Criminal Lawyer Asbury Park

For over 20 years, Rispoli & Borneo, P.C.’s Criminal Lawyers in Asbury Park NJ have tenaciously defended clients, and provided them with quality guidance throughout New Jersey’s municipal courts. When you choose a criminal lawyer at Rispoli & Borneo, PC, you know exactly who will handle your case. We work closely with our clients and learn the inner workings of each case, whether you are faced with a minor infraction or a major penalty. Our attorneys will provide you with the strongest possible defense and support throughout your case. Our experienced Asbury Park NJ criminal attorneys possess the knowledge to obtain the best possible plea for you, or skillfully defend you through a trial.

The Municipal Courts handle both traffic violations and criminal matters.

Traffic Violations:

The experienced criminal law attorneys at Rispoli & Borneo, PC are well versed in handling the wide variety of traffic violations including speeding, careless driving, tailgating, driving while suspended, failure to maintain insurance, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence. Our attorneys understand the desire to avoid a plea deal that involves points and are experienced in how to best negotiate a “no point” plea. If a traffic violation cannot be resolved by way of an appropriate plea, our experienced Asbury Park criminal attorneys are zealous advocates in trial.

Criminal Matters:

The criminal matters handled in the New Jersey Municipal Courts include petty disorderly persons offenses, disorderly persons offenses, and fourth degree felonies.  Our experienced criminal attorneys routinely represent clients charged with shoplifting, possession of marijuana, simple assault, and harassment.  Although these matters are handled at the Municipal Court level, and not in Superior Court, clients still face the threat of thousands of dollars in fines, up to 18 months in jail and a criminal record.  Our experienced criminal attorneys also counsel clients on the immigration consequences of a criminal conviction.

What to Expect From Your First Meeting With a Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with a petty crime such as simple assault or possession of marijuana, you can count on your Criminal Lawyer in Asbury Park from Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. to defend you thoroughly with skill and experience. When you initially meet with your attorney, do not feel guarded or afraid. Your attorney is your lifeline. The following is a glimpse of what you can expect as you consult with your criminal defense lawyer.

They Will Ask Specific Questions

Your Criminal Lawyer in Asbury Park will ask many questions from the get-go. Their job is to get the facts on the incident in question. In turn, your job is to tell your story truthfully and in great detail. Your lawyer from Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. will use your take on the matter to construct a strong defense for you.

Do not be afraid that your lawyer will judge you. They are not there to judge your actions or the incident in question. They are your line of defense. Remember that you have attorney-client privilege, which means that anything you say to your lawyer remains confidential.

They Will Need Documentation

• When you meet with your Criminal Lawyer in Asbury Park, be sure to bring any documentation or evidence pertaining to the incident for which you are being charged. This may include:
• Police reports
• Paperwork pertaining to your arrest and bail
• Witness contact information

Relevant video or audio 
Anything you feel may be relevant to your case should be brought to the first meeting with your attorney at Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. Your lawyer will look through your documentation and let you know what can be used in your defense.

They Expect Questions From You

Do not hesitate to ask your criminal attorney any questions you may have. Criminal lawyers expect questions from defendants, because it’s their job to be your advocate and to guide you through the criminal court process. If you are being charged with a crime for the first time, it is especially important for you to ask question. You can ask about the trial, about your attorney’s fees and about how they plan to defend you, for instance.
Your Criminal Lawyer in Asbury Park is prepared to answer any questions, including regarding your defense strategy options. You should discuss whether or not you should enter any plea. Your lawyer can explain any consequences stemming from a guilty plea so that you enter the courtroom as well informed as possible.

Domestic Violence Lawyer – Asbury Park, NJ

Domestic Violence Matters:

Domestic Violence charges often involve court proceedings in both the local Municipal Court and Superior Court.  Local Municipal Courts handle the criminal aspect of the domestic violence proceedings, which typically include harassment, assault and/or terroristic threats.  The Superior Court Family Division handles the Final Restraining Order proceedings.  In almost every domestic violence matter, the alleged victim seeks a Temporary Restraining Order.  In order for the restraining order to become final, the defendant must be afforded an opportunity to be heard before a Superior Court Judge.  The experienced Asbury Park criminal attorneys have years of experience representing clients in Final Restraining Order proceedings throughout the State of New Jersey.

The experienced Criminal Attorneys at Rispoli & Borneo, PC have appeared in Municipal Courts from Teaneck to New Gretna.  Although we have experience and familiarity with the Municipal Courts throughout the state, we most often appear in Asbury Park Municipal Court, Newark Municipal Court, Linden Municipal Court, Roselle Municipal Court, Roselle Park Municipal Court, Rahway Municipal Court, Union Municipal Court, Middletown Municipal Court, Tinton Falls Municipal Court, Eatontown Municipal Court, Hazlet Municipal Court, Perth Amboy Municipal Court, and South Amboy Municipal Court.

