Essex County Weapons Offense Lawyers

Gun Crime Attorneys Represent Individuals Charged with Weapons Offenses in Essex County NJ

The law firm of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC handles violent crime and weapons offense cases throughout Essex County. Our firm regularly represents clients charged with a weapons-related offense from Belleville, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, East Orange, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair, Newark, North Caldwell, Nutley, Orange, Roseland, South Orange, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange.

Violent Crimes in Essex County, New Jersey

In 2007, Essex County municipalities reported the following offenses:

1. 1. Town
   2. Total Major Crimes
   3. Crime rate
   4. Violent rate
   5. Murder
   6. Rape
   7. Robbery
   8. Assault
   9. Domestic violence

Belleville

• Total Major Crimes: 897
• Crime rate: 26.0
• Violent rate: 3.4
• Murder: 1
• Rape: 1
• Robbery: 60
• Assault: 56
• Domestic violence: 101

Bloomfield

• Total Major Crimes: 1,429
• Crime rate: 31.5
• Violent rate: 2.9
• Murder: 1
• Rape: 2
• Robbery: 84
• Assault: 43
• Domestic violence: 201

Caldwell

• Total Major Crimes: 38
• Crime rate: 5.2
• Violent rate: 0.3
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 0
• Assault: 2
• Domestic violence: 46

Cedar Grove

• Total Major Crimes: 178
• Crime rate: 13.9
• Violent rate: 0.6
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 1
• Assault: 7
• Domestic violence: 57

East Orange

• Total Major Crimes: 2,350
• Crime rate: 34.9
• Violent rate: 7.9
• Murder: 8
• Rape: 32
• Robbery: 241
• Assault: 248
• Domestic violence: 521

Essex Fells

• Total Major Crimes: 14
• Crime rate: 6.8
• Violent rate: 0.0
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 0
• Assault: 0
• Domestic violence: 1

Fairfield

• Total Major Crimes: 371
• Crime rate: 48.1
• Violent rate: 1.6
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 1
• Robbery: 2
• Assault: 9
• Domestic violence: 56

Glen Ridge

• Total Major Crimes: 160
• Crime rate: 23.2
• Violent rate: 1.4
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 7
• Assault: 3
• Domestic violence: 29

Irvington

• Total Major Crimes: 4,548
• Crime rate: 78.4
• Violent rate: 21.4
• Murder: 23
• Rape: 29
• Robbery: 616
• Assault: 575
• Domestic violence: 845

Livingston

• Total Major Crimes: 460
• Crime rate: 16.2
• Violent rate: 0.7
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 2
• Robbery: 8
• Assault: 11
• Domestic violence: 59

Maplewood

• Total Major Crimes: 457
• Crime rate: 20.1
• Violent rate: 2.5
• Murder: 1
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 33
• Assault: 23
• Domestic violence: 81

Millburn

• Total Major Crimes: 624
• Crime rate: 32.6
• Violent rate: 0.5
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 6
• Assault: 3
• Domestic violence: 90

Montclair

• Total Major Crimes: 877
• Crime rate: 23.5
• Violent rate: 2.6
• Murder: 2
• Rape: 5
• Robbery: 50
• Assault: 40
• Domestic violence: 175

Newark

• Total Major Crimes: 13,970
• Crime rate: 49.6
• Violent rate: 8.8
• Murder: 105
• Rape: 60
• Robbery: 1,127
• Assault: 1,197
• Domestic violence: 1,488

North Caldwell

• Total Major Crimes: 49
• Crime rate: 6.8
• Violent rate: 0.6
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 1
• Robbery: 0
• Assault: 3
• Domestic violence: 6

Nutley

• Total Major Crimes: 465
• Crime rate: 17.2
• Violent rate: 1.8
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 2
• Robbery: 16
• Assault: 30
• Domestic violence: 128

Orange

• Total Major Crimes: 1,863
• Crime rate: 58.5
• Violent rate: 12.3
• Murder: 5
• Rape: 9
• Robbery: 220
• Assault: 157
• Domestic violence: 361

Roseland

• Total Major Crimes: 29
• Crime rate: 5.4
• Violent rate: 0.4
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 1
• Assault: 1
• Domestic violence: 20

South Orange

• Total Major Crimes: 449
• Crime rate: 27.4
• Violent rate: 3.4
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 31
• Assault: 25
• Domestic violence: 81

Verona

• Total Major Crimes: 126
• Crime rate: 9.7
• Violent rate: 0.6
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 1
• Robbery: 0
• Assault: 7
• Domestic violence: 9

West Caldwell

• Total Major Crimes: 96
• Crime rate: 8.9
• Violent rate: 0.6
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 0
• Assault: 6
• Domestic violence: 32

West Orange

• Total Major Crimes: 884
• Crime rate: 20.3
• Violent rate: 2.0
• Murder: 2
• Rape: 2
• Robbery: 48
• Assault: 37
• Domestic violence: 163

Criminal charges based on violent felonies are handled by the Criminal Division of the Essex County Superior Court, located in Newark, New Jersey.

