Man behind jail bars representing criminal charges in New Jersey

Criminal Defense

New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer

(Jersey City • Hudson County • Newark • Essex County • Hackensack • Bergen County )

Criminal defense is the legal protection and representation of people who are charged with or being investigated for crimes by State and Federal authorities. Joel Silberman has been regarded as “SuperLawyer” in New Jersey for State and Federal criminal defense. Joel Silberman’s goal is to protect your constitutional rights, challenge weak or unlawfully obtained evidence, and pursue the best possible outcome for you. Naturally, Joel Silberman’s primary goal is to obtain total vindication for you whether that be by obtaining a dismissal, a ‘not guilty’ verdict after trial, or other positive outcomes.

If you have been charged with a crime, been arrested for a crime, or believe you are under investigation by State or Federal authorities Joel Silberman is always available to speak to about your case. Early decisions—what you say, what you sign, and how quickly evidence is preserved—can strongly affect the outcome.

Call 201-420-1913 to request a confidential consultation.

What to do right now if police contact you or you’ve been charged

If you are facing criminal allegations, these steps can help protect you:

Remain Silent – Do not discuss the case with police or investigators without a lawyer present.
Preserve evidence immediately: texts, emails, call logs, photos, videos, receipts, social posts, and witness names.
Timeline – Document a timeline of what happened (times, locations, who was present).

This information does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship.

New Jersey charge classifications (using NJ terms, not “misdemeanor/felony”)

New Jersey’s criminal code (2C) categorizes offenses into two distinct categories:

Indictable Offenses – Indictable offenses are Felony charges which New Jersey classifies by degree:
- First Degree – First Degree Offenses are punishable by 10 years in prison to life.
- Second Degree – Second Degree Offenses are punishable by between 5 and 10 years in prison,
- Third Degree – Third Degree Offenses are punishable by between 3 and 5 years in prison.
- Fourth Degree – Fourth Degree Offenses are punishable by up to 18 months in prison.
Disorderly Persons Offenses and Petty Disorderly Persons Offenses are crimes that are punishable by up to 180 days in county jail. Other jurisdictions commonly refer to these offenses as misdemeanors.

Indictable offenses are handled in New Jersey’s Superior Courts while Disorderly Persons Offenses are handled in New Jersey’s Municipal Courts. Joel Silberman has vast experience defending all felony offenses including, Murder, Sexual Assault, Child Pornography, Narcotics, Racketeering, Theft, Weapons, Guns, Tax Evasion and Fraud.

Likewise, Joel Silberman has handled nearly every kind of matter that is tried in Municipal Court like Simple Assault, Shoplifting, Theft, Narcotics and Driving While Intoxicated.

There is no case that Joel Silberman has not defended in his career.

What happens after an arrest or summons in New Jersey

Most criminal cases will follow this timeline:

Arrest – An individual is charged with offense and is either released by law enforcement or detained at the county jail pending a first appearance.
First Appearance & Bail – If you are detained at a county jail you will be seen the next business day for a first appearance/arraignment. At your first appearance Joel Silberman will work with the prosecution to try and have you released at that time. If the prosecutor believes that you are a flight risk or danger to the community a detention hearing will be scheduled 72 hours later.
Detention Hearing – The detention hearing is a critical hearing. At the detention hearing the prosecutor will attempt to convince the court that you are a flight risk and/or danger to the community. It is critical that Joel Silberman is present for this proceeding. Once a court makes a determination regarding detention it is very difficult to undo that decision. Joel Silberman has handled hundreds of detention hearings. You should not do a detention hearing without an well prepared and experienced attorney.
Pre-Indictment – Generally, a case will receive a pre-indictment court date where you will have the opportunity to see the evidence in your case and decide the best course of action.
Post-Indictment – If your matter cannot be resolved prior to the Indictment the prosecutor will present your case to a Grand Jury. If the Grand Jury returns an Indictment the matter will be assigned to a trial court. Once your matter is Indicted litigation can occur. Motions can be filed and litigation begins in preparation for trial or favorable resolution.
Sentencing

How a criminal defense lawyer helps (what we focus on)

A strong defense is built on the facts and the law—not slogans. Depending on your case, defense work may include:

Constitutional Challenges – Joel Silberman is well versed in 4^th Amendment law related to searches and seizures. Joel Silberman will examine your case in detail to determine if there are any viable motions that might successfully suppress evidence and potentially any incriminating statements that you made.
Challenging the Evidence – Joel Silberman will examine the evidence in your case for deficiencies and issues
Defenses – The has special ways of justifying conduct that may otherwise be deemed criminal. These include things like self-defense. Joel Silberman will ascertain whether your case entitles you to any affirmative defenses.
Negotiation – When appropriate, Joel Silberman will try and find the softest landing for your case that ensures your freedom and keeps your record clean.
Trial preparation – Ultimately, if all else fails Joel Silberman will try your case to verdict. Joel Silberman has tried Gang Racketeering cases, Murder Cases, Narcotics Cases, Robbery Cases, Gun Cases, Assault Cases and many others.

