Berlin NJ Criminal Attorneys

The Berlin Municipal Court is one of the busier municipal courts in all of Camden County. In the past two years alone, over 2,000 criminal charges and 7,000 traffic citations were issued within Berlin, New Jersey. If you or a family member are one fo the unfortunate individuals who have been arrested or ticketed in Berlin, the Law Firm of Proetta & Oliver can assist. We routinely represent clients charged with Drunk Driving, assault, drug possession, harassment, theft and shoplifting. The Berlin Municipal Court handles all disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses, municipal ordinances and traffic offenses that take place within the borough’s limits. Contact our office for more information regarding any pending or upcoming court dates for criminal or traffic tickets in Berlin, New Jersey. For a complimentary consultation with an attorney, please contact our office today at (609) 832-3202.

Berlin, New Jersey Municipal Court Information

The Berlin Municipal Court is located at  59 S White Horse Pike in the Borough of Berlin. The municipal building holds regular operating hours but the Municipal Court is only in session on the First, Second and Fourth Monday of each month at 9:00 AM. The Municipal Court in Berlin is presided over by the Honorable Krisden McCrink, J.S.C.. The Berlin Municipal Prosecutor is Richard DeMichele, Esq., and the Court Administrator is Kelly Foster. For more information about the Berlin Municipal Court, please click here.

Where is Berlin, New Jersey?

According to the United States Census Bureau, Berlin covers just above 3.6 square miles and maintains a population just under 8,000 people. While the borough is relatively small, it does see a significant amount of commuter traffic due to Route 30/White Horse Pike running through the borough. Berlin is surrounded by towns like Berlin Township, Pine Hill, Voorhees, Evesham and Atco.

Criminal Charges at the Berlin Municipal Court

Out of the nearly 1,600 criminal charges and 7,000 traffic violations issued in the Borough of Berlin on a two-year basis, certain charges occur more often than others. Here is short breakdown with information links regarding come of the common criminal charges and traffic tickets handled in the Berlin Municipal Court:

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) / Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (Drug DUI)
• Simple Assault / Domestic Violence
• Possession of Marijuana
• Theft of Movable Property
• Criminal Mischief 
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident / Failure to Report an Accident
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving While Suspended

What if I’m Charged with Drug Possession in Berlin NJ?

Drug possession, whether the drugs are on your person or in your house or car, is usually a third degree crime. Drugs (or their synthetic equivalents), such as heroin, cocaine, and oxycontin, are illegal to possess, whether the drugs are yours or not, unless you have a valid prescription for the pharmaceuticals in your possession. In other words, you can be charged with possession of drugs if you are in a car as the passenger, for example, knowing that there are drugs in the trunk. In that instance, you may be charged with constructively possessing the drugs for the time you are in the car and being a participant in the illegal possession of the drugs, even if you were not directly controlling the car or the contents of the car.

To prove you knew the drugs were in the trunk may be challenging to a prosecutor, but overheard conversations between you and the driver may reveal that you knew or other circumstantial evidence, such as your excessively nervous behavior when the police pulled the car over. But you cannot be convicted of possession if you happen to be in the same room or car with someone who possesses drugs. There must be some evidence that you were a participant in owning or maintaining the drugs, even if just temporarily. If you are charged with possession, you may be charged with a felony crime of the third or fourth degree. It can also be a disorderly persons offense in limited circumstances. The degree of the charge makes a huge difference, as it determines whether your case is heard in Berlin Municipal Court or Camden County Superior Court, as well as the extent and severity of the consequences a conviction could lead to.

For example, third degree crimes carry a three-to-five-year prison sentence and up to $35,000.00 in fines. A fourth degree crime carries a sentence of up to 18 months and a fine of up to $10,000. If convicted of either, you stand to lose your driving privileges with a six-month license suspension. Depending on where you possessed or distributed the drugs, say, at or near a school, you may also be subject to mandatory minimum sentences that require you to complete a substantial portion of your sentence before becoming eligible for parole and community service hours. Mandatory minimum sentences are also given to repeat offenders, but the laws in New Jersey are harsh when it comes to mandatory minimum sentences, especially for drug charges.

Berlin NJ Assault Lawyers 

If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Berlin, New Jersey then Criminal Attorney William C. Fay, IV, Esq., can help. Mr. Fay is a former Deputy Attorney General in New Jersey and currently heads the Criminal Practice Group in Camden and Burlington County for the law firm Proetta & Oliver. Mr. Fay’s experience working as a defense attorney and a a State’s Attorney have provided him with a plethora a knowledge and experience that make him uniquely qualified to represent you in your matter. If you would like to speak to Mr. Fay today for a free consultation regarding your upcoming court date at the Berlin Municipal Court or for Central Judicial Processing (CJP) in Camden County Superior Court, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (609)832-3202. We provide free consultations over the phone and can be reached 24/7 for your convenience.