If you have been charged with a violent crime in Haddonfield, Camden, and Camden County, or anywhere else in South Jersey, you deserve an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney. You deserve the Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC.
Types of Violent Crimes in Haddonfield
In 2017, more than 1.2 million violent crimes were reported across the United States, including more than 17,000 murders. We help to defend people charged with violent crimes including:
Assault – In New Jersey, there are two types of assault. Simple assault can include negligence, or an unsuccessful attempt to harm another person. Aggravated assault is the more serious charge which involves harming another person on purpose.- Robbery – Robbery is stealing another person’s property while using force or a weapon. This includes carjacking, armed robbery, and jewelry theft, among other types of theft.
- Domestic Violence – This type of violent crime occurs between two members of the same household or between two romantic partners and can include sexual violence, harassment, assault, trespassing, and murder.
- Manslaughter – Manslaughter is reckless behavior that results in death. The most common example of this is when someone drives drunk and causes an accident where someone dies.
- Murder – All types of murder, planned and unplanned, is first-degree crime in New Jersey. This is the most serious crime on this list and carries a penalty of 30 years or more in prison.
Authorities in Haddonfield and elsewhere in South Jersey take violent crimes very seriously, and anyone who is charged with a violent crime will face severe penalties if they are convicted. This is why it’s so important to speak with an experienced violent crimes attorney if you have been charged with a violent crime. An attorney can guide you through the complexities of your legal case and fully defend your rights in court.
Violent Crimes Penalties
If you are convicted of a violent crime in Haddonfield or elsewhere in New Jersey, the penalty might range from spending a few months in jail to spending the rest of your life in prison. And no matter what type of violent crime you’ve been charged with, you could end up facing more than just time in jail. In addition to time behind bars, a violent crime conviction might also result in:
- The court requires you to pay fines and penalties
- Being sentenced to probation
- Losing your job
- Losing your house or being forced to move
- Facing public stigma, including difficulty finding employment or housing
- Losing custody of your children
Having a lawyer you trust on your side can make an enormous difference in terms of the penalty you might face if you are convicted. The Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC has more than 25 years of experience defending and protecting criminal defendants’ rights. We encourage you to read about what our past clients have to say about us in their own words.
Effects of a Violent Crimes Conviction
Time in jail or prison and a criminal record can seriously derail your life, including your freedom, your family, and your ability to work.
Public defenders are often overworked and don’t have the time to dedicate the kind of careful consideration an experienced criminal defense firm like the Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC can offer. The decision to hire a criminal defense attorney can literally make a difference for the rest of your life.
Violent Crimes Defenses
If you choose to hire us to defend you, our goal is to defend your case to the best of our ability and get you the best resolution possible. We work diligently to negotiate a settlement with the state to either drop the case or bring a lesser charge. If the case goes to trial, we fight hard to get a not guilty verdict from the jury.
We do this by working with you and gaining a complete understanding of the facts of your case. Depending on the facts of the case, we might present defenses such as:
- You acted in self-defense
- You were impaired
- Your actions did not meet the intent required under the law
- You were not sane at the time of the crime
- You were acting in the heat of passion
While none of these defenses will automatically get your case dropped, they can be important in negotiations with the prosecutor to resolve your case. This generally results in pleading guilty to a lesser crime with reduced or no jail time.
While this may sound appealing, there are many factors to consider and we always discuss possible settlement options with our clients before accepting or rejecting them. We only take a settlement when it’s right for our clients and their specific situation.
Why You Shouldn’t Defend Yourself
Defending yourself against a violent crime charge is not easy and we do not recommend that anyone attempt to do so, even if they know something about the law.
To defend yourself in court, you must understand all of the legal elements of the crime you’re charged with, which can confuse even the most seasoned attorneys. You must also understand the defenses you’re allowed to provide and what standard the jury will use to decide whether or not you are guilty.
It’s not nearly as simple as “I didn’t do it.”
You must prepare to defend yourself within the rules and confines of New Jersey law. The best way for you to make sure your criminal defense case is handled competently is to hire a trusted Haddonfield criminal defense lawyer.
Do You Face Criminal Charges in Haddonfield? Contact Us Today
If you choose to work with us, we’ll meet with you to discuss your case, the crime you’re charged with, and hear your story. We’ll conduct our own investigation, speak with witnesses, review medical records, negotiate with the prosecutor, file motions, and work aggressively and quickly to protect your rights.
You deserve skilled and experienced criminal defense representation. Don’t just hire a lawyer. Make sure you have a criminal defense lawyer who has experience defending people who have been charged with similar crimes standing beside you and fighting for you to make sure your rights are protected. By choosing a firm with over 25 years of experience defending clients just like you, you gain access to a wealth of experience and knowledge that is put toward aggressively defending your case.
The state is moving forward with your case and the longer you take to hire a lawyer, the more of an advantage the prosecutor may gain. Don’t delay another day. Contact the Law Offices of Matthew V. Portella online or by calling (856) 310-9800 today.