New Jersey Municipal Court Attorneys

Preventing Minor Offenses From Derailing Our Clients’ Lives

New Jersey state law is a bit unique compared to other states. There are different categories of criminal acts that can make defending yourself against charges a challenging endeavor. However, the Garden State is similar in the fact that Municipal offenses are heard in Municipal Court. While the county prosecutor’s office might try to convince you that a conviction in municipal court will carry no major repercussions, the truth is that they’re simply trying to speed things along. Don’t play their game by their rules. A New Jersey Municipal Court lawyer will be able to assist.

At The Bianchi Law Group, you’ll work with a team of aggressive legal advocates who will not stop fighting for you. There are former prosecutors on our team, and this means your legal representation has in-depth insight into the inner workings of the system. We’ll fight to ensure the Municipal Court’s decision is favorable for you. From simple assault to reckless driving and any other accusation with the potential for fines and county jail time — we’re here to fight for you.
Contact us today for your free consultation.

What Offenses Are Municipal Court Offenses?

Municipal Court offenses, including disorderly persons and petty disorderly offenses are often considered to be “quasi-criminal,” because they can range from certain traffic offenses to minor “offenses” that can be found in the Criminal Code. Even still, offenses in Municipal Court can have severe consequences, including DMV points, hefty fines, loss of your driver’s license, insurance surcharges, license suspension, and jail sentences.

You also must know that despite the fact that these municipal court cases sound minor, you are still entitled to many of the same protections you have in criminal matters. Most importantly, you are still entitled to the presumption of innocence, and the municipal prosecutor has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If they’re unable to meet this burden, then the law requires that charges for the alleged offense be dismissed — or otherwise disposed of at trial.

What Are Disorderly Persons Offenses?

New Jersey Municipal Courts frequently hear cases involving disorderly persons offenses. These are considered less serious crimes — similar to misdemeanor offenses in other states — and are categorized as either Disorderly Persons (DP) Offenses or Petty Disorderly Persons (PDP) Offenses. The latter is a less severe charge. A DP conviction can lead to significant fines, community service, probation, and up to six months in jail. PDP convictions also carry hefty fines, but potential jail time is reduced to 30 days.

While such outcomes may seem minor compared to more serious offenses, the reality is that potential repercussions are still frequently disruptive. With most Americans drowning in debt, fines can hinder their ability to pay for what they really need. Also, imagine what being removed from your life for a single month could do. And even for those who are able to escape incarceration, having these legal matters show up on background checks and online searches can cause major issues.

Fortunately, this is not a reality you have to accept. Contact our Municipal Court lawyers in New Jersey today for a free consultation.

Experience with Police Investigations

Because the partners at The Bianchi Law Group, LLC were former prosecutors, they know how the police operate, how detectives investigate cases, and how to best defend against complaints and tickets filed against their clients. When they were prosecutors, the partners at The Bianchi Law Group, LLC had supervisory authority over every municipal police department. They learned the procedures and training police use every day.

This experience provides the partners at The Bianchi Law Group, LLC, with intimate and unique knowledge. That insight, combined with extensive trial experience, enables the attorneys at The Bianchi Law Group to deliver outstanding representation to their Municipal Court clients. From traffic tickets to Municipal Code violations — and even minor drug crimes — our experience with police tactics and strategies gives us an advantage that most New Jersey Municipal Court attorneys don’t have.

Experience & Accolades of Our Partners at The Bianchi Law Group, LLC

Founding Partner Bob Bianchi has earned the distinction of having served as the Morris County Prosecutor. In that capacity, Bob was the chief law enforcement officer for the entire county, overseeing hundreds of lawyers, support staff, and law enforcement officers. He also has been designated by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, of which there are only 250 in the entire State. With over thirty years of criminal law experience, Bob brings insights and experience that can only be won in the courtroom.

Partner Dave Bruno is a former Assistant Prosecutor who has been involved in every kind of criminal investigation: homicide cases, fraud cases, vehicular homicide, assault, and drug cases. Put simply, he’s handled many serious criminal cases — but his knowledge of Municipal Court cases is also expansive. Like Bob, Dave is a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney. As a result of these experiences, Dave stands ready to defend you in your municipal case. Our New Jersey Municipal Court lawyers may be able to resolve things with no court appearance required on your part.
Every situation is different, though, so it’s important to let us review your case. We offer free consultations, so there’s no risk in reaching out today.

The Benefit of Working with Trial-Ready Municipal Court Attorneys

Facing a municipal charge is stressful. You may feel alone in the courtroom, and the municipal prosecutor is not there to help you. You might also find yourself thinking that you can handle the municipal case alone – but you should know that municipal matters are more complex than you may realize. Like in criminal cases, there are investigations, witness testimony, and arguments from a municipal prosecutor who has been strategizing their case against you. Court procedures, evidentiary rules, and the potential for jail time make “going it alone” 100% inadvisable.

The attorneys at The Bianchi Law Group, LLC know how to handle these situations. We will investigate your municipal case to the fullest and uncover shortcomings in the State’s theories. When presenting our findings and position to the municipal prosecutor, we will be direct and professional in negotiating the best outcome possible for you. In other words, we will attack the case against you with the same tactics, strategies, and aggressiveness we bring to the criminal courtroom. The Bianchi Law Group, LLC is composed of a team of former prosecutors who will be your champion in your municipal matter.

Recommended Next Steps in Your Municipal Matter

Unlike many issues heard in New Jersey Superior Court, most Municipal cases move quickly. The courts do not want to spend significant time on traffic offenses, minor drug offenses, and other quasi-criminal matters. They want to move you through the system as quickly as possible. However, you should not allow them to rush you. It cannot be overstated that convictions under municipal ordinances can carry significant consequences, including incarceration. Your first step should be remaining silent, but equally important is getting in touch with New Jersey municipal court lawyers who can help.

You do not want to wait to hire a skilled team of New Jersey criminal defense attorneys. For the most effective defense, your team needs time to rapidly investigate and strategize your matter. That background in your case will help the team connect with the municipal prosecutor and move the matter toward resolution. Our legal team will work to secure a fair outcome on your behalf — and it’s not uncommon for our clients to have charges dismissed or deferred entirely. However, the state will not always treat you fairly. In these instances, we can take your case before a Municipal Court judge.

Do not delay. Procrastination can create serious difficulties in your case. Our dedicated team of attorneys is on standby and ready to assist now. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.

Contact Our New Jersey Municipal Court Lawyers Today

Getting caught up in the criminal justice system is a stressful situation. Whether a person is accused of homicide or petty disorderly persons offenses, fear is always present. When people are dragged into Municipal Court for seemingly minor crimes, they often believe that their best option is to simply plead guilty and move on with their lives. It’s only later that they realize just how drastically a criminal record can affect their future. Even traffic violations can result in years of repercussions — ranging from higher insurance rates to the loss of your license. Put simply, there’s no such thing as a “minor crime.”

At The Bianchi Law Group, our New Jersey Municipal Court lawyers are here to help. While a guilty plea may be the right decision in certain circumstances, it’s critical to work out a fair deal before accepting any agreement. It’s also important to remember that plea negotiations are frequently overused in Municipal Court, and prosecutors may threaten increased charges to scare you into accepting an unfair deal. Don’t fall into this trap. If you’re accused of Municipal Code violations, you need legal representation who’s more focused on your future than a quick resolution.
Contact us at (862) 292-4442 today to schedule your free consultation.