Monmouth County Criminal Defense Attorney

Being arrested and charged with a crime in Monmouth County can be extremely stressful. You’re worried about your reputation, your freedom, and your future. Fortunately, you don’t have to bow down to the allegations law enforcement and the prosecution has made. Instead, a Monmouth County criminal defense lawyer from Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help you fight tooth and nail for the best outcome for you.

At Keith Oliver Criminal Law, we provide personalized attention to our clients during critical moments. Our attorneys understand the stress you’re under right now, so we’ll always be available to speak with you about your case and answer any questions. In addition, we know that each client we represent is facing a unique situation that requires a unique strategy. So we tailor every defense to meet our client’s needs and goals.

Our firm has a proven track record of securing favorable results in criminal cases across Monmouth County, including dismissals, acquittals, and reductions of charges and sentences. We combine the aggressive legal advocacy of big law firms with the focused attention of our boutique firm.

Contact Us Today

Reach out to Keith Oliver Criminal Law today for a free initial consultation with a knowledgeable Monmouth County criminal defense lawyer.

Our Defense Attorneys Handle All Types of Criminal Cases in Monmouth County

The Monmouth County defense attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law have a long track record of success in cases involving:

  • Assault and threat crimes, including simple and aggravated assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and witness intimidation offenses
  • Domestic violence, which involves alleged crimes committed against someone with whom the defendant has a household, familial, or intimate relationship
  • Drug offenses, including simple possession, distribution, manufacturing, and trafficking, as well as control of drug paraphernalia
  • Weapons offenses, such as unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of firearms by persons not to possess, or possession of weapons for an illegal purpose
  • Sex crimes, including sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault/rape, criminal sexual contact, production and distribution of child pornography, and lewdness
  • Theft and fraud, including shoplifting, robbery, carjacking, embezzlement, and bank/credit card fraud
  • Juvenile criminal charges prioritize rehabilitation rather than punishment, as minors are normally entitled to face allegations in the separate juvenile system.
  • DWI and DUI charges, including underage DUI and assault by auto while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Traffic violations, such as speeding tickets and other moving violations, and charges of reckless driving
  • Expungements, which allow an eligible individual with an arrest or conviction record to seal that record from public access and be lawfully entitled to deny their arrest or conviction for employment/housing/educational applications

How Can Our Monmouth County Criminal Defense Attorneys Help You?

As defense attorneys, we know there is no such thing as an open-and-shut case. There are many opportunities and angles to build out a defense in every situation. A Monmouth County criminal lawyer from Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help you by:

  • Explaining your charges and legal options so that you can make decisions that best serve your interests at each stage of the case
  • Investigating the facts of your case so that we are not relying solely on the evidence supplied by the prosecution. This may allow us to find additional evidence or witnesses to help with your defense.
  • Identifying and pursuing effective factual and legal defenses on your behalf, including by filing motions to exclude unlawfully obtained, irrelevant, or unreliable state evidence.
  • Moving to reduce or dismiss your charges to test the sufficiency of the prosecution’s case.
  • Pursuing negotiations with the prosecution to secure a favorable plea deal that avoids harsh penalties for a conviction when appropriate.
  • Advocating your case at trial should you fight your charges and maintain your innocence.

Every case is unique and requires a defense strategy to match. We prioritize getting to know our clients and their goals and concerns. That gives us the insight to represent them throughout the defense process best.

Contact us now to learn how our Monmouth County criminal defense attorneys can help you.

Understanding the Penalties for a Criminal Conviction in New Jersey

Criminal offenses in New Jersey fall into one of two grading classifications: disorderly person offenses and indictable crimes. Disorderly persons offenses are usually called misdemeanors in other jurisdictions, while indictable crimes are equivalent to felonies in other states. Therefore, the penalties imposed for a criminal conviction in New Jersey depend on the grading of the offense. Sentencing ranges include:

  • Petty disorderly person offense: Up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000
  • Disorderly person offense: Up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000
  • Fourth-degree crime: Up to 18 months in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000
  • Third-degree crime: Three to five years in prison and a potential fine of up to $15,000
  • Second-degree crime: Five to 10 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $150,000
  • First-degree crime: Up to 20 years in prison (although certain offenses can have maximum terms ranging from 25 years to life) and a potential fine of up to $200,000

Other sentencing terms that courts can impose for a criminal conviction in Monmouth County include:

  • Probation, which may be added on top of or sentenced in lieu of a term of incarceration
  • Court costs and fees
  • Restitution is paid to the victim(s) to compensate them for financial losses caused by the crime
  • Community service
  • Behavioral or drug/alcohol abuse counseling
  • Community supervision, which can require a released offender to report to law enforcement regularly
  • Sex offender registration requirements for a conviction on a sex-based offense

Long-Term Consequences of Having a Criminal Record

Even after an individual has completed all the terms of a sentence – including incarceration, probation or community service, and fines and restitution – they may face additional consequences from their conviction. A criminal record can have long-lasting impacts on a person’s life, particularly when they apply for:

  • Educational opportunities
  • Jobs
  • Housing
  • Credit or other financial services
  • Certain government benefits

A criminal record for an indictable crime or certain disorderly persons offenses can also disqualify an individual from lawfully owning firearms or being eligible to apply for employment with law enforcement agencies or the judiciary.

Finally, a criminal record that includes certain sex-based offenses will also mean that an individual needs to register as a sex offender, potentially for the rest of their life. In addition, since sex offender registries can be accessed online by the public, registrants may have to deal with the social stigma of being designated a sex offender.

Tips for Protecting Your Rights During and After an Arrest in Monmouth County

The things you do after being arrested in Monmouth County can impact the outcome of your eventual criminal case. If possible:

  • Do not attempt to resist arrest or flee from law enforcement. Even if you believe you have not committed a crime, trying to prevent your arrest is a criminal offense.
  • Remain calm and respectful toward the officers, but politely assert your rights.
  • Once you have been arrested, inform the officers that you intend to exercise your right to remain silent and politely decline to answer any questions about any criminal offense.
  • Also, inform the officers that you want to exercise your right to speak with an attorney before any questioning begins.
  • If you are released after your arrest, collect and preserve any important information or documents relevant to your charges, such as photos, records, emails, or text messages. If you are detained pending trial, have your attorney or a family member gather this evidence on your behalf.
  • Even if you do not speak to an attorney in police custody, you should talk to a Monmouth County criminal defense attorney immediately after your release. Early representation is crucial to your defense.

Talk to a Monmouth County Criminal Defense Lawyer Now

Time is of the essence if you’ve been charged with a crime in Monmouth County. Criminal cases can move quickly, and you have important legal decisions you need to make. So don’t wait to get the legal representation you need. Contact Keith Oliver Criminal Law today for a free, confidential case evaluation with a Monmouth County criminal defense lawyer.