If you have received a Criminal Complaint or Traffic Summons, our criminal attorneys can help. Contact Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. today for a free initial consultation.

Criminal Lawyer Asbury Park

The legal firm of Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. has successfully represented many criminal law cases. Our attorneys are here to help. Contact Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. today for a free initial consultation.

3 Types of Affirmative Defenses for Criminal Activity

If you are facing criminal charges, you may want to hire a criminal lawyer Asbury Park residents trust to defend them in a criminal case. There are numerous defenses available to you depending on your situation. It may be in your best interest to consult an Asbury Park criminal lawyer to help fight your case.

Affirmative Defense

Any criminal lawyer Asbury Park trusts may tell you that an affirmative criminal defense is an option depending on your case. An affirmative defense means that you agree you are guilty of the accused act, but additional information should be considered because it may change the nature of the crime. Your criminal lawyer in Asbury Park may go over the evidence for your case and suggest an affirmative defense for you.

Affirmative defenses can be tricky and aren’t right in every situation. Your lawyer may be able to tell you if any of the following defenses may help your case.

1. Self-Defense

Self-defense is an affirmative defense where the defendant admits to the crime but argues that there was no other choice. A popular case example of this is the George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin murder trial. The evidence against Zimmerman was overwhelming, but he pleaded self-defense and his lawyer argued he was attacked by Martin and had no choice but to react and defend himself. Your criminal lawyer Asbury Park turns to for advice may be able to determine rather quickly if self-defense is an option for you.

2. Insanity

The insanity defense is a popularized defense in the movies, but is it effective? In reality, a criminal lawyer Asbury Park residents hire may tell you that insanity isn’t used very often and is actually a difficult defense.

First of all, if you want to use the insanity defense, you are admitting to being guilty of the crime. If the insanity defense is rejected, you may likely be found guilty of the crime. Your attorney has to present strong evidence that you were influenced by a mental defect or disease at the time of the crime and you didn’t understand your actions were wrong.

In many cases, if the insanity defense is accepted, the defendant may receive a lesser sentence than someone who is found guilty of the same crime without the insanity element.

3. Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is an affirmative defense that may function as a loophole. It may be used when the defense lawyer can state that the amount of time the prosecution took to bring charges against the defendant was beyond the statute of limitations. Even though the defendant may have committed the crime, he or she cannot be charged because of the statute of limitations in place.

6 Types of Crimes a Criminal Lawyer May Handle

1. Crimes Against Persons

Crimes against persons include aggravated assault, robbery, rape and murder. These crimes can have severe consequences if you are convicted. People charged with crimes against persons usually can benefit from the services of a criminal lawyer in Asbury Park.

2. Crimes Against Property

Property crimes are less severe than crimes against persons. Examples of property crimes include stealing someone’s property without harming that person, burglary, auto theft, larceny and arson. Penalties for these crimes vary depending on your past criminal history and the value of the property you stole or damaged. Even if the charges against you are relatively minor, you may want to contact a criminal lawyer in Asbury Park to assist you with your defense.

3. Hate Crimes

Hate crimes involve committing a crime against persons or property that involves prejudices based on gender, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or ethnicity. Hate crime laws in New Jersey increase the penalty for hate crimes above and beyond the penalties for those same crimes under other circumstances. As a result, the penalties for these crimes can be quite severe and persons accused of a hate crime should consider hiring a criminal lawyer in Asbury Park.

4. Crimes Against Morality

Crimes against morality are sometimes referred to as “victimless” crimes. Examples of these crimes include prostitution, illegal drug use and illegal gambling. Even though there is no traditional victim involved, you can still face fines and jail time if convicted of these crimes, so you may want to contact an attorney at Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. to assist you.

5. White-Collar Crime

White-collar crimes refer to crimes committed by people of high social status during the course of their employment. Common examples of these crimes include embezzling, tax evasion and insider trading. While the public often views these types of crimes as less serious than others, they can come with severe consequences. If you have been charged with a white-collar crime, you may want to contact an attorney at Rispoli & Borneo, P.C.

6. Organized Crime

Organized crime is crime that is perpetrated by structured groups. These crimes often involve the sale and distribution of illegal goods and services, such as illicit substances or prostitution. The public often associates the Mafia with organized crime, but it can involve other groups, such as drug cartels, weapons smugglers, money launderers or sex traffickers. A common denominator is a group of people who have control over a large illegal operation.

Criminal charges are very serious and for this reason, you may not want to face them alone. They can have serious repercussions that can ruin your life. If you criminal charges have been brought against you, you may want to hire the criminal lawyer Asbury Park residents turn to for a solid defense by calling Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. at (908) 768-3884 today.