NJ Gun Crimes Lawyer
Helping Clients Stay Out of Prison for Handgun Charges in New Jersey
New Jersey gun laws are some of the toughest in the country, subjecting those arrested on even minor weapons offenses to many years in prison. Your life could be destroyed by a gun crime conviction – even if you are a first-time offender. That is why anyone charged with illegal possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of a weapon, or any other gun crime in New Jersey needs a knowledgeable NJ gun crimes lawyer handling their criminal defense. More than that, if you have been charged with a gun crime in NJ, you need an accomplished attorney who understands how prosecutors think and who can anticipate exactly what the prosecution will do in your NJ weapons offense case.
Do you face gun charges in Hackensack, Paramus, Fort Lee, or anywhere else in New Jersey? Contact gun crimes attorney Frank T. Luciano now to get the strong criminal defense you deserve.
What Are the Most Common Gun Crime Charges in NJ?
Frank T. Luciano is a skilled New Jersey criminal defense lawyer with extensive experience representing clients in weapons offense cases. Mr. Luciano helps clients fight all types of NJ gun crime charges, including:
- Unlawful possession of a weapon
- Illegal possession of a handgun
- Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
- Certain persons offenses
- Graves Act offenses
- Weapons forfeiture violations
- Weapons forfeiture hearings
- Illegal possession of an assault firearm
- Imitation firearms
- BB guns, Airsoft guns, paintball guns
- Handgun permit or license violations
- Unlawful disposition of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of a firearm on school grounds
- Illegal sale or transfer of a firearm
- Illegal transport of a weapon
- Federal weapons charges
- Possession of illegal ammunition
- Armed robbery
- Juvenile weapons charges
How Severe Are the Penalties for Gun Crimes in New Jersey?
The difference between being charged with a disorderly persons offense (i.e., misdemeanor) or criminal (i.e., felony) weapons offense in New Jersey is significant. NJ gun crimes are classified as a crime, as opposed to a disorderly persons offense. This means that the gun cases are heard by either a judge or jury in the Superior Court – and the consequences of a conviction can be devastating for the defendant. The New Jersey Graves Act dictates that a person convicted of certain gun crime charges is subject to a mandatory minimum term of incarceration in NJ state prison, as well as heavy fines and a criminal record that can be difficult to expunge. By contrast, a conviction for a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey often results in no jail time and relatively minor fines.
Here is a breakdown of the degrees and penalties that a defendant could potentially face in a New Jersey weapons crime case:
- First Degree Crime: 10-20 years in prison
- Second Degree Crime: 5-10 years in prison
- Third Degree Crime: 3-5 years in prison
The good news is that a veteran NJ criminal defense attorney may be able to get your gun crime charges downgraded or even dismissed entirely. Depending on the exact charge you face and the specific facts and circumstances of your weapons offense case, it might be possible to persuade the prosecutor to reduce the gun crime charges to a lesser offense, to negotiate probation instead of jail time, or to get you admitted into a diversionary program like Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) that eventually removes the charges from your permanent record. In the best case, it might be possible to get the criminal charges against you dismissed before trial. Anyone charged with a gun crime in New Jersey should speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to explore all their legal options. (And it is important to talk to an attorney before making any statements to the prosecutor or police.)
How to Challenge Your Paramus Gun Crime Charges
Whether you’ve been charged with a criminal weapons offense under New Jersey law or a federal gun crime under federal law, the consequences of a conviction could be life altering. You may be looking at a lengthy period of incarceration, heavy monetary penalties, a permanent criminal record, and other costs that include loss of your job, home, and family. It is crucial that you speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney who possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of both NJ gun crime laws and federal gun crime laws.
New Jersey gun crimes lawyer Frank T. Luciano has decades of experience providing aggressive criminal defense for individuals who have been charged with NJ weapons offenses like illegal possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain persons offenses. He is a longtime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, as well as other criminal law associations in New Jersey. When you hire Mr. Luciano for your gun crime case, his top priority will be helping you beat your charges. For a better understanding of what you can expect from Mr. Luciano, visit the Client Testimonials section on this website.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Fort Lee Gun Crimes Attorney Frank T. Luciano
Have you been arrested and charged with a gun crime in New Jersey? Then it is absolutely imperative that you have an experienced gun crimes attorney on your side and helping you to stay out of prison. Frank T. Luciano has represented these clients throughout the state, including Bergen County, Passaic County, and Hudson County. Call or email Mr. Luciano today to discuss your NJ gun crime case and start building a winning defense.