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Violent Crime Defense in Hamilton Township, NJ

Violent Crimes Defense in Hamilton Township, NJ

Criminal Defense for Serious Charges in Mercer County

A violent crime charge in New Jersey puts everything at stake: your freedom, your record, and your future. The Law Office of Zapicchi & Liller, LLP is a criminal defense firm serving clients in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, and throughout New Jersey. Both founding partners, Aaron S. Liller and Mario D. Zapicchi, have practiced law since 2010. From the first call, they give every client individual attention, study the facts before building any strategy, and work together on every file.

Time matters. The earlier an attorney is involved, the more options may be available before a case proceeds to indictment or trial.

If you or someone you know is facing a violent crime charge in Hamilton Township or anywhere in Mercer County, NJ, call The Law Office of Zapicchi & Liller, LLP now at (609) 400-4404.

Violent Crime Charges We Defend

The Law Office of Zapicchi & Liller, LLP defends clients facing a range of violent crime charges in Hamilton Township, NJ, including simple assault, aggravated assault, robbery, armed robbery, weapons possession for unlawful purpose, domestic violence with a violent component, and terroristic threats.

How a charge is classified matters significantly. New Jersey doesn’t use “felony” and “misdemeanor” — it uses “indictable offense” and “disorderly persons offense.” Simple assault can be a disorderly persons offense handled at Hamilton Township Municipal Court. Once a charge rises to aggravated assault, robbery, or another indictable offense, it leaves municipal court and moves to the Mercer County Superior Court in Trenton for grand jury action and prosecution. Aggravated assault alone can be charged from fourth degree up to second degree depending on the circumstances, including whether a weapon was used and the severity of injury.

What a Violent Crime Conviction Can Cost You in New Jersey

SENTENCING RANGES
NJ Indictable Crime Penalties by Degree
First and second degree crimes carry a presumption of incarceration even for a first offense.
1ST DEGREE
10 to 20 years in state prison
Fines up to $200,000. NERA may apply, requiring 85% served before parole eligibility.
2ND DEGREE
5 to 10 years in state prison
Presumption of incarceration applies. NERA may apply for certain violent offenses.
3RD DEGREE
3 to 5 years in state prison
No automatic presumption of incarceration for first-time offenders.
4TH DEGREE
Up to 18 months in state prison
Least severe indictable classification; still a criminal conviction with lasting consequences.

New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA) adds another layer of severity. NERA requires people convicted of certain violent crimes, including robbery, aggravated sexual assault, carjacking, and murder, to serve at least 85% of their sentence before parole eligibility is even considered. A 10-year sentence under NERA means at least 8.5 years served before any parole review.

The consequences extend beyond prison time. A conviction for an indictable crime can affect:

  • Employment and professional licensing
  • Housing applications
  • The right to carry firearms, and voting rights while incarcerated
  • Access to education and financial services

Certain violent crime convictions can’t be expunged from a New Jersey criminal record at all.

How We Approach Violent Crime Defense

No two violent crime cases are the same, and we don’t treat them that way. We study the specific facts of each matter before committing to any strategy, and both partners bring their perspectives to bear on serious criminal files.

Early involvement can affect outcomes. Before a grand jury indictment is issued, there may be an opportunity to negotiate with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office on charge classification or case direction. 

OUR APPROACH
Defense Options We Pursue
Every strategy is built from the specific facts of your case, not a one-size-fits-all playbook.
1
SUPPRESS EVIDENCE
Motions to suppress evidence obtained in violation of constitutional rights.
2
CHALLENGE THE EVIDENCE
Direct challenges to the prosecution’s evidence and its sufficiency.
3
PRE-TRIAL INTERVENTION
Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) where eligible for lower-degree charges.
4
PLEA NEGOTIATIONS
Negotiating with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office on charge classification or case direction.
5
JURY TRIAL REPRESENTATION
Full representation through jury trial when that is the best path forward.

We work toward the best available result given the actual facts of your situation.

If you’re facing violent crime charges in Hamilton Township or anywhere in Mercer County, don’t wait. Call The Law Office of Zapicchi & Liller, LLP at  or reach out to us online today.

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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    Rich Holmak

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