Domestic Violence Defense in Hamilton Township, NJ
Domestic Violence Attorney in Hamilton Township, NJ
Criminal Defense & Restraining Order Representation in Mercer County
A domestic violence allegation in New Jersey doesn’t produce one legal problem. It produces two at once. A civil restraining order proceeding begins in the Family Division of the Mercer County Superior Court, and a criminal complaint may move through Hamilton Township municipal court or be elevated to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Both tracks run simultaneously, and both carry serious consequences. At The Law Office of Zapicchi & Liller, LLP, we handle both sides of that equation for clients throughout Hamilton Township and the surrounding Mercer County area.
Domestic violence situations don’t unfold on a schedule. A Temporary Restraining Order can be issued at any hour, and a Final Restraining Order hearing is typically set within ten days. The window to build a defense is short, and waiting costs options.
Who New Jersey’s Domestic Violence Law Covers
The New Jersey Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17) applies to current or former spouses, current or former household members, present or past dating partners, and individuals who share a child, provided the victim is 18 or older or an emancipated minor.
The predicate acts covered under the statute extend well beyond physical assault. Harassment, stalking, terroristic threats, criminal sexual contact, sexual assault, criminal restraint, false imprisonment, criminal trespass, cyber-harassment, and contempt of an existing domestic violence order all qualify. Because the statute is broadly written, prosecutors have significant latitude whenever a covered act occurs within a qualifying relationship.
How Domestic Violence Cases Move Through Mercer County Courts
A restraining order application is heard in the Family Part of the Mercer County Superior Court in Trenton. A criminal complaint arising from the same incident follows a separate path, either in Hamilton Township municipal court or at the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, depending on the severity of the alleged offense.
A Temporary Restraining Order can be issued ex parte, meaning a judge hears only the plaintiff’s account and issues the order without notifying the defendant. That order takes effect immediately and remains in force until the Final Restraining Order hearing, generally scheduled within ten days. At the FRO hearing, the plaintiff must establish by a preponderance of the evidence that a predicate act occurred and that the order is necessary to prevent future harm. If a TRO is denied at the municipal court level after hours, the plaintiff has the right to an immediate de novo review of that denial.
What a Final Restraining Order and Criminal Conviction Can Mean
An FRO in New Jersey is permanent. Unlike many other states, it doesn’t expire on its own. Upon entry, the defendant faces a civil penalty of up to $500 and is fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in the New Jersey Domestic Violence Central Registry. The order can restrict contact with children, prohibit return to a shared home, require payment of support or mortgage obligations, and mandate forfeiture of all firearms and firearm permits.
Violating any term of the order, including a single text message to the plaintiff, can result in criminal contempt charges under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9, carrying additional jail time and fines. A criminal domestic violence conviction also produces a permanent record that affects future employment, housing, and professional licensing. These aren’t abstract possibilities. They are documented outcomes that follow from an uncontested or poorly defended proceeding.
Domestic Violence Defense in Hamilton Township from Zapicchi & Liller
Aaron S. Liller and Mario D. Zapicchi have each been practicing law since 2010. They handle every client’s matter personally, studying the facts of each situation before committing to a strategy. No generic playbook gets applied to a case that deserves its own analysis.
Mario has been recognized as a Super Lawyers New Jersey Rising Stars honoree, a distinction based on independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Aaron is admitted to the Federal 3rd Circuit, extending the firm’s courtroom reach beyond New Jersey state courts to the federal level. Both partners bring additional perspective through the firm’s emphasis on intra-firm collaboration. Clients return to The Law Office of Zapicchi & Liller, LLP across multiple legal matters because that combination of access, preparation, and teamwork produces results worth coming back for.
Contact Our Hamilton Township Domestic Violence Attorneys
A ten-day window between a TRO and an FRO hearing leaves little room to act. The Law Office of Zapicchi & Liller, LLP offers prompt, affordable representation with direct access to the partners handling your case. You won’t be handed off to a paralegal or reach a voicemail when the situation is urgent.
Clients Who Came Back More Than Once
One reviewer noted this was their third matter with Mario. That's not luck, that's trust built case by case.
