapan were taken to form Englishtown Borough. Manalapan has a total area of 30.9 square miles, of which more than 99% is land.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the population of Manalapan was 33,423 with 10,781 households. Out of this number of households, 47% had children under the age of 18 living with them. Households made up of individuals represented 14.9% and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

In Manalapan Township the median age of the population was 38 years. Approximately one third each was composed of individuals under 18, those from 25 to 44 and from 45 to 64. Residents who were 65 years of age or older represented 11.6% versus only 5.8% from 18 to 24.

The major ancestry groups reported by Manalapan residents include: 24% Italian, 11% Irish, 10% Polish, 9% Russian and 7% German. As of the 2000 census, the racial composition of the township was 91.81% White, 4.53% Asian, 3.54% Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 1.99% African American. Manalapan has large Italian and Jewish communities. Ten years later, there were changes in this racial breakdown as follows: 80.75% White, 5.45% Asian, 9.15% Hispanic and 7.81% Black or African American.

Figures from the Census Bureau show that the median income for a household in this township was $102,882 with a median family income of $114,124. More than 10% of the residents had an income of $200,000 and over. Median income for males almost doubled that of females ($72,198 versus $39,921). The poverty line percentages were about 3.2% of families and 3.8% of the population. This includes 5.1% of residents below 18 years old and 5.7% of those aged 85 or over.

The FBI Uniform Crime Rate database for 2008 indicated that the violent crime rate per 100,000 people was 61 incidents versus 342 in New Jersey and 676 nationally. The rates for property crime (burglary, larceny, vehicle theft and arson) for the same year show that Manalapan Township had 1068.5 incidents per 100,000 people compared to 2219.8 in the state and 3727 nationally. Of all categories of crime, the only one slightly higher than the state is that of larceny.

The level of education attained by the population age 25 and over shows that less than 10% did not complete high school (vs. 14.15% for the state). Percentages of individuals who have completed Bachelor's or Graduate degrees are higher than the state's (23.77% vs. 20.65% and 14.07% vs. 12.05%, respectively.

All the components of the quality of life index (130 vs. 93) are above the state marks. The most outstanding of these are: culture and restaurant index (almost triple the state), amusement (double) and about 30% higher education and medical indexes.

Loch Arbour Criminal Lawyer

Few criminal arrests and DWI charges are made in Loch Arbour. Traffic picks up noticeably in the summer months, when alcohol related arrests are more common. If you are facing a DUI or criminal charges in Loch Arbour Court, speak with a defense lawyer before appearing in court. I can answer your questions and make sure that your rights are protected.

Loch Arbour Municipal Court

The Loch Arbour Court is located at: 399 Monmouth Rd., in Oakhurst, NJ 07755. The court can be reached by phone at: (732) 531-5005. The court only on Tuesdays.
The judge in Loch Arbour Court is the Honorable Joel N. Kreizman, J.M.C. The prosecutor is Timothy F. McGoughran, Esq.

Loch Arbour - New Jersey

Loch Arbour is a village in Monmouth County, named after Lochaber, Scotland. It is located along the Atlantic Ocean in the eastern part of the County, bordered to the north by Allenhurst Borough and to the south by the City of Asbury Park. It was formed as a Village in 1957 from portions of Ocean Township and is the only municipality in the state still using the village form of government, although there are three others that maintain the Villa type of government. Its residents have rejected the merger of the village with Ocean Township, Allenhurst or Interlaken.

The village has a total area of 0.1 square miles, made up of 79% land, according to the last Census. The estimated population, in 2003, was 275 people. The data from the 2000 Census show an increase to 280. This makes Loch Arbour the fifth smallest municipality, by population, in the state.

According to the 2000 Census, the racial makeup of the village was 95.00% White, 2.14% Black or African American with a scant 0.71% Hispanic or Latino of any race. By 2010, the proportions had changed to 84.2% White and 10.0% Hispanic or Latino. The major ancestry groups reported by Loch Arbour residents have also varied from 2000 to 2010. Thus, at the time of Census, origins were 38.6% Irish, 22.1% Italian, 17.5% German, 11.1% English, 8.2% Hungarian and 6.1% Scotch-Irish. Ten years later, all percentages had been reduced and other groups were added, such as Black or African American, Greek, French Ukrainian and Polish (2% each) and Danish, Russian, Romanian, Welsh, Dutch and Belgian (1% each).

