When a person is charged with murder in Egg Harbor Township, they are facing the potential to spend the rest of their lives in prison. Being charged with any form of criminal homicide is an incredibly distressing and upsetting experience, both for you and your loved ones. When everything you value is at stake, you simply cannot afford to face the prosecution without dedicated legal support from an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
At the Law Offices of John J. Zarych, our highly knowledgeable homicide attorneys bring over 45 years of combined experience to every case we handle. We are well-versed in New Jersey’s homicide laws and have an in-depth understanding of the possible defenses against murder charges. We will challenge the evidence against you, coach and counsel you throughout every step of the legal process, and fight aggressively to have the charges reduced or dismissed. We represent clients throughout Atlantic County, Cape May County, Ocean County, Camden County, Burlington County, and the surrounding areas, with offices in Atlantic City, Northfield, and Wildwood.
Murder and manslaughter charges can change your life forever. Don’t wait another day to take legal action. To schedule a free, completely private legal consultation, call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych right away at (609) 616-4956. Our phone lines are always open. Se habla español.
Murder Charges in Egg Harbor Township
In New Jersey, the most serious type of homicide you can be convicted of is first-degree murder. A murder charge is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(l) and 3a(2) which states:
A person is guilty of murder if he/she:
(1) caused the victim’s death or serious bodily injury that then resulted in the victim’s death;1 and
(2) the defendant did so purposely or knowingly.
The attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Zarych are committed to defending those who are charged with murder and other serious crimes because we know that your very freedom is at stake. Because of New Jersey and United States Constitutional principles in order for a person to be guilty of murder, the State is required to prove each of the above elements beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the New Jersey statutes for homicide have been drafted in such a manner where a person can be charged with first-degree murder even if they did not act purposefully or knowingly if they were engaged in the commission of certain other criminal activities. This type of murder is often called a felony murder, and a person may be charged, tried, and convicted of first-degree murder if they cause a death of someone else during the commission of a crime such as a robbery, burglary, kidnapping, carjacking, and sexual assault. This rule has been cast and interpreted quite broadly so that a person may be charged with first-degree murder even if they did not directly cause the death of another person.
State prosecutors will approach these charges very aggressively and will strive to gain a conviction. If the State has proved the essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant must be found guilty of that offense regardless of the defendant’s motive or lack of a motive.
Penalties for Murder in Egg Harbor Township
New Jersey outlawed the use of the death penalty in murder cases in 2007, however, that does not mean that if you are convicted of murder that you won’t face severe and life changing penalties. The criminal defense lawyers at the Law Office of John J. Zarych understand that your freedom is at stake and are prepared to engage in an aggressive and thorough defense strategy to help protect your freedom.
Currently, the law stands that the maximum penalty for a New Jersey Murder is Life without Parole, this means that you will not be given any chance for release. However, in order for the Sentencing Judge to sentence a defendant to life without parole, the Grand Jury and a Petit Jury must find, beyond a reasonable doubt, an aggravating factor enumerated in the New Jersey Code at 2C:11-3(b)(4) and one of the following circumstances:
1. That defendant killed the person by their own conduct, OR
2. The Defendant procured the commission of the murder by payment or promise of payment of anything of pecuniary value, OR
3. The Defendant, as a leader of a narcotics trafficking network as defined in N.J.S.2C:35-3 and in furtherance of a conspiracy enumerated in N.J.S.2C:35-3, commanded or by threat or promise solicited the commission of the murder, OR
4. The Defendant committed a crime of terrorism and the murder occurred during the commission that terrorism.
Additionally, because of the strong protection afforded to minors, a Sentencing Judge may sentence the defendant to life without parole if the victim was a law enforcement officer or the victim was less than 14 years old and the defendant commits a sexual assault in violation of N.J.S.2C:14-2 or criminal sexual conduct in violation of N.J.S.2C:14-3.
While the above circumstances may allow the judge to impose a life sentence without parole, if none of these circumstances apply or are present in a case, a Judge will then be required to
balance the aggravating and mitigating factors in the case to reach a sentence. Even if a person is not sentenced to life without parole, a person may be sentenced to a term of 30 years and life imprisonment. Because murder is a violent crime if a person is convicted of murder they will not be eligible for parole until 30 years have passed.
The Sentencing Judge may also order fines and restitution as prescribed by 2C:43-3 for all convictions for Murder in New Jersey. Per the language of the statute, a person may be fined $200,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the first degree, such as murder. In addition, a judge can impose other sanctions including the loss of the right to own or possess a firearm or weapon, mandatory enrollment in anger management classes, probation and electronic monitoring, restitution to the victim, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, the experienced attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Zarych may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce your charges. In other circumstances, the attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Zarych have invoked an affirmative defense such as diminished capacity, duress, lack of intent, insanity, voluntary intoxication, or involuntary intoxication.
Charged with Murder and Need an Egg Harbor Criminal Defense Lawyer?
At the Law Offices of John J. Zarych, our highly knowledgeable homicide attorneys bring over 45 years of combined experience to every case we handle. We are well-versed in New Jersey’s homicide laws and have an in-depth understanding of the possible defenses against murder charges. We will challenge the evidence against you, coach and counsel you throughout every step of the legal process, and fight aggressively to have the charges reduced or dismissed. We represent clients throughout Atlantic County, Cape May County, Ocean County, Camden County, Burlington County, and the surrounding areas, with offices in Atlantic City, Northfield, and Wildwood. To schedule a free, completely private legal consultation, call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych right away at (609) 616-4956. Our phone lines are always open. Se habla español.