Diversion and record-protection options (eligibility is case-specific)

In many cases Joel Silberman will work to have your case diverted. Diversion is a method in first time offenders’ cases are placed in a program in which the individual can earn a dismissal by not getting rearrested and abiding by any other conditions. New Jersey has two distinct paths to diversion.

Pretrial Intervention (PTI) – Superior Court (indictable matters)

PTI is a diversion program that can provide an alternative to traditional prosecution for eligible defendants, often focused on early rehabilitative services and supervision.

Conditional Dismissal – municipal court (certain eligible offenses)

Conditional dismissal is established under statutes beginning at N.J.S.A. 2C:43-13.1 and may be available for eligible first-time offenders in municipal court, depending on the charge and any prior history.

Criminal charges we defend

We defend clients facing a wide range of New Jersey criminal and municipal charges, including:

If your case involves federal charges, visit our Federal Defense page or call for guidance on next steps.

Municipal court vs. Superior Court vs. Federal court

Your defense strategy depends partly on where the case is being handled:

Municipal court generally handles disorderly/petty disorderly offenses and traffic matters.
Superior Court handles indictable offenses.
Federal court handles criminal charges brought under the United States Code for Federal Crimes.

If you’re unsure which court your case is in call Joel Silberman and he will explain it to you quickly and it in simple terms.

Consequences beyond court (why early defense matters)

Even when a case seems “minor,” criminal charges can affect:

Employment background checks
Professional licensing and certifications
Education and housing opportunities
Firearms rights
Immigration status (for non-citizens)
Family and custody matters

The right approach isn’t only about the next court date—it’s about protecting your future.

About our Jersey City criminal defense office

The Law Offices of Joel Silberman LLC is headquartered in Jersey City and focuses on criminal defense across New Jersey, including Hudson County Criminal Defense, Essex County Criminal Defense, Bergen County Criminal Defense, Monmouth County Criminal Defense, Union County Criminal Defense, Somerset County Criminal Defense, Passaic County Criminal Defense, Ocean County Criminal Defense, and the District of New Jersey Federal Criminal Defense

Clients typically want:

Clear explanations of what is happening and why
Prompt updates and reliable communication
A defense plan based on evidence and law (not guesses)

Call 201-420-1913 to request a confidential consultation.

Testimonials

“I cannot recommend Joel Silberman, Criminal Defense Lawyer, highly enough! As someone dealing with extreme anxiety and facing the court system for the first time, I was incredibly overwhelmed. From our first meeting, Joel’s empathetic and understanding nature made me feel like I was talking to a friend rather than just a lawyer. He managed to bring my anxiety down to zero and, most importantly, he got my misdemeanor case dismissed with a clean record. If you want a lawyer who truly cares and delivers results, there is simply no one else like him. I will forever only trust him and will recommend him to my family and friends! You can tell he breathes, eats, and sleeps thinking about law! He is extremely passionate about defending others.” – Solangy Perez

“Joel constantly comes through. He has helped me and I have sent my family and friends to him. He does whatever he can to try and win and makes you feel safe and comfortable. He is like having a guard dog by your side going into battle!.” – Jason

“In my opinion, Joel is an exceptional attorney. I have no hesitation in recommending your professional legal services and I commend you on how friendly, accessible and efficient you are.” – Rogers

“I had a wonderful experience with Joel. He was the best attorney and friend I could have ever come into contact with. Joel saved my life and my family from total and utter destruction. Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into my son’s case.” – Stephen

“Joel is an outstanding defense lawyer! Very proactive, reliable, quick and he defends his client vigorously. Not only had he saved me, but also my time and money from the endless court fees, fines and other expenses as well.”- Christopher

Disclaimer: “Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.”

FAQ – Criminal Defense in New Jersey

Do I need a lawyer if I received a summons (not an arrest)?

Yes. A summons is still a criminal charge. The only difference is that a determination was made that you were not a flight risk and not a danger to the community and could be released on a promise you will appear in court. The consequences for a summons are just as serious as those charges placed on a warrant complaint.

What’s the difference between a public defender and a private criminal defense lawyer?

A public defender is a government-provided attorney for eligible indigent defendants; private counsel is retained directly by the client. New Jersey’s Office of the Public Defender provides representation in many criminal matters for those who qualify.

Can I avoid a conviction?

Joel Silberman’s goal is do all he can to help you avoid a conviction.

Will I go to jail?

Your freedom means everything to Joel Silberman. Unfortunately, the loss of freedom is sometimes a consequence of the legal system but Joel Silberman has successfully helped hundreds of people avoid jail and prison sentences through creative and dedicated legal work and advocacy based on his decades of experience.

What should I bring to the consultation?

Bring all the paperwork you have regarding your case.

Contact a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer

If you or a loved one has been arrested, charged, or is under investigation in New Jersey, contact Joel Silberman without hesitation for a free of charge consultation.

Call: 201-420-1913
Office: 26 Journal Square, Suite 300, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Email: joel@joelsilbermanlaw.com

Disclaimer: Information on this website is for general purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Contacting our office does not create an attorney-client relationship unless and until a written agreement is signed.