Mercer County Gun Crime Lawyer
Gun Charge Attorney in Mercer County, NJ, Protecting Clients Accused of Weapons Offenses of All Kinds in Hamilton, Trenton, Ewing, Princeton, and Throughout Central Jersey
With strict gun laws and harsh penalties that apply even in the absence of acts of violence, New Jersey takes weapons offenses extremely seriously. A gun charge can arise from oversights as simple as failing to properly register a firearm or to properly secure a gun that is registered in another state while traveling on NJ roads. When you’re facing consequences that could include incarceration—which under some circumstances may be mandatory—as well as costly fines and the impact of a criminal record, you need an experienced Mercer County gun crime lawyer on your side.
At The Law Office of John B. Brennan, my team fights for the accused, aggressively defending their rights. With smart legal strategies, I’m ready to pursue the outcome that minimizes the impact of this legal issue on you as much as possible. I offer a free, confidential consultation, so contact my law firm today for help understanding your legal rights and your options for building an effective defense.
Types of Weapons Offenses in Mercer County, NJ
As a committed criminal attorney and a former prosecutor, I have experience defending clients throughout the state against gun crimes charges of all kinds. My law firm is prepared to assist you with charges arising out of:
- Unregistered firearm violations
- Out-of-state firearm violations (unlawful carrying or transporting)
- Possession of a firearm without a permit
- Possession of a firearm by persons legally prohibited due to prior conviction or mental health concerns
- Possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes
- Use of a firearm during a violent crime
- Possession of a firearm during certain drug-related crimes
- Possession of an illegal firearm or other weapon
- Use of an imitation weapon
- Pointing a firearm (potentially constituting aggravated assault)
- Illegal firearms sale
- Possession of a weapon on school property
There’s a full array of criminal charges you could face in relation to gun and weapons crimes—in many instances, without harming anyone or even drawing a weapon in the first place. As a gun charge attorney in Mercer County, NJ, I’m here to develop the most effective defense possible. I also represent clients in Extreme Risk Protective Order hearings that threaten to interfere with their Second Amendment rights.
Areas Served in Mercer County, NJ
New Jersey’s strict gun laws can lead to arrests and criminal charges throughout Mercer County. I fight for clients charged with weapons offenses of all kinds in:
- Hamilton Township
- Trenton
- Ewing Township
- Lawrence Township
- Princeton
- East Windsor
- West Windsor
- Hopewell Township
- Robbinsville Township
- Hightstown
- Pennington
- Hopewell Borough
While gun violence is an unfortunate reality in Trenton, Hamilton Township, and beyond, so are numerous weapons offenses pertaining to unlawful possession of a firearm. At The Law Office of John B. Brennan, you will have a Mercer County gun crime lawyer who is dedicated to developing a defense designed to achieve the most favorable outcome possible.
You Need a Gun Charge Attorney in Mercer County, NJ, to Avoid Harsh Penalties
If you are convicted of a weapons offense in New Jersey, you’re facing serious consequences. Even if you never fired the gun, pointed it at anyone, or drew it at all, you could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
Under the Graves Act (NJ Rev Stat § 2C:43-6 (2022)), crimes like possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, possession of a firearm by certain persons, and possession of a handgun without a permit can trigger mandatory prison sentences. Depending on the degree of the crime you’re accused of committing, you could be sentenced to 18 months, multiple years, or potentially even decades in prison, even if you have no prior criminal record.
It’s possible to minimize or avoid these harsh penalties, but you’re going to need experienced legal counsel to do so. My law firm is familiar with the circumstances under which you may qualify for a Graves Act waiver, including out-of-town defendants who have the proper permits or registration required for firearm ownership in their home state. I can help you move forward with negotiating a plea agreement with the prosecutor that minimizes the impact of these charges when appropriate. As a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, I’m also equipped to fight for you in court when a trial offers a better opportunity for achieving a favorable resolution.
Through defense strategies developed through hard work, dedication, and insights informed by my experience as a former prosecutor, I have secured for my clients outcomes such as:
- Complete dismissal of charges
- Reduction of charges
- Suppression of improperly obtained evidence
- Favorable plea deals
- Not-guilty trial verdicts
- Light sentences
- Conditional dismissals of charges through Pretrial Intervention or other diversion programs
The consequences of a weapons conviction can be life-changing, but it’s possible to minimize them with the right legal representation.
How The Law Office of John B. Brennan Can Help
My law firm provides comprehensive legal guidance and representation throughout the criminal justice process. From the moment you retain our services, I begin building your defense. I gather and analyze the facts, drawing on my experience as a former prosecutor to consider the case from every angle and assess your options.
