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Gun crimes in New Jersey carry severe penalties. When you are charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, you may face a sentence of up to ten (10) years in prison, or decades more if other crimes were involved, such as robbery, burglary, rape, kidnapping, theft, and more. Even more difficult, the crime of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose is governed under the New Jersey Graves Act which requires you to serve 85 percent of your sentence before you are parole eligible.
Whatever the circumstances of your arrest for this offense, you face a serious battle for your freedom. Now is not the time to face it alone or to hire an inexperienced criminal defense attorney. Bergen County criminal lawyer Adam M. Lustberg is an experienced, aggressive gun crimes defense attorney who will vigorously fight to achieve the best outcome on your behalf. If you have been charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in Newark, East Orange, Hackensack, Paramus, Rochelle Park, or anywhere else in New Jersey, contact Adam M. Lustberg today to start your defense.
In New Jersey, a charge for possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes is broken down by degrees:
Additionally, if convicted under the New Jersey Graves Act, you face mandatory parole ineligibility.
Because it is the responsibility of the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crimes you’ve been charged with, the prosecution must establish the following elements in your possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose case:
We have years of experience in courts through NJ and NY and a proven track record of success in criminal cases.
The specific language of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, the New Jersey statute for possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, sets forth the following:
a. Firearms. Any person who has in his possession any firearm with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
b. Explosives. Any person who has in his possession or carries any explosive substance with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
c. Destructive devices. Any person who has in his possession any destructive device with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
d. Other weapons. Any person who has in his possession any weapon, except a firearm, with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
e. Imitation firearms. Any person who has in his possession an imitation firearm under circumstances that would lead an observer to reasonably believe that it is possessed for an unlawful purpose is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
To prepare a successful defense against a charge of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in NJ takes meticulous preparation. The earlier preparation and negotiations with the prosecutor and police begin, the greater the potential for a solid case to minimize your penalties or get them dismissed is greater. Experienced Hackensack criminal defense attorney Adam M. Lustberg has extensive experience in the criminal courts and has earned a reputation as a skilled, effective litigator.
If you have been arrested for possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in Bergen County, Essex County, or anywhere else in New Jersey, it is imperative that you select a competent and experienced trial attorney. Contact Lustberg Law now for a free case review and evaluation.
Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Please be advised that the results achieved in any given case depend upon the exact facts and circumstances of that case. The Lustberg, Law Offices, LLC cannot guarantee a specific result in any legal matter. Any testimonial or case result listed on this site is based on an actual legal case and represents the results achieved in that particular case, and does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction of the outcome of any other legal matter.