The median age of Loch Arbour's residents was 43 years in 2000 (vs. 36.7 for the state), with 15.7% of the population 65 years of age or older. A similar percentage was represented by the population under the age of 18.

The estimated median household income in 2000 was $68,542, climbing to $114,181 by 2009 and leveling at $88.043 by 2010. More than 10% of the people had an income $200,000 and over in 2010. None of the families of Loch Arbour were living below the poverty line. The estimated median house or condo value in 2000 was $312,100, a figure that almost tripled in 2009 ($874,893). Everybody owns at least one vehicle, and more than 10% own four or more vehicles. The cost of living measured in January 2011 was 121.1 vs. the U.S. average of 100.

In the matter of education, data from 2010 show that all the population 25 years and over of Loch Arbour had completed high school or higher. A fifth of this population has completed a graduate degree and a third have a bachelor's degree

The total crime risk index, in 2010, was 91 vs. 73 for the state. The highest risk indexes are represented by larceny (185 vs. 62) and rape (156 vs. 39). The lowest risk is posed by robbery (5 vs. 108) while murder and assault are below the state levels (11 vs. 84 and 30 vs. 62)

Keansburg Criminal Attorney

Police in Keansburg actively patrol the town, making arrests for DUI, CDS possession and other criminal charges on a regular basis. Many of the disorderly persons offenses in Keansburg including possession of marijuana NJSA 2C:35-10(a)4 and assault NJSA 2C:12-1a occur after traffic ticket stops and near the boardwalk area. If you are facing drug charges or a DWI in Keansburg, call now to speak with a Monmouth County criminal defense attorney.

Keansburg Court

The Keansburg Municipal Court hears DWI cases, traffic tickets, disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses. The judge is the Honorable Michael D. Pugliese, J.S.C.

Court Location:
Keansburg Municipal Court
29 Church Street
Keansburg, NJ 07734

Keansburg, New Jersey

Keansburg, a borough located in Monmouth County, was formed as such in 1917 from segments of both Middletown and Raritan Townships. The community was named for U.S. Sen. John Kean, who helped establish a post office here. Former and merged names include Granville and Waycake

According to the U.S. Census bureau, Keansburg has a total area of 16.8 square miles, most of which is made up of water (93.58%). The 2000 census indicates a population of 10,732 people in 2000, which barely grew to 10,746 in 2003. By July 2009, according to unofficial data, the population had decreased to 10,536 and then to 9,683 in 2010

Out of the 3,872 households counted in the 2000 census, 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them. More than a quarter of the households made up of one individual and 10.1% were individuals 75 years of age or older lived alone. The median age was 34 years with 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older.

The number of violent crimes registered by the FBI in 2003 was 63, with no murders or homicides. The violent crime rate for Keansburg was low, at 5.8 per 1,000 people. By 2010 the total crime risk index stood at 80 (vs. 73 for the state). The assault risk index doubled the national figure and more than tripled the state's.

The murder and burglary risk indexes were par for the state, at 84 and 63, respectively. The rape risk index surpasses by far the state figure (142 vs. 39). Only the indexes for robbery and motor vehicle theft risk are lower than the state's, at 19 and 23 vs. 108 and 76, respectively.

The major ancestry groups reported by Keansburg residents include: 28% Irish, 19% Italian, 14% German, 5% Polish and 4% Puerto Rican. As of the 2000 census, the racial composition borough was 93.31% White, with Hispanics or Latinos of any race representing 7.95% of the population.

The median income for a household in Keansburg borough was $36,383 according to the 2000 Census, which increased to $44,511 in 2009 and $48.631 in 2010 (unofficial data). Approximately 15.5% of the families and 17.7% of the population of this borough were below the poverty line. This figure includes 23.5% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those aged 65 or over.

In 2009, estimated median house or condo value stood at $209,663, doubling the 2000 value of $101,300. In 2010, almost a fifth of the population owned no vehicles, approximately 40% owned just one and 11.90% had three vehicles. By January 2011 the cost of living index in Keansburg stood at 120.6, which is high compared to the national average of 100.

Regarding the highest education level attained by the population age 25 and over in Keansburg, with the exception of almost half who completed high school, the percentages are below state and national figures for those who completed associate, bachelor's or graduate degrees. There is a high percentage of inhabitants who did not complete high school (24.69%)

Howell Arrests and Traffic Tickets

Howell Township police are very active in issuing traffic tickets, DWI and criminal charges in the Township. The New Jersey State Police have jurisdiction over the stretch of I-195 that runs through Howell Township. If you have been arrested in Howell or issued a traffic ticket, call to speak with a local defense lawyer.

