HACKENSACK, NJ – Individuals facing criminal charges in Bergen County confront consequences that extend well beyond a court appearance, including incarceration, substantial fines, a permanent criminal record, and restrictions affecting employment, housing, and professional licensing. Bergen County criminal defense attorney Adam M. Lustberg of Lustberg Law Offices, LLC (https://www.lustberglaw.com/) has published detailed guidance addressing common criminal charges prosecuted in the county, the penalties associated with those offenses, and the legal processes that may affect a defendant’s case. The resource is intended to help those who have been arrested or are under investigation understand their rights and legal options.

According to Bergen County criminal defense attorney Adam M. Lustberg, New Jersey does not use the terms “felony” and “misdemeanor.” Instead, serious crimes are classified as indictable offenses, graded from the first degree to the fourth degree and heard at the Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, while less serious charges, known as disorderly persons offenses, are handled in municipal courts throughout the county. “Even a disorderly persons offense can result in up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000,” Lustberg explains, “and both categories can create a criminal record that may affect employment, housing, and licensing unless the charge is dismissed or later expunged.”

 

Bergen County criminal defense attorney Adam M. Lustberg notes that driving while intoxicated is one of the most commonly charged offenses in local municipal courts. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher, with stricter thresholds applying to underage and commercial drivers. Penalties increase with higher BAC levels and repeat offenses, and refusing a breath test under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.4a is a separate offense that can be charged alongside a DWI.

 

Drug charges in the county range from simple possession to large-scale distribution, and Lustberg points out that severity depends on the substance, the quantity, and whether the offense occurred near a school zone or public property. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5, manufacturing, distributing, or possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute is an indictable offense, with first-degree charges involving large quantities of narcotics carrying 10 to 20 years in prison. Attorney Lustberg emphasizes that New Jersey offers alternatives such as Pretrial Intervention, Conditional Discharge, and Recovery Court that may allow qualifying defendants to avoid a conviction or pursue treatment-focused supervision.

 

Weapons offenses are strictly regulated in New Jersey, and unlawful possession of a handgun under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5 is a second-degree crime carrying five to 10 years in state prison. Lustberg observes that the Graves Act imposes mandatory minimum sentences for certain weapons offenses, and that permit and licensing issues add complexity for individuals who legally own firearms in other states but are charged in New Jersey. “The consequences of a weapons charge can extend far beyond a potential jail sentence, affecting firearm rights, employment opportunities, and future licensing,” he adds.

 

The Hackensack firm also addresses violent crime allegations, including simple and aggravated assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1, threats under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3, and robbery. Attorney Lustberg advises that defense strategies in these matters often involve self-defense claims, challenging witness credibility, or disputing the severity of alleged injuries. He further notes that domestic violence cases under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17, involve both criminal charges and civil restraining orders, requiring a strategy that addresses both proceedings.

 

Certain offenses carry severe and long-term consequences, including mandatory registration under Megan’s Law, N.J.S.A. 2C:7-1 et seq. Lustberg explains that these cases frequently involve internet-based allegations, delayed reporting, and forensic evidence that requires expert analysis. “Early intervention by a defense attorney is critical because prosecutors and law enforcement begin building their case from the moment a complaint is filed,” he says.

 

The firm additionally handles theft, fraud, and white-collar matters graded by the value of property involved, juvenile delinquency proceedings in the Family Division of the Superior Court, and expungement petitions under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq., which the 2019 Clean Slate amendments expanded. Lustberg also highlights that under New Jersey’s 2017 Criminal Justice Reform Act, most defendants are no longer required to post cash bail, and that a detention hearing is typically held within three business days of a prosecutor filing a motion to detain. Lustberg Law Offices represents clients in Bergen County Superior Court and municipal courts throughout communities including Paramus, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Englewood, Garfield, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Mahwah, and Ramsey.

 

For those facing criminal charges or an investigation in Bergen County, contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney early may help protect important rights and inform decisions that can shape the outcome of a case.

 

About Lustberg Law Offices, LLC:

 

Lustberg Law Offices, LLC is a Hackensack-based criminal defense firm founded by attorney Adam M. Lustberg, who focuses exclusively on defending individuals accused of crimes throughout New Jersey. A graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law and admitted in both New Jersey and New York, Lustberg represents clients at every stage of the criminal justice process, from initial appearances and detention hearings through jury trials. The firm serves clients throughout Bergen County and across the state. For a confidential consultation, call (201) 880-5311.

Email: alustberg@lustberglaw.com 

 

 

Media Contact

Name
Lustberg Law Offices, LLC
Contact name
Adam M. Lustberg
Contact phone
(201) 880-5311
Contact address
1 University Plaza Dr #212
City
Hackensack
State
NJ
Zip
07601
Country
United States
Url
https://www.lustberglaw.com/

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