Hackensack Criminal Defense Attorney
Hackensack Lawyer for Criminal & DWI Defense
As an experienced criminal defense attorney with offices in Hackensack, I hear from people every day facing fines, jail-time, and the threat of a permanent criminal record. My fellow defense lawyers at The Tormey Law Firm and I simply walk to Hackensack Municipal Court from our office across the street and we aggressively confront the charges our clients face virtually every week. Here’s what I can promise you about myself and the representation that you will receive when you hire The Tormey Law Firm. I am familiar with every possible way to challenge the case against you. I know which strategies work consistently, and how to implement them in the courtroom. I am one of few NJ DWI Attorneys that is certified to operate and therefore Challenge the breath testing device that the police use in DWI charges. There are very few attorneys that can say the same thing. I strongly recommend you take a look at our DWI Defense Strategy Videos or Drug Charge Defense Strategy videos if that is the nature of your charge. My tactics and strategies in the courtroom have allowed me to build relationships with the prosecutors that you are facing. If they know that their case can be dismantled, they are far more likely to negotiate a plea.
Since my office is in Hackensack, I consider this town to be my “home base.” I have great relationships in the area and will put all of my knowledge and experience to work to help minimize or entirely mitigate the consequences you’re facing. Feel free to look around our site for strategy videos and information related to your charges. Otherwise please feel free to contact me at any time, day or night, at (201)-556-1570 for a free consultation. You can also click here to learn more about what makes The Tormey Law Firm different from other lawyers that might take the easy way out on your case.
Charges in Hackensack NJ: Where Will my Case be Handled?
The Hackensack Municipal Court is responsible to handling all traffic offenses, disorderly persons offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and parking tickets issued in the city. Common charges heard in Hackensack Municipal Court include: driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, drug possession and drug paraphernalia, trespassing, criminal mischief, harassment, and possession of a CDS in a motor vehicle. Notably, the municipal court has limited jurisdiction so it does not handle indictable offenses (known as felonies elsewhere), which are sent to the Bergen County Superior Court located down the street. If you are required to appear in Hackensack Municipal Court for a pending case, here is some useful information that you should have prior to your appearance.
215 State Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
The violations window is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm and does not close for lunch. For more information on the Hackensack Municipal Court, please visit their website.
Municipal Court vs. Superior Court Charges in NJ – Trial Before a Judge
If your charges are in Hackensack Municipal Court, this means that your case will be handled by the Hackensack Municipal Prosecutor and the Hackensack Municipal Judge. There are no jury trials in Municipal Court, only in Superior Court. So, if you have traffic offenses or disorderly persons (misdemeanor) criminal charges in Hackensack Court, if you are headed for trial then your trial will be before a Municipal Judge, not a jury. The Judge must determine your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt which is the criminal standard of proof.
The Hackensack Municipal Prosecutor represents the State of NJ in your proceeding. First, the case will be listed for a conference to see if the matter can be resolved without a trial. They will offer you a plea bargain usually which lowers the amount of points you are facing (on traffic violations), fines, and may even dismiss some charges if you plea guilty to other charges. On criminal cases, they may offer you a downgrade of a charge to a lower charge or to even a non criminal offense (known as a municipal ordinance or town ordinance) and you also may be able to apply for a first offender program that can keep the charge off of your record (known as a conditional discharge or conditional dismissal).
If the case is unable to resolve, then the matter will be scheduled for trial. Prior to trial, the prosecutor will provide you (or your lawyer) with the discovery package which is all the evidence the State has and intends to rely upon to prove the charges against you. The evidence package can include the following:
- police reports
- radar documents
- accident reports
- driver’s history abstract
- MVR (videos from the police vehicles)
- Bodycam footage
- Pictures of injuries
- Pictures of damage to property
- Lab results (for drug cases)
- witness statements
- video from store (shoplifting cases)
The State will call witnesses (usually the police officer and potentially others) and admit evidence to try to prove the charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt. You (or your lawyer) will then have an opportunity to cross examine their witnesses and admit your own evidence. You can also testify if you want but there is no obligation to do so. The burden of proof always remains with the State – you do not have to prove anything.
Once both parties are finished, the Judge will rule and render a decision. If you are found guilty, the Judge will impose penalties such as fines, probation, driver’s license suspension, community service and even jail time (in some cases). If you are found not guilty, the case is dismissed.
Criminal Lawyer in Hackensack NJ
If you or a loved one has been arrested in Hackensack, New Jersey, you need to speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer about your rights and possible defense strategies that can be used to get your charges dismissed. The Tormey Law Firm is a team of criminal defense attorneys in Hackensack who have assisted countless people in circumstances like yours. From our office at 245 State Street, we appear in Hackensack Superior Court and Bergen County Superior Court on a weekly basis and have earned a reputation as formidable defense lawyers in the area. To speak with an experienced Hackensack criminal lawyer about your case, contact us at (201)-556-1570 or message us online to arrange an appointment at our local office.
