New Jersey Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes Attorney
Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes Defense Lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ Will Skillfully Handle Your Legal Defense in Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, and Throughout South Jersey
If you were charged with possessing a weapon for unlawful purposes, you should speak with an attorney. Depending on the nature of the crimes in question and the evidence that the prosecution has against you, you can face years in prison and hefty fines for simply owning or possessing a weapon if the prosecution can show that you were in possession of said firearms for unlawful purposes. These charges should not be taken lightly, so contact our New Jersey possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes attorney today. There is no reason you should face charges or prosecution for crimes you did not commit, and you should not have to face harsh penalties when a smart strategic defense can lower or even dismiss the charges you face. Reach out to our possession of weapons for unlawful purposes defense lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ today for a free case evaluation.
Fighting Charges of Possessing Weapons for Unlawful Purposes in New Jersey
According to Statute 2C:39-4 of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice on possessing weapons for unlawful purposes, you can face charges of the second, third, or fourth degree for different charges involving the possession of weapons for unlawful purposes. If you possess a firearm, explosives, or destructive devices for unlawful use against someone or their property, this constitutes a crime of the second degree. Using other weapons besides firearms for the same purposes constitutes a crime of the third degree. Possessing an imitation firearm in a scenario that would lead an unbiased observer to reasonably believe that it was possessed for an unlawful purpose can be charged with a crime of the fourth degree.
While these definitions are clear, they can give our New Jersey possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes attorney many options for beating the charges you face. For example, the definition of what constitutes a weapon is broad. It can include anything that can inflict death or serious bodily injury. However, how do you define unlawful purposes? For example, if you possess a weapon for self-defense, you can argue that you did not, were not, and did not intend to use a weapon for unlawful purposes, and the charges you therefore face may not hold up to strict legal scrutiny.
These are just a few strategies we can use to lower or dismiss the charges you face. Since every case is unique, contact our skilled possession of weapons for unlawful purposes defense lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ to review your case. We will gather evidence, investigate the charges you face, and devise a sound legal strategy to protect you from the charges, legal proceedings, and penalties your alleged crimes carry.
Experienced Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes Defense Lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ Deftly Defends Against Penalties and Punishments You Face
Our skilled and specialized New Jersey possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes attorney will strive to lower or dismiss the charges you face. This can mean reducing your charges from a higher-level crime to a lower-level crime, discrediting the arguments of the prosecution, lowering the applicable sentences of your crimes, or seeking alternatives to fines and jail time, such as via Pre-Trial Interventions, rehabilitative programs, probation, or community service.
If you are convicted of a second-degree crime for possessing a firearm, such as a handgun, shotgun, or rifle, for unlawful purposes, you can face between five and 10 years in prison and fines of up to $150,000. Third-degree convictions come with up to five years in prison and potential fines of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree convictions can lead to prison time of up to 18 months and fines of up to $10,000.
It is important to remember that unlawful purpose offenses are distinct from separate crimes that you can be charged with that are all part of the same incident, such as the unlawful possession of weapons, the possession of illegal weapons, and other crimes or violations that are tied to crimes or illegal activities such as robbery, assault, domestic violence, or otherwise. These accusations can be stacked one on top of the other, and you can be charged with all of them separately, meaning the penalties outlined above can be substantially increased based on the combined charges you face. Speak with our experienced New Jersey possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes attorney for help navigating these complex legal matters.
Contact Our Uncompromising Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes Defense Lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ Today
Weapons charges can turn your life upside down, and there are many ways we can defend you against the charges you face. Your defense starts with a free consultation with our New Jersey possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes attorney, so contact our offices today for reliable representation against the charges you face.
Frequently Asked Questions About Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose in New Jersey
It is common for people to face multiple charges related to a single incident – something that can be confusing unless you have seasoned legal guidance to help you understand what’s going on. For example, if you own a weapon for self-defense but the prosecution shows that you used that weapon to threaten a member of your household, you can face firearm charges that involve assault and domestic violence. Terroristic threat charges can also be thrown into the mix. Similar rules apply to, for example, road rage incidents in which someone may brandish a weapon or even use one in self-defense against a raging driver. Every case needs to be investigated and analyzed before the optimal defensive strategy can be determined, so contact a New Jersey possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes attorney today for assistance.
To be convicted of a charge under Statute, 2C:39-4, the prosecution must show that a weapon existed, that it was in your possession, that you were aware of the nature of the alleged weapon and how it could be used for destructive or harmful purposes, and that the alleged weapon was not intended for use for lawful purposes. If we can discredit the prosecution’s evidence along any one of these four lines, we can potentially throw out your charges and have your case dismissed. Call our possession of weapons for unlawful purposes defense lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ today to learn more about how and where we can defend against the charges you face.