Experienced Felony Attorney in Union County, NJ
In New Jersey, felony offenses are the most serious charges anyone can face. From Elizabeth to Summit and Kenilworth to Mountainside, Union County is no stranger to felony crimes. A felony charge has the ability to completely upend your life, and the penalties you may face if convicted can threaten your basic rights and freedoms. When dealing with charges of this nature, turn to the experienced legal representation of a Union County NJ felony lawyer.
Since 2006, The Law Offices of Jared B. Weiss has been serving clients across Union County who are facing felony charges. We are committed to pursuing the most favorable outcome possible in your case by building a strategic defense that is tailored to your needs. Our firm is led by a New Jersey Certified Municipal Court Trial Attorney who is ready to guide you through every step of the legal process involved in your felony offense case.
Common Felony Charges Our Firm Handles
According to one study, of all the crimes convicted in New Jersey, around 57.09% are felonies. Felonies are broken into different degrees or classifications, each with its own penalties. Understanding the felony charge you are facing is vital to building a defense that can work to maintain your innocence.
In New Jersey, felony charges are vastly different from misdemeanors. The key differences include the following:
- Severity of penalties. In Union County, New Jersey, a felony charge will carry a more severe penalty than a misdemeanor. It typically will involve higher fines and longer prison sentences.
- Trial procedures. Felonies will often go through a longer and more complicated trial process in Union County, often heard at the Union County Superior Court, located at 2 Broad St in Elizabeth.
- Long-term impacts. Individuals convicted of a felony crime will typically face more severe and long-lasting consequences. The impact of a permanent criminal record will likely affect their housing and job opportunities in the future.
Whether you are a resident of Garwood or Berkeley Heights, the most common felonies seen in Union County and handled by our dedicated firm include the following:
- Fraud. Though white collar crimes are typically non-violent, they can still be considered felonies. The most common kinds of fraud or white collar crimes include embezzlement, which can result in a first-degree felony charge; bank fraud; wire or mail fraud; insurance fraud; healthcare fraud; and internet fraud. It can also include acts of money laundering, bribery, and tax fraud.
- Sex crimes. Sex crimes in Union County are taken seriously by state and federal prosecutors. The most common kinds of sex crimes can include sexual battery, rape, statutory rape, lewd conduct, child pornography, computer sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender, lascivious molestation, indecent exposure, prostitution, voyeurism, and solicitation.
- Violent crimes. Union County currently sees a violent crime rate of 2.087 per 1,000 residents. Violent crimes can include charges of sexual assault, robbery, carjacking, domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, assault and battery, and murder. Penalties for a felony conviction of these crimes can include losing your right to bear arms and vote, along with prison time and fines.
- Drug crimes. Drug crimes in Union County can encompass a wide range of charges and substances. Often, these charges will include the trafficking, illegal use, cultivation, distribution, possession, and manufacture of controlled and illegal substances. Substances might include marijuana, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. You can also be charged for simply owning drug paraphernalia.
- Murder. One of the most serious felony charges you can face in Union County is murder. However, there are several legal defenses your attorney can use to fight the charges, including a lack of intent, acting in defense of yourself or others, being mentally unstable, or accidental death.
- Kidnapping. A person can be charged with kidnapping in Union County if they unlawfully remove another individual from their location for the purpose of holding that person for ransom or as a hostage. You can also be charged with kidnapping if a victim is removed from their home or work for bodily injury to be inflicted upon them or to deprive a parent or guardian of custody.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Jared B. Weiss?
Since 2006, Jared B. Weiss has been representing clients across Union County facing serious indictable offenses, including fraud, violent crimes, drug offenses, and gun crimes. As a New Jersey Certified Municipal Court Trial Attorney, Jared works directly with every client — not a paralegal or junior associate — providing honest, accurate, and competent representation from arrest through final resolution.
Penalties for Felony Charges in Union County
Offenses of a felony nature in Union County are severely punished. Depending on the nature and degree of your charge, you can face the following penalties:
- First-degree penalties. These are the most serious charges anyone can face in all of New Jersey. They come with the most devastating consequences. You could face imprisonment for anywhere between 10 and 20 years and excessive fines, as well as probation and a permanent criminal record, which can affect the opportunities you have in the future. Crimes can include murder or aggravated sexual assault.
- Second-degree penalties. This is the second-highest tier of serious criminal charges in Union County. Second-degree felonies include offenses such as arson and certain drug crimes. A judge can sentence individuals convicted of a second-degree felony to anywhere from five to 10 years in prison.
- Third-degree penalties. Third-degree felonies include a large range of offenses, such as terror threats or aggravated assault. Facing a conviction of this nature can result in a sentence of three to five years in prison, along with fines and a permanent criminal record.
- Fourth-degree penalties. This is the lowest tier of felony offenses in Union County, but the penalties are still severe. You may face up to 18 months in prison, as well as fines and a permanent criminal record. Crimes might include forgery, stalking, or shoplifting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Felony Charges in Union County
How Long Can You Go to Jail for a Felony in Union County, NJ?
The length of a prison sentence for a felony in Union County depends on the degree of the charge. A first-degree indictable offense, such as murder or aggravated sexual assault, can result in 10 to 20 years in prison. Second-degree felonies, such as arson or certain drug offenses, carry sentences of five to ten years. Third-degree felonies can result in three to five years, and fourth-degree felonies carry up to 18 months. In many cases, New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA) requires individuals to serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Can a Felony Charge in New Jersey Be Reduced or Dismissed?
In some cases, yes. Depending on the facts of your case, a Union County felony attorney may be able to pursue a reduced charge through plea negotiations, challenge unlawfully obtained evidence through a suppression motion, or explore eligibility for a pre-trial intervention (PTI) program if you are a first-time offender. The outcome of any case depends on its specific circumstances, but having an experienced attorney involved early in the process gives you the best chance of a favorable result.
What Should I Do if I Am Charged With a Felony in Union County?
If you are charged with a felony in Union County, the most important thing you can do is contact a criminal defense attorney before speaking with law enforcement. Many people unknowingly make statements early in the process that are later used against them in court. An experienced Union County felony lawyer can protect your rights from the moment of your arrest, help you understand your options, and build a defense strategy tailored to the specifics of your case. The Law Offices of Jared B. Weiss has been serving clients across Union County since 2006 and is ready to help you through every step of the process.
Speak With a Trusted, Dedicated Felony Lawyer in Union County
If you are dealing with felony charges in Union County, do not wait to reach out to a felony defense lawyer. The charges you are facing cannot be more serious, and you need an attorney who is ready to do whatever it takes to protect your rights and freedoms. The Law Offices of Jared B. Weiss is here to offer you competent and accurate legal counsel, whatever your case involves. Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation.
