Increased Penalties for Domestic Violence
In the last five (5) years, the potential penalties for certain acts of domestic violence, specifically, strangulation, have increased significantly. Prior to 2017, an allegation of strangulation could have been deemed a misdemeanor and punishable by up to six (6) months in the county jail. Since then, the conduct of strangulation has twice been amended. Now, strangulation is now a…
Alec Baldwin Charged with Death of Movie Crewmember – Three Things You Should Know
Three things you should know On January 31, 2023, the District Attorney for Sante Fe County, New Mexico, announced that Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of a cinematographer on the set of the movie “Rust” on October 21, 2021. Two (2) other crewmembers, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and first assistant director, Dave Halls,…
John S. Sitzler, Esquire Joins Rosenberg Perry
The criminal and DWI/DUI defense law firm of Rosenberg Perry & Associates is pleased to announce that trial lawyer and counselor John S. Sitzler has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Mr. Sitzler brings over forty (40) years of litigation and trial experience to Rosenberg Perry with a focus on representing individuals charged with DWI/DUI and criminal matters. Mr. Sitzler has…
Routine Traffic Stops & Your Rights In New Jersey
The phrase “routine traffic stop” is anything but routine or simple to drivers and their occupants. From the moment an officer sets their eyes on a vehicle to after the vehicle is stopped these sequences are riddled with legal complexities. Having an experienced defense lawyer involved in the process of examining the lawfulness of your motor vehicle stop and protecting…
NYSRPA v. Bruen: The Supreme Court Gun Case and the Effect on New Jersey Gun Laws
The Decision – NYSRPA v. Bruen Prior to the decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, the State of New York made it a crime to possess a firearm without a license. Pursuant to New York’s Penal Code § 400.00(2)(f), an individual who wanted to carry a firearm outside their home could (in theory) obtain an…
Common Defenses in DUI Cases
A DUI conviction in New Jersey can bring serious and long-lasting consequences, including the suspension of your driver’s license, high fines, and even jail time. Having an experienced DUI defense lawyer raise all available defenses to the charges can be crucial to avoiding these and other unwanted repercussions. A variety of defenses may apply to your DUI cases, some more…
Should I Go to Trial or Accept a Plea Agreement?
When you are facing criminal charges of any type, you will have to decide at some point whether to go to trial on the charges or to accept a plea agreement from the prosecutor. In most cases, a prosecutor will offer a plea agreement to resolve a case. On the other hand, the prosecutor may be uncertain of a positive…
What Happens if I Violate the Terms of My Probation or Parole?
If you are convicted of a criminal offense, you may be placed on probation for a period. In some cases, this is the best possible outcome for your case. A sentence of probation allows you to serve your sentence without being incarcerated, which has its advantages. You can still live at home and work to support yourself and your family…
When Can Police Legally Make a “Protective Sweep” of Your Home Without a Warrant?
The 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is one of your most important rights as a U.S. citizen, especially concerning criminal cases. Under this amendment, you have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. As a result, police officers generally must have a warrant before searching your person, vehicle, or home. Unfortunately, however, all too often, police…
Should I Try to Explain My Side of the Story to Police?
Many people ask whether they should try to explain their side of the story to the police when they are arrested or accused of committing a criminal offense. Of course, wanting to set the record straight and clear your name is a normal human reaction to this situation. However, it is almost NEVER a good idea to try and explain…
Collateral Consequences of DUI Convictions
Everyone is aware that if you are convicted of DUI in New Jersey, you can face criminal penalties that may be severe, even for a first-time offense. For example, you will face a license suspension, you may have to serve a term on probation and meet certain conditions, you might have to pay a fine, and you may have to…
Aggravating and Mitigating Factors in Sentencing
If you are convicted of a crime in New Jersey, you are sentenced in accordance with the penalties and consequences set forth in the criminal code. While each crime is categorized by degree and has a range of proposed penalties, the sentencing Judge is required by law to consider more than just the charge and conviction. The criminal code outlines…