The Criminal Division is represented by the following judges:

• Peter J. Vazquez, P.J.S.C.
• Stephen J. Bernstein, J.S.C.
• Joseph C. Cassini, J.S.C.
• Denise A. Cobham, J.S.C.
• Hector E. DeSoto, J.S.C.
• Philip M. Freedman, J.S.C.
• Harold W. Fullilove, J.S.C.
• Garry J. Furnari, J.S.C.
• Robert H. Gardner, J.S.C.
• Betty J. Lester, J.S.C.
• Michael J. Nelson, J.S.C.
• Serena Perretti, J.S.C.
• Michael A. Petrolle, J.S.C.
• Michael L. Ravin, J.S.C.
• Peter V. Ryan, J.S.C.
• Jerome M. St. John, J.S.C.
• Ramona A. Santiago, J.S.C.
• Torkwase Y. Sekou, J.S.C.

Frequently, these violent crimes involve the use of a weapon. The Criminal Division presides over these cases and others that involve a weapon, including:

• Bringing knives or guns to school;
• Unlawfully possessing a gun due to a restraining order;
• Carrying a weapon without a permit or with an improper permit; or
• Falsifying permit information.

A Weapon Can Be Anything Under NJ Law

A weapon can be any object depending on the purpose for which it is used. If the purpose of using the object is to commit a crime, it may be considered a weapon. For example, a rock is not generally considered a weapon. However, a rock used to commit an assault, is a weapon.

Essex County Gun Possession Charges

Some objects are inherently dangerous and possessing them may be a crime. In New Jersey, possession of a gun may be unlawful if a person does not abide by the strict purchasing and carrying guidelines. A person must hold a firearms identification card to purchase any type of firearm. Furthermore, if a person wishes to buy a handgun, he must obtain a separate permit to purchase. A person generally may not carry a handgun without a New Jersey carry-permit. Failure to follow New Jersey’s strict guidelines on purchasing and carrying a firearm could lead to charges of unlawful possession of a weapon against you. The penalties for these offenses are severe.

Persons Who May Not Possess a Gun Charges in Essex County NJ

Certain persons may not possess a gun under any circumstance. Convicted felons, persons on probation or parole, or persons with restraining orders against them may not possess or carry a firearm. Thus, even if a person follows the purchasing and carrying guidelines, he may still be violating the law.

Essex County, NJ Weapons Offenses

In New Jersey, there are many crimes involving weapons. The chart below details the offenses that require the use or possession of a weapon in order for the State to obtain a conviction.

1. Statute
2. Offense

• N.J.S.A. § 2C:15-1: Armed Robbery
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-3(a): Destructive Devices
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-3(b): Sawed-off Shotguns
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-3(c): Silencers
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-3(d): Defaced Firearms
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-3(e): Knives and other weapons
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-3(f): Body Armor Penetrating Bullets
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-4: Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purpose
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-4(e): Imitation Firearms
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-4.1: Possession of Weapons During the Commission of Certain Crimes
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-5: Unlawful Possession of Weapons
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-5(a): Possession of a Machine Gun
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-5(f): Assault Firearms
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-7: Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-9: Unlawful disposition of Firearm
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-9.1: Sale of Large Hunting Knives to Persons Under Eighteen
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-10: Violation of Regulatory Provisions Relating to Firearms
• N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-10(c),(d),(e),(f): Providing False Information on Gun Permits and Applications
• Weapons Possession Penalties

The penalties for unlawful weapon possession in New Jersey are serious. The charts below outline the penalties for these offenses.

Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-5

1. Offense
2. Grade
3. Imprisonment

Possession of a:

• Machine Gun
• Handgun without a Permit
• Rifle without a Firearms I.D.
• Loaded Rifle or Shotgun

3rd Degree: Up to 5 Years

• Other Weapons

4th Degree: Up to 18 Months

• Possession of a Weapon at a School

4th Degree; Up to 18 Months

Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose

N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-4

1. Offense
2. Grade
3. Imprisonment

Gun, Firearm or Explosive Device

• 2nd Degree: Up to 10 Years

Other Weapons

• 3rd Degree: Up to 5 Years

Imitation Firearm

• 4th Degree: Up to 18 Months

Free Consultations Available – Essex County Gun Crime Lawyer

If you have received a criminal charge involving a weapon in Essex County, we may be able to help you. Our firm’s criminal defense attorneys understand how to handle these matters. Casey Woodruff and Gary Grabas are both former County Prosecutors. Both have handled numerous weapons offense cases. Jon Bramnick is a Certified Civil Trial Lawyer.

Our defense lawyers will work to suppress the evidence against you and have your charges dismissed. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.

You can reach us 24 hours a day: (908) 322-7000.