New Jersey Defense Lawyers for Weapons Offenses

Proven Criminal Defense Lawyers Help Clients Fight Gun and Weapons Charges Across New Jersey

In this day and age, there are many ways that you can find yourself facing criminal weapons offense charges.  Even possession of a weapon that you own legally can spell trouble if you are carrying the gun outside your home without a proper permit.  Even if you have no prior criminal record, weapons offenses carry extremely harsh penalties, including prison time subject to mandatory minimum sentencing rules.  You need a skilled, experienced weapons offense defense lawyer by your side to safeguard your legal rights.

At Team Law, the skills of our defense lawyers have been tested and proven over the past 60 years.  We have a reputation for providing innovative solutions and custom-tailored defense strategies for our clients.  When you need help the most, you can count on our defense lawyers to put the full weight of our skills into fighting your weapons offense charges. 

Because New Jersey gun laws are so strict, our clients often find themselves charged with a weapons offense without even realizing that they were violating the law.  In some cases, you might find yourself faced with charges under the New Jersey Graves Act, which imposes mandatory minimum prison time if convicted.

Our lawyers understand the complex laws that govern weapons offense cases.  If you are charged under the Graves Act, Team Law can petition for a waiver and fight to avoid mandatory minimum jail time.  When facing any charge involving a weapon, contact an experienced defense lawyer at Team Law as soon as possible.  We will find out what the prosecution intends to use against you and form a defense strategy specifically designed to weaken their case.

New Jersey Weapons Offenses

Some common examples of weapons offenses in New Jersey include:

• Illegal possession of an illegal firearm or other weapon (some weapons are deemed so dangerous that it is illegal to even possess the firearm under N.J.S.A 2C:39-3)
• Possession of a firearm that is legal to own, but without the proper documentation, licenses or permits under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5
• Possession of a firearm by someone not legally permitted to possess a firearm, which may be the case if you were previously convicted of a felony, or are on parole or probation, or subject to a restraining order (under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7)
• Possession of a weapon for an illegal purpose under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4
• Possession of a weapon during commission of a crime
• Graves Act violations (pertaining to weapons offenses involving guns)
• Juvenile weapons offenses

Harsh Penalties Apply if Convicted of a New Jersey Weapons Offense

The penalties for a weapons offense conviction can vary depending upon whether the weapon was a firearm or another type of weapon, as well as based upon the exact weapons offense alleged.  Examples of the potential penalties a weapons offense conviction can carry include:

• Unlawful possession without proper permits is a third or fourth-degree felony, depending upon the type of weapon.  Illegal possession of handguns, rifles, shotguns, machine guns and assault weapons is a third-degree crime punishable by up to five years in prison.  Illegal possession of other types of weapons is a fourth-degree offense carrying up to 18 months in jail.

• Possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes can be graded as a second, third or fourth-degree felony.  If the weapon involved was a firearm or explosives, second-degree charges may apply (with a potential for five-to-ten years in prison).  On the other hand, possession of imitation firearms intended to be used unlawfully is a fourth-degree offense.

• Possession of a weapon that is prohibited by law to be possessed by a citizen is a third or fourth-degree felony (exceptions may apply for law enforcement officers).  These types of weapons include sawed-off shotguns, defaced firearms, switchblades, gravity knives and other specified weapons.

• Possession of a weapon by someone not lawfully permitted to carry a weapon is graded depending upon the circumstances.  Defendants who were previously convicted of certain violent crimes, such as robbery, sexual assault and aggravated assault, can face second-degree charges (with a minimum five-year prison term without parole).  Defendants who had previously been convicted of a domestic violence offense (even as a disorderly persons offense) can face third-degree charges (up to five years in jail).

Our Aggressive Approach to Fighting Weapons Offense Charges

The penalties associated with almost any weapons offense conviction are harsh.  Even if you have never been convicted of a crime, you might be facing mandatory minimum jail time.  That’s why our experienced lawyers at Team Law take an aggressive approach to developing your defense strategy.  Our strategy might include:

• Challenging an illegal traffic stop
• Challenging an illegal search and seizure of your home or property
• Questioning the validity of a warrant to search
• Arguing that you did not have the required intent
• Challenging the prosecution’s ability to prove every element of the offense charged beyond a reasonable doubt

Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation with a Lawyer Experienced in Handling Weapons Offenses Today

Getting a permit to carry a firearm outside your home in New Jersey is virtually impossible.  Further, the reach of New Jersey weapons offenses is extremely broad—and these charges are taken particularly seriously by prosecutors and judges.  Even if you are a first offender, you should take weapons charges seriously, as well.  Speaking with our experienced defense lawyers for weapons charges is an important step to protecting your freedom.  Call or contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Weapons Offenses in New Jersey