Warren County Weapons Charges Defense Lawyers

Weapons and Firearms Possession Attorneys in Warren and Sussex County NJ

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1, a weapon is anything readily capable of lethal use or of inflicting bodily injury. The keyword here is “anything.” So, if you are involved in a dispute or an altercation in Sussex or Warren County that results in criminal charges and you had in your possession any object whatsoever,  including guns and other firearms, ou could potentially be charged with a weapons offense under New Jersey’s criminal laws.  If you are charged with a weapons crime in Hopatcong, Newton, Washington Borough, Hackettstown, Phillipsburg, or elsewhere in Sussex County or Warren County, you could be facing steep fines and even worse, mandatory jail time pursuant to the Graves Act. Fortunately, the criminal defense attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm have handled countless weapons cases in New Jersey and are ready to fight on your behalf. Contact our offices today at 973-755-1695 to receive a cost-free consultation about your case and find the answers you need to protect your innocence.

Gun and Weapons Charges Lawyers in Andover NJ

Weapons in New Jersey

Specifically, the term “weapon” specifically includes, but is not limited to, all firearms, loaded or unloaded, gravity knives, switchblade knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, or other dangerous knives, billies, blackjacks, bludgeons, metal knuckles, sandclubs, slingshots, cesti or similar leather bands studded with metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood, stun guns, and any weapon or other device which projects, releases, or emits tear gas or any other substance intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or permanent injury through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air.

Common NJ Weapons Offenses

The two most common weapons offenses in New Jersey are the unlawful possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4. According to New Jersey’s weapons possession laws, any person who knowingly has in his possession any handgun without first having obtained a carry permit is guilty of a second degree crime and if the handgun is a BB or pellet gun, it is a third degree crime. Similarly, any person who knowingly has in his possession any rifle or shotgun without first having obtained a firearms purchaser identification card is guilty of a third degree crime. And any person who knowingly has in his possession any other weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for lawful uses is guilty of a fourth degree crime. As for the possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, the possession of any firearm with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is a second degree crime and the possession of any weapon other than a firearm with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property is a third degree crime.

Prohibited Weapons and Certain Persons in New Jersey

The New Jersey Criminal Code also establishes a list of weapons and devices that are strictly prohibited such as sawed-off shotguns, silencers, switchblades, brass knuckles, and handcuffs, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3, as well as a list of “certain persons” who are prohibited from possessing weapons, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7. But as with most laws, there are applicable exceptions set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6. For example, the prohibition on possessing a handgun, rifle, or shotgun does not apply to prevent a person from keeping or carrying about his place of business, residence, premises or other land owned or possessed by him, any firearm. Thus, as with all legal situations, the totality of the circumstances will largely determine the outcome of the case and it is important to have an experienced defense attorney on your side.

Contact Belvidere Weapons Offense Lawyers to Discuss Your Case

Regardless of the type of weapons offense you’re facing in Sussex or Warren County, the criminal defense team at the Tormey Law Firm has over twenty years of combined legal experience and they’re only one call away from defending your case. Contact these highly knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys to receive your cost-free consultation.