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Mario is an exceptional attorney that not only listened and cared but also represented with confidence.Joe Palomba
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It truly felt like we had a top tier concierge service guiding us to closing day.Mike Dello
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Second time using this law firm for real estate and both times I had a fantastic experience!Siena G
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He got my case dropped; he’s an amazing guy even if he’s not your paid attorney.K D
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He was honest, straightforward, and always answered when I reached out.Robert Breeze
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Really went above and beyond to make sure we closed.Lauren Hernandez
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They were responsive, timely, and very professional.Joseph Kelleher
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The entire process was smooth and well organized from start to finish.Michele Han
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We are out-of-state owners, but everything went smoothly and efficiently.Irena Kocol
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The team was professional, responsive, and incredibly thorough throughout the entire process.Natalie Diamond
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He truly goes above and beyond for his clients, always making sure you feel supported and informed during stressful times.Nick Fryar
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Lindsay was incredibly helpful, responsive, and on top of every detail.Erik Liepins
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He was not only highly skilled but also compassionate and reassuring.jik dzh
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They were knowledgeable, responsive, and made sure every detail was handled properly.Robert Wetzel
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The Law Offices of Zapicchi & Liller did a great job helping us as first-time home buyers to understand the process and protect our interests.Jim Civale
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This was a complex transaction with a number of moving parts, and Aaron handled it with precision, professionalism, and total command of the process.Joseph Dolce
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An awesome experience with a great team of people at this law firm.Loretta Ashley
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We highly recommend this firm if you're considering selling or buying a home.Michael Delpome
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The team was incredibly helpful and responsive throughout the entire process.Patricia Masi
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Lindsay went above and beyond to be accommodating and helpful.Carl Calderone
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It was a really smooth experience.kush shah
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Lindsay specifically was such a pleasure to work with.Breanna Doane
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Communication was top notch and to have him work on my case took all of my stress out of it.jaeger996X
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My experience with him was awesome and, yes, I won my case.Shanay Bryan
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They are responsive, give great advice and will advocate for you every step of the way.Lui G
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From start to finish, their team was professional, organized, and incredibly responsive.Rick McLaughlin
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Mario and his team were wonderful, patient, and understanding, and made sure we were aware of every change in the case.Courtney Bush
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The experience was exceptional from start to finish.Guy Armour
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We used them for both the purchase and sale of our properties.John Peterson
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We had a very good experience with this team.Lisa Peterson
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From the moment I first contacted their office, I felt an immediate sense of care and genuine dedication that completely set them apart.Nyoka N Parchment
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Zapicchi & Liller LLP made our dream home purchase smooth, clear, and stress-free.Irina Asinski
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Sandy was super helpful and explained everything in ways that made sense.Justin
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Highly recommend this attorney and his firm.Art Petrosian
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They made everything such a breeze with purchasing our home.Cait Whitemore
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Everyone was professional, responsive, and really made the process feel smooth and stress-free.Sonia Gracia
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The whole team at Zapicchi & Liller are so personable, knowledgeable, and put their clients first!Marisa Robinson
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Had a seamless experience with them while selling my property.Josh N
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Mr. Zapicchi got my son’s speeding ticket reduced to zero points.arkleston
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I have great appreciation for Mario Zapicchi.Michael Mahon
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Got me out of jail time; I got off with fines.Patrick Lilly
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They helped me find which type of lawyer I needed for my case even though they don't offer those types of services.antonio ortiz
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Awesome 🔥 thank you again. Couldn’t have asked for better representation!Demarcus Johnson
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Every phone call is met with professionalism and personal care.Kimberly Suarez
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If you get in trouble in Bordentown and need help, you gotta go see Mario.Steve Harris
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I had the pleasure of working with Mario Zapicchi to handle a traffic ticket, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional.Umit
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Anytime I called him or texted him, he was quick to respond. Highly recommend him!michael prezioso
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He went above and beyond for my case to get dismissed.Raymond “Krazy” San Lorenzo
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Very helpful and knowledgeable. Went to great lengths to ensure my best defense.Shannon Stegmaier
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His communication throughout both were so helpful.Justyn Roderick
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Mr. Zapicchi not only got the case dismissed but cleared the entire situation from public records, this attorney is amazing.New Vision Remodeling
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Aaron, Sandy, and the team at Zapicchi & Liller are your unsung heroes working diligently behind the scenes.Jason Devino