A lot of DWI - NJSA 39:4-50 - arrests are made in Howell Township. The majority of these occur on Route 9 and 33. Traffic tickets for speeding NJSA 39:4-98 and suspended license NJSA 39:3-40. My office also handles Howell Expungements and gun permit appeals.

Police in Howell regularly make criminal arrests for a wide variety of charges. Most of these are drug charges in Howell, especially possession of marijuana and other CDS. Arrests for harassment, assault and other disorderly persons offenses are common as well.

Howell Municipal Court

The Howell Township Municipal Court has jurisdiction over all motor vehicle and disorderly persons offenses in the town. Any Howell juvenile case or felony charge will be sent to the Monmouth County Superior Court.

The Howell Court is located at 300 Old Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731. The Court Administrator can be reached at (732) 938-4848. The prosecutor in Howell Court is Sean T. Kean, Esq. The judge is the Hon. Allan Kaplan, J.M.C.

Howell Township, New Jersey

Howell Township was formed from territory taken from Shrewsbury Township in 1801. At that time it included, in addition to its present area, all of what now are the Townships of Wall, Lakewood and Brick as well as all the boroughs along the Atlantic Ocean, from Barnegat Inlet of the Shark River Inlet at Belmar. Portions of Howell were taken to form Farmingdale in 1903. The community was named after Governor Richard Howell.

The total area of the township is 61.0 square miles, of which practically all is land, with only 0.15% water. As of the 2000 Census, the township of Howell was 48,903 people in 16,063 households.

The major ancestry groups reported by Howell residents include 24% Italian, 19% Irish, 13% German and 8% Polish. At present, the most common places of birth of foreign-born residents are: India (11%), Canada (8%), Iran (6%).and Mexico (6%). At the time of the last census, the racial makeup of the township was 89.99% White, Hispanic or Latino of any race 5.34%, African American 3.56% and Asian 3.58%

The median household income has been increasing steadily since 1999, when it was $59,858; by the time of the 2000 census it was $68,069 and estimates for 2008 place it at $76,391. The estimated median house or condo value in 2000 was $130,300, which more than doubled by 2008 when it reached $281,367
The median age of this township's population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 36 years as of the last census.

The highest percentages of this figure correspond to people between 25 and 44 years old (32.8%) and those under the age of 18 (30.9%). The smallest percentage (1.6%) belongs to people age 45 to 64.

The principal industries in which males engage are: Construction (22%), Machinery (18%), Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (17%) and Electrical and electronic goods merchant wholesalers (10%). Females are mostly found in the following industries: Finance and insurance (21%), Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (12%) and Computer and electronic products (12%).

The above statistics are reflected in the occupations to which males of this township are dedicated: Metal workers and plastic workers (18%), Farmers and farm managers (10%), Sales representatives, services, wholesale and manufacturing (10%) and Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (10%). Female inhabitants of Howell work mostly in the following occupations: Child care workers (16%), other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (12%) and other financial specialists (11%).

In 2003, the FBI reported 68 violent crimes in Howell without murders or homicides. The violent crime rate was 1.4 per 1,000 people.

According to the 2000 census data, the educational attainment of the school population 25 and older is distributed quite evenly between high school graduates (30.0%), those with some college or associate0s degree (29.3%) and with a bachelor's degree (20.2%). These percentages are comparable with state and national ones. Only the percentage of individuals with master's, professional or doctorate degree falls below the state level (8.7% vs. 11.0%).

Aberdeen Township Municipal Court

Location: Aberdeen Square
Aberdeen, NJ 07747

Phone: (732) 583-4200 ext. 105, 141, 142
Fax: (732) 290-3171

Court Sessions are held every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

The judge in Aberdeen court is the Honorable Scott J. Basen, J.M.C. The prosecutor is Pat Sheehy. The court administrator is Michele T. Wieczoreck. Aberdeen police write up a large amount of traffic tickets, especially for speeding. Aberdeen also sees a good deal of DWI and minor criminal arrests, including shoplifting and drug possession.

