Criminal Defense in Hamilton Township & Mercer County
Felony Defense Attorney Serving Hamilton Township
Both Founding Partners Review Every Serious Criminal Case
New Jersey generally uses the term indictable offenses for felony-level charges. We defend people facing these serious allegations in Mercer County Superior Court, where the facts, degree of the charge, and procedural history can shape the available defense options.
At , Aaron S. Liller and Mario D. Zapicchi have each practiced law since 2010. Both founding partners work together on every file, reviewing the evidence before developing a strategy. A charge is an allegation, not a finding of guilt, so we recommend seeking legal guidance before the first court appearance when possible.
Call to speak with our criminal defense attorneys serving Hamilton Township about the allegation, upcoming court dates, and your next steps.
How New Jersey Indictable Offense Cases Proceed
The New Jersey Superior Court Criminal Division manages these cases from arrest through resolution. Early proceedings may address pretrial release, including whether and under what conditions someone remains out of custody, as well as discovery, court scheduling, and arraignment.
If a case isn’t dismissed, diverted, or downgraded, the prosecutor may present evidence to a grand jury. The grand jury decides whether there is a sufficient basis to issue an indictment and allow the prosecution to continue. An indictment isn’t a conviction, and the State must still prove the charge.
Important stages may include:
- Reviewing the complaint, release paperwork, and court-imposed conditions.
- Grand jury consideration and the filing of an indictment.
- Arraignment, discovery review, and pretrial conferences.
- Motion practice, plea negotiations, or preparation for a jury trial.
Indictable Charges We Defend
The classification and possible consequences of a charge depend on the statute, its degree, the alleged conduct, any prior record, and other case-specific facts. Allegations arising from the same incident may require different defenses because each offense has distinct elements the State must prove.
Our criminal defense practice includes allegations involving:
- Assault and aggravated assault.
- Arson, burglary, theft, and receiving or handling stolen property.
- Weapon possession and other alleged violent crimes.
- Drug possession, distribution, and related drug charges.
- Identity theft, insurance fraud, and other white-collar crimes.
- Cyber crimes and obstruction of justice.
We handle matters ranging from serious crimes in Mercer County Superior Court to disorderly persons offenses in Municipal Court. Our first step is to determine what has actually been charged rather than assume related allegations require the same response.
Building a Defense Around the Evidence
We don’t select a strategy before examining the facts. Aaron and Mario review the available evidence together, identify unresolved issues, and discuss the possible paths with the client.
Our review can address several decision points:
- The State’s evidence: We examine the materials provided through discovery and compare them with the elements prosecutors must prove.
- Searches and seizures: We consider whether evidence was obtained lawfully and whether a motion to suppress may be appropriate. This motion asks the court to exclude evidence obtained in violation of legal protections.
- Resolution options: Depending on the facts and governing law, we may assess diversion, charge negotiations, or plea negotiations without assuming any option is available.
- Trial preparation: If a case proceeds toward trial, we prepare around the evidence, disputed facts, and applicable legal standards.
Aaron’s externship with the U.S. Department of Justice and admission to the Federal 3rd Circuit bring federal legal context to our collaborative review. Mario is licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, adding another perspective when allegations involve cross-border issues.
Direct Attorney Attention for Serious Criminal Charges
Clients work directly with attorneys who know their files rather than receiving a one-size-fits-all response. We give each person individual attention regardless of complexity, with both founding partners contributing to the review and strategy.
We provide prompt, professional service with attention to affordability. Mario has also been recognized as a Super Lawyers New Jersey Rising Stars honoree, a selection based on independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.
Hamilton Township & Mercer County Superior Court
Hamilton Township is within Mercer County, whose Criminal Division is part of New Jersey Judiciary Vicinage 7. Serious charges are generally handled in Superior Court, although a case may first involve Municipal Court before being transferred, downgraded, or otherwise resolved. Because Municipal Court involvement doesn’t necessarily mean the allegation will remain there, we review the charging documents and procedural posture before explaining what may come next.
Get a Fact-Based Review Before Your Next Court Date
If you’ve been arrested, charged, contacted by investigators, or given a court date, contact us so Aaron S. Liller and Mario D. Zapicchi can review the situation. Have the complaint, summons, release paperwork, court notice, and other available documents nearby to make the initial discussion more productive.
A consultation doesn’t replace your obligation to attend court or follow existing release conditions. It can give you a clearer understanding of the allegation, the court process, and the defense options that may fit the facts.
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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They definitely looked out for our best interest during the purchase of our new home.Bruce Turner
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I've got a few homes with these guys and I've never been disappointed.Matt Casper
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Truly a life saver. If you're facing similar charges, call him and pay him — he's worth every penny!Daniel Sanchez
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From the beginning, he was professional, knowledgeable, and made sure I understood what was happening with my case.adoran johnson
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They are very knowledgeable and respectful of clients' needs.Moreno Graziano (Graz)
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They made what could have been a stressful process smooth and straightforward, kept me informed every step of the way.Vince Feminella
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The support and guidance they provided was instrumental in our negotiations.Tymin Chan
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Hiring Mario Zapicchi was the best decision I made. I am deeply grateful for his professionalism and dedication.Steven
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They were prompt, thorough, and a pleasure to work with!Deanna Kissel
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Professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate from start to finish.Aya D.
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She was incredibly transparent, efficient, and trustworthy throughout the sale of my condo.Joe Guida
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Their attention to detail, professionalism, and commitment to their clients exceeded every expectation we had.Angela Iglesias
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Greatest lawyer alive, excellent service, great prices.Ewee Meme
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Aaron and his team made the buying and selling of our home so much less stressful.Alex Grala
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We mostly worked with Lindsay Buszko, Paralegal, who was responsible, knowledgeable, and kind.Don Smith
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Amazing people and super knowledgeable.Sean BigFishy88
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They were incredibly thorough, responsive, and detail-oriented throughout the entire closing process.王Caroline
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We were supported and kept informed of all the details of our transaction, from attorney review to the final closing.Steven Dillon
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The team was professional, responsive, and incredibly thorough throughout the entire process.Sridhar Chebolu
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Very thorough and clearly explained the process.Mary Grlic
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Every email, phone call, and question was responded to within a timely manner.Paul Laponzina
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They were absolutely amazing and handled every detail.Cathy Placenti
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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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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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We had a very good experience with this team.Lisa Peterson
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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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Had a seamless experience with them while selling my property.Josh N
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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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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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Mario Zapicchi handled my case quickly, professionally, and at a fair price.Jay Green
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I appreciated the way you guys were fighting my case.Jude Charles
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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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Very responsive and answered all questions I had involving my case.Jeremy Rodriguez
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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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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