New Jersey Kidnapping Attorneys

Staunch Legal Advocates, Dedicated to Fighting Serious Charges for Our Clients

In New Jersey, Kidnapping is one of the most serious crimes that a person can be charged with. It’s codified in N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1 and is punishable as a first-degree offense and subject to a term from 15 to 30 years and to life imprisonment (in some circumstances)  — a prison sentence in line with those served by murder suspects. If you’re hoping to avoid a lengthy prison sentence, your best option may be to seek assistance from a New Jersey kidnapping lawyer.

At The Bianchi Law Group, our dedicated legal team understands what you’re up against. Being charged with a criminal offense is a scary situation, and you’re likely unsure of how to move forward. Luckily, this isn’t a situation you have to navigate by yourself. Whether the accusations against you involved a child custody dispute or claims of sexual assault against a stranger, you’re entitled to a proper legal defense. Contact us today to discuss your case during a free consultation.

Why Should You Hire Former Prosecutors?

The Bianchi Law Group is made up of a team of former trial prosecutors who have handled the investigations and prosecutions of most crimes in New Jersey. They will defend you for all federal and state crimes in New Jersey, including kidnapping. When you’re facing kidnapping charges — regardless of whether aggravating factors (e.g., intent to inflict bodily injury) occur — the prosecution is going to come down on you hard. Whether you’re charged with a first-degree or second-degree crime, government attorneys often aim for the maximum sentence.

You need someone who knows how the other side works. It’s rare for a New Jersey kidnapping defense attorney to have such insight, but that’s exactly what we offer at The Bianchi Law Group. Put simply, our law firm knows how prosecutors think — because that’s what we used to be. We know the system from all sides, so we’re ready to provide you with an aggressive defense that protects your legal rights.

How Much Experience Does Our Firm Have?

Founding Partner and Former Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi has returned to private practice after running the operations of the entire Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, having served as the Morris County Prosecutor for 5 and 1/2 years (2007-2013). Mr. Bianchi was appointed as the Morris County Prosecutor by the Governor of the State of New Jersey and unanimously confirmed by the New Jersey Senate in 2007.

While serving as the Morris County Prosecutor, Mr. Bianchi ran the entire office’s operations, including all of its attorneys, detectives, and support staff, with a budget of approximately 11 million dollars. His innovative programs and approach have led to numerous awards from State, Local, Municipal, business, and private entities. Robert Bianchi served on the Executive Board of the County Prosecutors’ Association and was one of the few prosecutors in many years to actually argue cases, motions, and sentences in court.

He also tried a murder case himself, which is extremely rare for a sitting county prosecutor.

Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys by the New Jersey Supreme Court

Partners Robert A. Bianchi and David J. Bruno are also both certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Criminal Trial Attorneys.

The New Jersey Supreme Court has a certification committee that classifies certain New Jersey Lawyers as Certified Trial Attorneys. The process requires the prospective attorneys to satisfy strict criteria, including extensive jury trials, a primary focus on criminal law, an application submission, a peer review process, a character and background check, and passing a written examination.

Only 250 of over 98,000 lawyers (less than 1%) are designated as certified criminal trial attorneys by the New Jersey Supreme Court. This should be a crucial factor in finding a New Jersey criminal defense attorney to represent you. Many New Jersey Lawyers describe themselves as trial attorneys but most do not have the New Jersey Court’s distinction as Certified Criminal Trial Attorney.

Kidnapping Penalties in New Jersey

Kidnapping is a crime of the first degree, and upon conviction thereof, a person may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment between 15 and 30 years in New Jersey State prison. N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1. If the actor releases the victim unharmed and in a safe place prior to apprehension, it is a crime of the second degree, where the defendant may be sentenced to up to 10 years in New Jersey State prison. There may be circumstances where a kidnapping in New Jersey will be considered a first-degree crime, and may be sentenced to life in prison when the victim is 16 years or under and the actor committed sexual crimes against that victim.

Crimes in the second-degree range can be punishable from 5 years to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. The Sentencing judge may also order fines and restitution as prescribed by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-3 and possibly penalties assessed against sex offenders as prescribed by N.J.S.A. 2C:14-10 (if applicable) for all convictions for kidnapping in our state. Clearly, no prison sentence should be taken lightly — but a kidnapping conviction under New Jersey law will have lasting and devastating consequences. Fortunately, you don’t have to take on the system alone.

Whether you’re facing charges under state or federal kidnapping laws, our law firm is here to help.

What Are the Best Legal Defenses for New Jersey Kidnapping Charges?

When someone allegedly unlawfully removes a person from a place or unlawfully confines an individual, they have a tough road ahead of them. However, there’s no such thing as a “slam dunk” case in the legal system. There are often various legal defense strategies that can exonerate the accused. The following are some of the most common defenses utilized by kidnapping lawyers in New Jersey:

• Mistaken identity
• Lack of intent
• Parental rights defense (for parental kidnapping cases)
• Consent of the alleged victim
• Unlawful arrest or procedural errors
• Constitutional violations
• No significant confinement or removal

Whether the alleged kidnapped party lied about what happened or the police violated your rights, the simple fact is that establishing reasonable doubt is all that’s necessary. Our law firm will fight to ensure you get a fair outcome. This may sometimes mean having charges dropped from the start, but it might also be necessary to go to trial or engage in plea negotiations. Let us review your case, and we’ll help you understand the ideal path forward.

Contact Our Trial Ready New Jersey Kidnapping Lawyers

Like in all of our cases handled at the Bianchi Law Group, our experienced team of former prosecutors  are there to make sure the Government can prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. If our attorneys cannot resolve the case with a dismissal or a fair and just plea bargain, our lawyers at The Bianchi Law Group will not hesitate to select a jury and take the case to trial. That is what we do and what distinguishes us from other attorneys.

We are former prosecutors, trial-tested, and certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as certified criminal trial attorneys. We will not hesitate to go to trial if it’s the right decision to secure a favorable outcome for our clients. At The Bianchi Law Group, we will take care to provide you with serious attorneys for serious cases. When you need an experienced New Jersey kidnapping defense attorney on your side, our law firm is here to help.

Contact us at (862) 292-4442 for your free consultation. When you work with our firm, you’ll have a staunch legal advocate who won’t stand idly by as the government attempts to permanently deprive you of freedoms.