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Atlantic Highland Court hears all traffic tickets, Atlantic Highland DWI arrests and some criminal arrests in the borough. The court is located at 100 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716. The phone number is (732) 291-3225. The fax number is (732)291-3100.

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Mount Laurel Municipal Court

With a satellite office location in Mount Laurel, my office is able to provide excellent representation to clients facing charges in the Mount Laurel Court. The Mount Laurel Municipal Court has jurisdiction over Mt Laurel traffic tickets, Mount Laurel marijuana arrests, and Mount Laurel DWI arrests.

The Mount Laurel traffic court is located at:

100 Mount Laurel Road
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

Our Mt. Laurel lawyer office address is:

309 Fellowship Road
East Gate Center
Suite 200
Mt. Laurel, New Jersey 08054
*By Appointment Only*

The Mt Laurel Court phone number is: 856-234-2003. The court can be reached Monday through Friday 9-5. The judge in Mount Laurel Municipal Court is the Hon. Peter C. Lange, Jr., J.M.C. The prosecutor is Nicholas Costa, Esq. The Public Defender is William E. Sitzler, Esq. The Court Administrator is Valerie Mazzagatti. The deputy court administrators are Rhonda Clayton and Judith Metzger.

Here is the location of the Mount Laurel DWI court:

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Hiring a lawyer in a Bradley Beach DWI (NJSA 39:4-50) should be a priority. An experienced DWI lawyer will enter a plea for you, demand that the police turn over all evidence, demand that you are provided speedy trial. These are vital stages of the early DWI process. Your case will be heard in the Bradley Beach Municipal Court.

Bradley Beach is a small shore town of about five thousand residents. However, the population explodes in the summer months. This is when most Bradley Beach DWI arrests are made. The beach town is located just south of Asbury Park, leading to a lot of late night traffic on the weekends from people leaving bars and clubs in Asbury. If you have been charged with a Bradley Beach DUI, call now for help.

A typical Bradley Beach DWI begins with a traffic stop. There are some so-called "observation" cases in Bradley Beach. These are when you are arrested for drunk driving, but the police did not actually observe you driving the car. However, most Bradley Beach DUI charges are filed after your vehicle is seen speeding (NJSA 39:4-98); weaving in and out of your lane (NJSA 4-88) or committing some other kind of traffic violation.

If a New Jersey police office sees your car commit a moving violation, a judge is likely to find that the officer had a "reasonable suspicion" to conduct a motor vehicle stop. The officer will subsequently approach the vehicle and ask to see your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance. If intoxicated, a driver is likely to fumble his or credentials or have a hard time finding them.

If you cannot show one of these documents, you will probably receive a ticket for Failure to Exhibit. The statute that governs this violation is NJSA 39:3-29. If the officer believes that your vehicle may not be covered by insurance, he or she will likely give you a ticket for No Insurance, contrary to NJSA 39-6B-2. This carries a mandatory 1 year license suspension and a $500 fine for a first offense.

While you are searching for your credentials, the Bradley Police Police Officer is going to attempt to detect the odor of alcohol emanating from your vehicle. Whether or not you have passengers in the vehicle may be an important fact on this issue. The officer will also check to see if your eyes are bloodshot and/or watery. Your speech may also be used against you. If the officer detects the odor of alcohol, bloodshot or watery eyes, and slurred speech, they will certainly ask you to step out of the vehicle.

After removing you from the vehicle, you will be asked to perform psychophysical tests. These often will include divided attention testing. Depending on your performance on these tests, along with the rest of the officer's observations, you may be placed under arrest for DWI at this point. If so, you must submit to breath testing or that will lead to another charge of Refusal to submit. Call to see what defenses may exist to fight your Bradley Beach DWI. It may be possible to challenge the stop, the sobriety testing, and the breath test results in your case.

Bradley Beach Court Lawyer

Most drug arrests in Bradley Beach are for marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. The Bradley Beach Municipal Court therefore winds up hearing most drug charge cases that occur in Bradley Beach.

Bradley Beach Court also has jurisdiction over DWI and traffic tickets issued in the borough. The court is located on Route 71, just south from route 33.

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Compared to most NJ towns, Spotswood DWI arrests are rare. DWI, DUI, and drunk driving are all the same thing. They are just commonly used terms for violations of NJ's DWI statute, which is NJSA 39:4-50. The Spotswood Police department has the responsibility of patrolling the town.

