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.