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Mario is reliable and knowledgeable.khadar potter
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Aaron and team were very helpful and responsive.Gregory Leonberg Jr
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He definitely cares about his clients and did the best possible job representing me.Ashley Robnett
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Excellence and also thorough and pleasant to work with.Cindy Amato Dashko
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I want to thank Mario for doing such a great job and having the patience to go the extra mile.lelia mccants
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He took care of everything for me and was very fair about what he charged me!Dean Cartagena
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They saved me thousands of dollars and charged me very fairly for their top notch services.Deb P
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Insightful, informed, involved, informative. Awesome attorney.Gualberto Gonzalez
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He reassured me he had my back and he definitely followed through, literally the best hands down if you need a great criminal attorney.Erica Adams
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Very professional and the communication is priceless!Dee Dee
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Mario is one of, if not the best lawyer I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting.jon morrell
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I was very pleased with their help and their service!John B. Lewis
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Mario was so easy to work with, and his connections with all the different parties made everything go smoothly.MrColtonMartin
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Mario Zapicchi helped keep my license in New Jersey with traffic violations multiple times.Rohan Sarang
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Mario was super helpful and reassuring. You cannot beat that kind of service.Ade Ibikunle
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All of the staff were wonderful and made me feel valued and heard.Cassie Barrows
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He was responsive, attentive, knowledgeable, consistent, and confident.Nñe White
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I was very pleased with the way I was represented today in court.Shalane Brooks
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They remained in constant communication with me, provided me with all the information I needed and delivered on their promise.Stockton Bond
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I’ve been going to Mario for over four years now and I have to say, he’s by far the best lawyer that I’ve ever encountered.Gwyneth Perfect
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I will always recommend him to everyone I know because of his dedication and care for my ticket.Sabrina Ulshafer
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Mario was absolutely amazing throughout my case; he was very helpful and answered all my questions.hervens escarment
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He was always readily available whenever there was a question.miyopa little
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He really helped me and I would recommend him to anyone who needs an attorney!Katlin Riddle
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He’s a man of his words, no lawyer can guarantee the outcome of any case, but Mr. Zapicchi didn’t make me feel as if I didn’t stand a chance.Stubban Sound
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He was able to get me out of numerous charges and I would highly recommend!Celina Del Duca
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Thank you, Mario, for your awesome, detailed, quick solution to my New Jersey ticket matters.Samira Robinson
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I am grateful for his passion, dedication, and professionalism because that is hard to find.Kayla Hightower
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Had my speeding ticket on the NJ Turnpike, 93 mph, dropped to 0 points.Oleg Farniev
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Mr. Zappicchi assisted me with my divorce in a very kind manner.Vicki McDaid
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Mario and his team were incredibly professional and simply the best in the business.James Hagedorn
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I was unavailable and Mario represented me, and I could not be more pleased with the outcome!Erica Skribner
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I would highly recommend for a traffic violation.Mary Piciocchi
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Great experience! Highly recommend!Pavlo Onyskovets
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I would highly recommend him for any of your legal matters.Muhammad Talha
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Very nice, very well spoken, funny and gets the job done.Collin Cassarini
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By the time my case was in court, he had gotten me a no-points deal and a small fine from a much worse points ticket.Parth Patel
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He took time to explain the process to me and did what he promised.Sonia Akella
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Very professional and got points taken off.Jayquallin
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Helped me out through my struggle and no doubt he was coming through to beat my case as well, very reliable, ask for Mario.Jose Reyes
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He told me what he was going to do and made it happen.mark klosinski
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He was always quick to respond to our questions and helped us to get the best outcome possible!Nancy Padovano
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He explained clearly what possibilities may occur and did his very best to get me the outcome I asked for.Anthony Gonzalez
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He was always patient and never wavered from his word. Kept a calm, empathetic and confident demeanor.Stephanie Davis
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Mario is an excellent attorney who is truly professional and dependable.Kevin Ruppel
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Didn’t have to deal with court at all nor miss a day of work!El Presidente
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Got me the lowest possible cost for my ticket with no points.mike muce
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Mario was so great in helping me resolve a speeding ticket and helped get me down to a 0-point offense.Todd Martin
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Excellent lawyer, great person and does a great job.Carlos Cevallos
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Mario represented me and made sure I didn’t get any points for the violation, and all I had to pay was a $90 fine!Israel McCray
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This attorney went above and beyond to help me get my ticket dropped all the way down.Ce ce
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Mario is very professional and pleasant to work with.M. Y.