I represent clients from their first court appearance through every step, including hearings, negotiations, and trials. My goal is always to put clients on the path to the outcome that most benefits them—whether that outcome in their specific circumstances means getting charges dismissed, presenting a compelling case in court, or introducing mitigating factors that can influence sentencing after conviction.
Why Choose a Mercer County Gun Crime Lawyer at The Law Office of John B. Brennan
Defendants turn to The Law Office of John B. Brennan when they need a Mercer County gun crime lawyer with experience, trial-readiness, and the legal knowledge to challenge the case against them.
30+ Years in Legal Practice
Over my decades-long legal career, I spent 25 years as a prosecutor and subsequently focused on securing favorable results for the accused as a criminal defense attorney. This extensive and varied experience has equipped me to effectively defend clients against weapons charges of all kinds. Both the insider knowledge I possess as a former prosecutor and the successes I’ve secured for my clients contribute to my ability to develop a strong defense for you.
Preparedness to Fight for You in Court
Although plea agreements, the Pretrial Intervention Program, and other out-of-court resolutions can be promising options for minimizing the impact of criminal charges, you still need to know that your attorney is ready to fight for you in court. As a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, I have a documented reputation for excellence in court that will benefit your defense—not only contributing to an effective trial strategy but also putting you in a stronger position to submit a motion for dismissal of charges or negotiate a plea deal that favors you.
The Legal Knowledge Needed to Challenge the Case Against You
Part of an effective defense is being able to confidently challenge the case against you. To do this successfully, you need extensive knowledge of state law and its nuances. My law firm is equipped to examine every detail of your case, scrutinize the prosecutor’s evidence, and challenge law enforcement procedures and circumstantial arguments. By exposing all of the ways the prosecution’s case falls short of establishing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, I can weaken the case against you.
Contact a Mercer County Gun Crime Lawyer at The Law Office of John B. Brennan Today for a Free, Confidential Consultation
When you need comprehensive support to face the criminal justice process, I am here to provide aggressive representation beginning with a free, confidential consultation. Let me help you understand your rights, what’s at stake when facing gun charges, and what options are available to minimize the consequences of the charges against you.
For help from a gun charge attorney in Mercer County, NJ, contact The Law Office of John B. Brennan online or call 856-446-5123 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gun Crimes in Mercer County, NJ
While acts of violence like aggravated assault may involve guns—and carry enhanced penalties because of this involvement—you can face separate charges of weapons offenses even if no other violation was committed.
Many gun charges revolve around unlawful possession of a firearm, whether because you don’t have the proper permit, are restricted from possessing a weapon due to a prior conviction, or are in possession of a banned weapon, such as an assault rifle. You can also face gun charges arising out of unlawful firearm sales or pointing a weapon at someone.
You can even face gun possession charges in New Jersey arising out of situations you encounter while traveling in or passing through NJ if you live in another state where you legally possess a firearm but either do not have the proper permit in New Jersey or fail to follow proper procedures for transporting the weapon while you are within the state’s borders.
In New Jersey, it is generally illegal to possess a firearm if you don’t have the proper state-issued permits (even if you have appropriate permits in another state), you are in a school zone, or you are on school property. For certain persons, namely those with qualifying prior convictions or mental health concerns, it is against state law to be in possession of a firearm in any situation. You also cannot possess a firearm for any unlawful purposes, including having it on you while allegedly committing another crime, even if the offense you’re accused of didn’t involve any attempted use of a weapon.
A gun charge in New Jersey is very serious, even if it involves no other criminal violation. Under state law, namely the Graves Act, you can face mandatory prison terms even for charges that arise out of simply possessing a weapon under circumstances in which doing so is against the law. For the most severe offenses, the NJ law allows for lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines amounting to the six-figure range.
Because the consequences of a gun charge are so serious, you need a dedicated attorney on your side to put up an effective defense that can help minimize the penalties you’re facing.
The best defense against gun charges varies based on the specifics of your situation. Depending on the facts, I may challenge the legality of law enforcement searches, establish that you lacked intent to commit the crime, or argue a lack of knowledge of the firearm (essentially, that you were only in proximity to it and not in possession of it). I can seek to get evidence suppressed or charges dismissed due to any rights violations or improper law enforcement procedures. If appropriate, I can consider options such as applying to the Pretrial Intervention Program or negotiating a plea deal with the prosecutor on your behalf.