Aiello Harris
Watchung, NJ
Serving central New Jersey since 1955 from several offices.
Criminal DefensePersonal InjuryWorkers' Compensation+7
Criminal Defense lawyers in New Jersey
DWI, municipal court, drug charges and serious crimes.
How criminal defense works in New Jersey
Criminal defense lawyers represent people charged with offenses ranging from traffic and municipal court matters to serious indictable crimes. They review the evidence, challenge police procedure and negotiate or try the case.
New Jersey calls felonies indictable crimes and graded them by degree. Lesser charges, called disorderly persons offenses, are heard in municipal court. DWI is a traffic offense in New Jersey, but it still carries serious consequences.
Questions to ask a lawyer
- Have you appeared in this court before?
- Does your fee cover a trial if one is needed?
- Am I a candidate for a diversion program?
Guides for this practice area
First DWI in New Jersey: penalties, interlock and what happens next
In New Jersey, a first DWI is a motor vehicle offense handled in municipal court, not a crime, but the penalties are real: fines of $250 to $500, 12 to 48 hours at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, a $1,000 yearly insurance surcharge for three years, and possible jail of up to 30 days. Since the 2019 law took effect, most first offenders install an ignition interlock device instead of facing a long license suspension. Refusing a breath test carries similar penalties.
5 min read
Charged with shoplifting in New Jersey: penalties and options
In New Jersey, shoplifting is graded by the full retail value of the merchandise under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11. Under $200 is a disorderly persons offense heard in municipal court; $200 and up is an indictable crime handled in Superior Court. Many first-time defendants may be eligible for diversion like conditional dismissal or PTI, and stores can separately demand civil payment whether or not you are convicted.
5 min read
Drug possession charges in New Jersey after cannabis legalization
Since February 2021, adults in New Jersey can legally possess up to six ounces of marijuana, and possessing that amount is no longer any kind of offense. Possessing other controlled dangerous substances like cocaine, heroin or pills without a prescription is still generally a third degree crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10. First-time defendants may qualify for diversion like conditional discharge or PTI, and past marijuana cases were largely vacated.
5 min read
Common questions
This is general information, not legal advice.
38 criminal defense firms in New Jersey
Archer & Greiner, P.C.
Voorhees, NJ
A South Jersey based firm with 175+ attorneys in nine offices and more than 90 years of history.
LitigationBusiness & CorporateBankruptcy+13
Rockaway injury firm led by a Spanish speaking attorney, handling car crashes, falls, work injuries and wrongful death.
Personal InjuryWorkers' CompensationCriminal Defense+1
Brach Eichler LLC
Roseland, NJ
Founded in 1967, with a large healthcare law practice and offices in NJ, NY, FL and GA.
HealthcareReal EstateLitigation+11
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Roseland, NJ
A regional firm of more than 200 attorneys with offices in Roseland and New York.
Real EstateMunicipal & Land UseLitigation+10
A divorce and family law firm handling custody, parenting time, mediation and domestic violence matters.
Family LawCriminal DefenseEmployment+1
Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf LLP
Saddle Brook, NJ
Saddle Brook firm since 1924 with a deep family law team, plus injury, criminal, estate and real estate work.
Family LawPersonal InjuryCriminal Defense+7
Cole Schotz P.C.
Hackensack, NJ
Founded in 1926 and marking its 100th year in 2026, best known nationally for corporate restructuring.
BankruptcyReal EstateBusiness & Corporate+7
Connell Foley LLP
Roseland, NJ
Founded in 1938, with strong commercial litigation and insurance coverage practices.
LitigationBusiness & CorporateReal Estate+10
Downtown Phillipsburg firm since 1949 for workers' comp, Social Security disability, injury claims, wills and real estate.
Workers' CompensationPersonal InjuryEstate Planning+3
FBT Gibbons LLP
Newark, NJ
Formed in January 2026 when Newark's Gibbons combined with Frost Brown Todd, creating a firm of nearly 800 lawyers in 25 offices.
Business & CorporateLitigationBankruptcy+8
Gebhardt & Kiefer, P.C.
Annandale, NJ
Hunterdon County's largest firm, founded in 1884, for injury, divorce, estates, real estate, employment and criminal matters.
Personal InjuryFamily LawEstate Planning+7
Hartmann Doherty Rosa Berman & Bulbulia LLP
Hackensack, NJ
A full-service firm serving companies and individuals across New Jersey, New York and Florida, with offices in Hackensack and Short Hills.
LitigationBusiness & CorporateEmployment+6
Woodbury-based full-service firm with several Gloucester County offices for injury, workers' comp, DUI, family, bankruptcy and estates.
