Weapons Offense Attorney in Somerset County, New Jersey

Somerset County Criminal Weapons Charge Lawyers

The law firm of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC handles violent crime and weapons offense cases throughout Somerset County. Our firm regularly represents clients charged with a weapons offense from Bedminster, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Far Hills, Franklin, Green Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, Millstone, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Peapack-Gladstone, Raritan, Rocky Hill, South Bound Brook, Somerville, Warren and Watchung.

Violent Crimes in Somerset County, NJ

In 2007, the following offenses were documented by Somerset County municipalities:

Town

Total Major
Crimes

Crime
rate

Violent
rate

Murder

Rape

Robbery

Assault

Domestic
violence

Bedminster

62

7.3

0.2

0

0

0

2

58

Bernards

160

5.9

0.0

0

0

0

1

112

Bernardsville

54

7.0

0.0

0

0

0

0

29

Bound Brook

252

24.6

1.9

0

1

11

7

189

Branchburg

106

7.0

0.1

0

0

1

1

115

Bridgewater

721

16.1

0.3

0

1

6

8

123

Far Hills

14

15.1

0.0

0

0

0

0

5

Franklin

1,025

17.0

1.1

4

8

30

23

422

Green Brook

142

20.7

0.7

0

2

3

0

43

Hillsborough

360

9.4

0.3

1

4

2

4

341

Manville

158

15.1

0.2

0

1

1

0

125

Millstone

2

4.6

0.0

0

0

0

0

1

Montgomery

216

9.3

0.2

0

0

1

3

71

North Plainfield

606

27.9

2.8

0

3

36

22

211

Peapack-Gladstone

21

8.5

0.0

0

0

0

0

4

Raritan

126

19.6

1.2

0

0

2

6

104

Rocky Hill

3

4.4

0.0

0

0

0

0

4

South Bound Brook

29

6.4

0.2

0

0

1

0

48

Somerville

316

25.2

1.6

0

0

13

7

128

Warren

138

8.7

0.3

1

1

0

3

10

Watchung

293

46.6

0.8

0

1

2

2

51

Weapons Charges Are Handled in Somerset County Superior Court

These violent crimes are handled by the Criminal Division of Somerset County Superior Court, situated in Somerville, New Jersey.

The Criminal Division consists of the following judges:

• Edward M. Coleman, P.J.S.C.
• Paul W. Armstrong, J.S.C.
• Robert B. Reed, J.S.C.

Weapons are frequently connected to violent crimes. Therefore, the Criminal Division presides over many weapons offense cases. Other common weapons offense cases the Court handles include:

• 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 hammer used properly in construction is not a weapon. Conversely, a hammer used to purposely injure a person is a weapon.

Gun Possession Charges in Somerset County, New Jersey

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 in 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.

Weapons Offenses in Somerset County NJ

The table below identifies criminal offenses in New Jersey that require the use or possession of a weapon in order for the State to obtain conviction against a defendant.

Statute

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

Somerset County Weapons Possession Penalties

In New Jersey, the penalties for unlawful weapon possession are serious. The charts below provide the penalties for these offenses.

Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-5

Offense

Grade

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

Offense

Grade

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 – Somerset County Gun Crime Lawyers

If you have been charged with a weapons offense in Somerset County, we may be able to assist you. The law firm of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC regularly represents clients in weapons offense cases in Somerset County. Our firm’s defense attorneys have many years of experience handling these matters. Casey Woodruff and Gary Grabas are both former County Prosecutors and have handled criminal weapons offenses on numerous occasions. Jon Bramnick is a Certified Civil Trial Lawyer with over 25 years of trial experience.

We will work to possibly have the evidence against you suppressed and your charges dismissed. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. You can reach us 24 hours a day: (908) 322-7000.