N.E.R.A. (No Early Release Act)

Ocean County NJ NERA Defense Lawyers

When you are charged with a violent crime in Ocean County or anywhere else in New Jersey, the prosecutor will try to apply the No Early Release Act (“NERA”), which allows the sentencing judge to impose a period of parole ineligibility for certain violent offenses. NERA is a complex and diverse law that requires the expert knowledge and strategy of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to navigate around its application. Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is a law firm with over 100 years of combined experience that frequently defends individuals charged with violent crimes in Ocean County. If you have been charged with a violent crime such as Murder, Aggravated Manslaughter, Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Robbery, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, Vehicular Homicide, Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer, Carjacking, Aggravated Arson, or Burglary you may be exposed a NERA application. Our former prosecutors and skilled defense lawyers have successfully defended NERA eligible cases for decades in the county, including one arising in Toms River, Lakewood, Lacey, Berkeley and Brick. for decades and we are aware of all the steps and proceedings associated with its application and how to approach getting around it. If you would like to speak with an Ocean County defense attorney about a violent crime charge then call us today at (732) 286-6500 for a free initial consultation.

Application of NERA to Criminal Charges in Toms River New Jersey

If you have been charged with a violent crime then may be exposed to the No Early Release Act (NERA). Under this Act, a person convicted of a violent crime must serve 85% of the sentence imposed before becoming parole eligible. This means that if you are sentenced to 10 years you must serve a mandatory minimum 8 ½ years in jail. In general, NERA applies to all aggravated assault offenses of the Second Degree and to several varieties of Third Degree aggravated assault and it does not matter if you are a first-time offender. In fact, the only way to avoid NERA is to avoid the conviction of a violent crime by either being acquitted, accepting a plea, or being found guilty of a lesser, non-NERA offense. NERA is applied after the defendant is found guilty of the underlying crime upon a finding that offense was also a violent crime. Under our law, a violent crime is when an individual uses or threatens the immediate use of a deadly weapon which was actually capable of producing death or serious bodily injury. “Serious bodily injury” is defined as bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. An example of this is when a defendant uses or threatens to use a gun during a robbery. NERA also applies to sex crimes where the defendant used or threatened the immediate use of physical force during an aggravated sexual assault or a sexual assault.

Toms River NJ NERA Attorney

If you have been arrested or charged with a violent crime in Ocean County such as aggravated assault, sexual assault, or robbery and you fear that NERA may apply then you need to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Prosecutors will look to apply NERA whenever the crime meets the standards. This makes hiring a qualified lawyer during the pre-indictment stage even more essential. Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is an Ocean County Criminal Defense Firm located in Toms River, NJ that has over a century of collective experience. Our office is comprised of former municipal and county prosecutors who know how to effectively attack a charge such as the one filed against you in Ocean Township, Stafford, Little Egg Harbor, Jackson or another municipality. The sooner you consult with our firm, the quicker we can get to work on your case so we can decrease your exposure, negotiate with the prosecutor to get you the best resolution, or prepare your case for trial. Attorneys at the firm are available for free initial conferences at your convenience. Contact our Toms River Office at (732) 286-6500 to speak to one of our lawyers now.