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Criminal convictions involving matters both large and small can have a significant impact on your family, your reputation, your professional status, your employment and educational prospects, and your housing options. Leon Matchin is a Monmouth County criminal defense lawyer who is committed to protecting the rights of people charged with crimes or fighting traffic tickets. He can craft a strategy to minimize or avoid the potential adverse consequences.

Many of the cases that we handle involve charges of driving under the influence (DUI), marijuana possession, shoplifting, assault, and other drug crimes. Under N.J.S.A. section 39:4-50, drivers are prohibited from operating their cars while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration is .08%. However, you can be charged whenever you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, even if your BAC is lower than .08%. For a first conviction, you may be sentenced to 30 days in jail, have your license suspended for three months to one year, and be subjected to fines. You may also need to install an interlock ignition device on your car. Repeat convictions carry harsher penalties.

New Jersey penalizes marijuana possession based on how much marijuana you have. N.J.S.A. section 2C:35-10a(4) prohibits possession of marijuana in the amount of 50 or fewer grams. This is considered a disorderly persons offense. N.J.S.A. section 2C:35-10a(3) prohibits possession of marijuana in excess of 50 grams. This is a felony, which means that a conviction will result in relatively severe consequences, such as possible imprisonment. If you possess marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, there are additional fines, and you may be required to perform 100 hours of community service.

In New Jersey, shoplifting is a type of larceny that includes any action taken with the intent of paying less than the full price of an item for sale. The value of what is shoplifted is considered when determining a criminal penalty. For example, if you shoplift something worth between $500 and $75,000, you face the possibility of imprisonment for three to five years and a fine of up to $15,000.

We handle the full range of traffic violations, such as speeding, driving on a suspended license, driving without insurance, and alleged hit and runs. Many people simply accept a traffic ticket, but in many cases, it is worthwhile to contest a ticket to avoid accumulating points and penalties.

In New Jersey, your traffic tickets are tracked through a point system. When you receive six or more points in a three-year period, you are assessed a surcharge. Moreover, if you get 12 or more points on your current driving record, the state will suspend your driver's license. Points on your license can increase the insurance premiums you need to pay. As with felonies and misdemeanors, the prosecution must prove the elements of any traffic violation charge beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a hard standard to meet. Our firm can provide a vigorous defense to traffic tickets, based on your specific circumstances.

If you have been charged with a crime, even if the offense seems minor, you should take the time to consult an attorney about your potential legal options. There are many procedural safeguards in place under the U.S. Constitution and state laws that are intended to protect you. At the Law Office of Leon Matchin, we can provide you with uncompromising representation. Monmouth County criminal defense attorney Leon Matchin represents people throughout the New Brunswick area as well as elsewhere in Mercer, Monmouth, and Middlesex Counties. Contact us online or call us at (833) 732-7320 to set up a free consultation with a criminal defense or traffic ticket attorney.