County Road 613 probably brings in most DUI arrests in Spotswood. County Road 615, known locally as Helmetta road, also results in some Spotswood DUI. Helmetta Borough is right down the road. Helmetta has its own municipal court.

One big mistake that a lot of people make in NJ is refusing to submit to breath samples. This results from a common misconception that the Alcotest is optional. This often leads to a charge of Refusal under NJSA 39:4-50.4a.

Most DWI arrests in New Jersey come along with a ticket for Reckless Driving. Reckless driving is a 5pt ticket, in violation of NJSA 39:4-96. However, the reason for the initial stop of your vehicle usually results in additional tickets as well.

Most defendants who are charged with drunk driving are first stopped for some kind of moving violation. Typical such violations include speeding and improper passing.

Spotswood was once part of East Brunswick Township. Less than 10,000 people live in Spotswood. The town was formed in the early 1900s. If you have been charged with a DWI in Spotswood, call a DWI lawyer for a consultation, any time.

A traffic ticket issued by a Spotswood Police officer will be filed in the Spotswood Municipal Court. The Spotswood Judge is the Honorable Edward Herman, J.M.C. The prosecutor is Lorraine Nielsen, Esq. Very few DWI arrests are made in Spotswood. Few traffic tickets and drug charges are filed in Spotswood.

Spotswood is a very small town. It is located in central Middlesex County. Neighboring towns include Helmetta and East Brunswick and Old Bridge. Few summons are written in Spotswood due to the size of the town. Those who are issued traffic tickets wind up in the Spotswood traffic court.

The court is located at: 77 Summerhill Rd., Spotswood, NJ 08884. The phone number is (732) 251-0700. The court only meets 3 times per month. This gives you an idea how much of a "low-volume" court it is.

Continue reading "Spotswood Municipal Court" »

The Spotswood Municipal Court has jurisdiction over traffic violations, Spotswood DUI arrests, and some criminal arrests. Even a minor traffic ticket can have a serious impact on your life. If you have been charged with any violation in Spotswood, call my office to speak with a Municipal Court Lawyer.

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A South River DWI lawyer can protect your rights and fight the charges against you. South River is a small town located in western Middlesex County. The police in South River make some DWI and criminal arrests in the borough.

If you are charged with a DUI in South River, there is no need to panic. Changes are you have made a big mistake. People make mistakes. Your life is not over (as some lawyers might have you believe).

However, DWI charges are very serious and you should consult with an experienced attorney. DWI law is always evolving and you should seek out an attorney who keeps abreast of the developments in NJ DWI law.

A third offense DWI in New Jersey carries six months jail mandatory. Up to half of the jail term may be served in an impatient rehab. This must be served on the back-end of the suspension. There is also a ten-year mandatory driver's license suspension.

An interesting legal issue is raised when an individual is facing more than one, third or subsequent offense for drunk driving. Each is punishable by a minimum 6 month jail term. Is has long been held unconstitutional to be sentenced to more than 6 months in jail without a jury trial.

The recent case of State v. Federico held that a defendant may not be sentenced to more that 6 months in jail for charges stemming from a single fact-patten. However, when the defendant is facing more than 6 months in jail for separate incidents, Federico would seem to not apply.

More clarification is needed from the courts on this issue. In the meantime, attorneys should obviously argue that their client can not be sentenced to more than 6 months in jail without a jury trial under any circumstances.

For a second offense, a conviction for a DWI in this state carries a two-year driver's license suspension. There is also a 2 to 90 day mandatory jail sentence. Your attorney may be able to negotiate an agreement where you may serve the 2 days at the Intoxicated Driver's Resource Center rather than in the county jail.

South River Court Lawyer:

South River Court has jurisdiction over any DWI, traffic tickets, or criminal arrests that are made by South River Police. Call to speak with a lawyer before appearing in the South River Municipal Court.

Court Information:

Address: 61 Main Street
South River, NJ 08882

Phone: (732) 257-1233 ext. 128
Fax: (732) 613-6100

The Court can be reached Monday through Friday 9-5. Court is held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 4:30pm. Court is also held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 8:30am.

South River Police make issue a number of tickets each week for charges like speeding, tailgating, careless driving and passing a school bus. South River was once a part of East Brunswick Township. The town was once known as Washington.

If you have been charged with a DWI in South River, your case will be handled by the South River Municipal Court. A South River DWI lawyer can fight the charges and make sure your rights are protected.

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