Blog: Criminal Defense

By Attorneys Hartman, Chartered Public meetings are supposed to be where neighbors settle disagreements with words. But when a heated exchange turns into a lunge across the room, a shove in the parking lot, or a threat shouted in anger, the fallout can include That question is getting plenty of attention in South Jersey right now. A viral video from a Pemberton Township council meeting has shown how quickly a political argument can become...

By Attorneys Hartman, Chartered, New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Camden County and Burlington County Every October, teenagers and young adults across New Jersey head out looking for a little harmless fun. Maybe it starts with a carton of eggs, a few rolls of toilet paper, or a dare to cut through a neighbor's backyard. The problem is that Halloween pranks that can lead to criminal charges in New Jersey are far more common than...

If you or a family member has just been At Attorneys Hartman, Chartered, we guide clients through each decision with careful preparation and steady communication. This article outlines the New Jersey criminal court process from arrest through appeal, explains what to expect at key stages, and shows why timely, informed action can protect your rights. Step 1: Arrest, Charges, and Booking After an arrest, police decide whether to issue a complaint-summons or a complaint-warrant...

By the team at It’s summer. You've already mentally planned out the summer slinging fries on the Wildwood boardwalk, lifeguarding in Avalon, working the door at a Jersey Shore restaurant in Cape May. You apply, the interview goes great, the manager says If you have a criminal charge in your past, or, worse, a pending one right now, the answer to that question matters a lot. Let's talk through what summer employers actually...

It only takes a moment. You glance down at your phone. Maybe it is a text, directions, or a quick notification. Then you look up, and everything has changed. A car stops suddenly. A pedestrian steps into the road. A collision happens before you have time to react. During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the focus is often on safety. However, what many drivers do not realize is that distracted driving in New Jersey can lead...

April Fool’s Day encourages people to push limits. However, in New Jersey, some pranks do more than go too far, they trigger criminal charges that can follow you long after April 1st. Many people assume that if something is meant as a joke, it will not lead to legal trouble. That assumption often leads to mistakes. New Jersey law focuses on what actually happened, not what you intended. If your actions cause panic, disrupt the...

Think about this for a moment. You fire a single shot, no one gets hurt, and you assume the situation ends there. However, under New Jersey’s reckless discharge law, that assumption could land you in serious legal trouble. The state has created a standalone criminal offense that specifically targets the reckless discharge of a firearm, even when no injury occurs. Instead of relying on older, broader charges, prosecutors now have a focused statute designed to...

The moment a law enforcement officer clicks a pair of handcuffs into place, your entire world changes in an instant. Everything you have worked for, including your reputation, your career, and your personal liberty, is suddenly at risk of being taken away. The New Jersey legal system is a powerful and complex machine that moves forward with its own momentum whether you are ready for it or not. What you do in the first 24...

In today’s world, nearly everything we do leaves a digital trail. Photos, videos, private messages, comments, and even deleted posts may linger far longer than we expect. When someone becomes involved in a criminal investigation, the question often arises: can police use your social media against you in a New Jersey case? The answer is often yes. Law enforcement regularly turns to social media evidence during investigations, and prosecutors frequently rely on digital content as...

Being arrested or convicted of a crime can change your life in ways many people don’t expect. Even long after you’ve completed probation or served your sentence, a criminal record can follow you throughout New Jersey. It can impact everything from your career options to your housing applications, your education, your finances, and even your personal relationships. Because of these consequences, understanding how a criminal record can affect your future in New Jersey is essential...