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They are super responsive and attuned to the needs of their clients.Anthony Vetrano
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He did an amazing job reducing my crazy 14 points to 4 points only and avoided suspending my license.Arshin Nef
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He got all of them taken care of; reduced drastically or dropped altogether in just a few weeks without us even needing to come back to New Jersey.Shanley Autz
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It was the best court experience I ever was involved in with the least amount of stress, especially during this COVID time.Sue Tonz
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Mario is a consummate professional, very accommodating and easy to relate to.Wayne Kohlmyer
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I appreciated the way you guys were fighting my case.Jude Charles
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Mario Zapicchi handled my case quickly, professionally, and at a fair price.Jay Green
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Mario Zapicchi is a very professional lawyer, no issues, very easy to work with.Alex Andrese
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This is the 3rd time he has helped my family out with traffic tickets and a more serious charge.Sheryl Orlen
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Mario handled everything very professionally and worked diligently to reduce the violation down to 0 points.Carmine
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Mario was absolutely amazing throughout my case. He’s very professional and trustworthy.Rosa Pineda
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He helped me tremendously by getting me the best deal possible!James Edwards
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Best lawyer I've ever seen; he will get the job done.Adam Meszaros
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He is always professional and communicated frequently to keep me informed.Bryan Rice
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They have been really helpful and always available.Hemal Patel
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Went out of his way to send me some info on a matter he took care of last year.Oscar Torres
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Works quick and efficient, great service.Joe C
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Mario Zapicchi is a very professional lawyer. Best prices around, hands down.Cesar Laboy
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I got arrested for marijuana and he handled my case perfectly!Tolga Gunaydin
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If you're looking for someone who knows their practice and will fight for you in court, Mario is your guy.Junior Brown
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Responds quickly to inquiries and is knowledgeable and strategic.Ariel Loza
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Attorney Mario works very quickly and effectively!Akshar Patel
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I entrust Mario with my most valued commodity: my son.Joseph Lombardo
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5 stars is not enough to rate these winners.Wilmage Canes Paul
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He was prompt, professional and highly educated on all laws/regulations.DaVaughn Brockett
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They did all the work and saved me from 2 tickets out of 3 with no points.Luis Felipe Tavarez Pepen
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One of the best attorneys I had the pleasure of ever working for me. Very affordable if you ask me.Brandon Walker
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Very responsive and answered all questions I had involving my case.Jeremy Rodriguez
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Highly recommend this lawyer for any traffic violations.Mast Pharmacy
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Mario was highly communicative, responsive and professional.Matthew Phillips
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I highly recommend him; he is very professional and reasonable at everything he does.Miguelina Rodriguez
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The absolute best help and legal services you could ever hope for, my attorney was with me every step of the way.Tyrell Walker
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If you want a lawyer that’s gonna fight your battle in court, please, please, look no further. Mr. Mario is your guy.SHERRY HALL
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He handled my son's speeding violations with great efficiency.William Ponton
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Out of all the attorneys who help our drivers across the lower 48 states, Mr. Zapicchi is one of the most professional and knowledgeable.J.B. Expedited
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He was extremely helpful! He always got back to me quickly with any information and kept me in the loop.Kira Wojtowicz
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Mario and his assistant are so easy to talk to. I feel like they're family.Kathleen Meszaros
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He had my best interest and communicated everything clearly and in a timely manner.Kash Xan
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He is very professional, responsive, and diligent.Sue Clarke
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He went above and beyond and made us feel at ease during a scary time.Denise Olaff
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My experience with Mario far exceeded my expectations.Ryan Cody
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Aaron stays with you from start to finish.Dan Okavage
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He was extremely patient, helpful, prompt, and no nonsense when dealing with the other lawyer.Lee Anne Aluotto
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I had a positive experience with Mario.Vicki Massa
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Mario is amazing. His skills and respect for his clients are second to none.Rich Holmak