Personal InjuryWorkers' CompensationCriminal Defense+4
Jacobs & Barbone, P.A.
Atlantic City, NJ
An Atlantic City firm with more than 65 years of criminal, municipal court and injury work.
Criminal DefensePersonal InjuryFamily Law+2
New Brunswick firm defending criminal and DWI charges and helping individuals resolve IRS and NJ tax debt, audits and tax crimes.
Criminal DefenseTaxPersonal Injury+1
Jersey City injury firm for car crashes, falls, work injuries and malpractice, with free consultations and Spanish spoken.
Personal InjuryWorkers' CompensationCriminal Defense
Father and son Flemington firm for injury and wrongful death claims, criminal defense, estates and real estate.
Personal InjuryCriminal DefenseEstate Planning+4
Law Office of Antonio A. Gonzalez
North Bergen, NJ
Bilingual North Bergen lawyer for divorce, custody, DWI, criminal charges and traffic court. Hablamos español.
Family LawCriminal DefensePersonal Injury
Cherry Hill firm that handles only DWI defense, statewide, led by Evan Levow of the State v. Chun Alcotest litigation.
Criminal Defense
Lomurro Law
Freehold, NJ
A Monmouth County trial firm with several attorneys certified by the NJ Supreme Court as civil trial attorneys.
Personal InjuryWorkers' CompensationCriminal Defense+4
Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Roseland, NJ
Founded in 1961, known for venture capital, private equity, investment funds and life sciences work.
Business & CorporateLitigationBankruptcy+7
Marciano Law Office
Hoboken, NJ
Hoboken neighborhood firm for wills, probate, divorce, home closings, landlord and tenant issues and municipal court.
Estate PlanningFamily LawReal Estate+3
Masten & Ray
Pennsville, NJ
Pennsville general practice serving Salem County since 1955: injury, workers' comp, criminal and DUI, family law, real estate and wills.
Personal InjuryWorkers' CompensationCriminal Defense+3
McCarter & English, LLP
Newark, NJ
One of the oldest and largest firms based in New Jersey, with more than 400 lawyers along the East Coast.
Business & CorporateLitigationIntellectual Property+10
McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP
Morristown, NJ
Founded in 1983, now with 11 offices in 9 states.
LitigationBankruptcyEmployment+10
Norris McLaughlin, P.A.
Bridgewater, NJ
About 120 attorneys; started as a two-lawyer practice in Somerville.
Business & CorporateLitigationIntellectual Property+13
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, P.C.
Hackensack, NJ
Known for commercial litigation, appeals and white collar defense; named New Jersey Law Journal Law Firm of the Year in 2023.
LitigationBusiness & CorporateReal Estate+10
Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Parsippany, NJ
In New Jersey since 1962, with more than 100 attorneys and deep life sciences and education law practices.
Business & CorporateLitigationEmployment+8
Riker Danzig LLP
Madison, NJ
A full-service firm of more than 140 attorneys, founded in Newark in 1882.
LitigationBusiness & CorporateBankruptcy+10
Sherman Law Offices
Woodstown, NJ
Father and son firm in Woodstown handling divorce and custody, DUI and criminal defense, injury claims and wills for Salem County.
Family LawCriminal DefensePersonal Injury+2
Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.
Newark, NJ
Has represented businesses and individuals since 1971.
LitigationReal EstateMunicipal & Land Use+11
Stark & Stark, PC
Hamilton, NJ
Founded in 1933, with 200+ legal professionals serving both people and businesses.
Personal InjuryWorkers' CompensationBusiness & Corporate+13
Testa Heck Testa & White, P.A.
Vineland, NJ
Vineland firm founded in 1983 for personal injury, criminal defense, workers' comp, municipal court and estate work in South Jersey.
Personal InjuryCriminal DefenseWorkers' Compensation+4
Cape May Court House firm handling DUI and criminal defense, personal injury, maritime claims and local real estate and business work.
Criminal DefensePersonal InjuryLitigation+2
Focused on criminal and DWI defense, with offices in Hackensack, Morristown, Newark, New Brunswick and Middletown.
Criminal Defense
Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A.
Woodbridge, NJ
Founded in 1919 by David T. Wilentz and one of the state's largest firms, serving both businesses and individuals.
Personal InjuryWorkers' CompensationCriminal Defense+12
Phillipsburg firm for injury and workers' comp claims, divorce, criminal defense, bankruptcy and Social Security disability.
Personal InjuryWorkers' CompensationFamily Law+3
Criminal Defense by county
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