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New Jersey Criminal Defense Trial Attorney and Family Law Attorney with Proven Results, Clifford E. Lazzaro PC

Firm Overview

Clifford E. Lazzaro P.C. was founded by attorney Clifford E. Lazzaro in 1992 and is known for rigorously representing clients facing criminal charges as well as clients facing family law matters. With over three decades of legal experience, including time spent as an assistant prosecutor for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and as a special deputy attorney general for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office before entering private practice, Clifford E. Lazzaro offers invaluable insight into navigating the criminal justice judicial system. His courtroom and trial experience has been put to good use at the firm to assist many clients through even the most difficult and complex cases. He is the criminal defense trial attorney and family law trial attorney you can rely on.

Firm Focus

With a focus on criminal law, family law, appellate law and municipal court matters, our firm is equipped to handle a wide range of legal matters. Whether you’re dealing with a serious criminal charge which may go to trial before a jury, going through a complicated and messy divorce, need assistance with an appeal or a DUI charge in Municipal Court, Clifford E Lazzaro, PC is ready to stand by your side and fight for your rights. We represent clients in Atlantic County (Atlantic City and Mays Landing), Bergen County (Hackensack), Essex County (Newark), Hudson County (Jersey City), Hunterdon County (Flemington), Mercer County (Trenton), Middlesex County (New Brunswick), Monmouth County (Freehold), Morris County (Morristown), Ocean County (Toms River), Passaic County (Paterson), Somerset County (Somerville), Sussex County (Newton) and Union County (Elizabeth).

Monmouth County, New Jersey Criminal Defense Trial Attorney Protecting Your Rights

If you are facing a federal or state criminal investigation or have been charged with a crime, having a strong advocate at your side from the start is critical. When you work with our lead attorney Clifford E. Lazzaro, you can trust that he will aggressively defend your rights and freedom through every step of the process.

Our firm has extensive experience with a proven track record of success in navigating complex legal landscapes, handling cases under the following areas:

• Murder, Aggravated Manslaughter, Manslaughter, Attempted Murder, Felony Murder, Death by Auto, Assault by Auto, Aggravated Assault, Robbery, Carjacking. All No Early Release Act (NERA) offenses.
• Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Contact. Megan’s Law offenses, NERA applicability and TIER Classification Hearings.
• Child Pornography including Distribution of Child Pornography, Possession of Child Pornography and Internet Crimes.
• Lengthy Narcotics investigations involving wiretaps for Drug offenses including Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances, Leader of a Narcotics Network, Maintenance of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Possession of a Weapon in furtherance of Drug Distribution.
• Weapons Offenses including Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Includes NERA offenses and Graves Act sentencing exposure.
• Domestic Violence and Restraining Order Hearings.
• Trials including Motions to Suppress Physical Evidence Seized in violation of the 4th Amendment, Motions to Suppress Wiretaps, Motions to Suppress Statements in violation of Miranda Rights, Motions to Suppress Suggestive Identifications based upon Police Misconduct, Motions to Dismiss Indictments.
• Sentencings and Appeals. Defending against discretionary and mandatory extended terms.
• Driving While Under the Influence (DUI)

Deportation Consequences for non-US citizens if Convicted of Felony Offenses or Indictable Offenses in Federal or State Court in New Jersey or a DUI or Simple Assault in Municipal Court or a Final Restraining Order in Superior Court

If you are not a United States Citizen and are convicted of a felony offense in a United States District Court in New Jersey (Newark, Trenton or Camden) or are convicted of an indictable offense in the Superior Court of New Jersey or are found guilty of DUI or a simple assault in Municipal Court or if a Final restraining Order (FRO) is issued against you on a domestic violence case in the Superior Court of New Jersey, you may be deported from the United States and that is why it is very important to hire experienced and trusted legal counsel like Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. while the charges are pending. If you gained entry to the United States and want to remain in the United States, it is important to have experienced counsel like Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. defend and represent you to avoid being convicted of a crime and deported. Give Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. a call at (732) 866-1600 or email us at celesquire@msn.com.

If you are charged with a serious criminal offense on a federal or state case in New Jersey or have been served with a temporary restraining order, Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. can help you. Give us a call at (732) 866-1600 or email us at celesquire@msn.com.

Monmouth County, New Jersey Divorce and Family Law Attorney

If you need experienced legal representation for a divorce, child custody, or child support issue, contact the law firm of Clifford. E. Lazzaro P.C. Clifford E Lazzaro will provide the best possible legal representation for your family law needs.

Our expertise covers a wide range of family law matters, including:

• Divorce and property division
• Pendente lite (temporary alimony) emergent support
• Grounds for divorce
• Divorce mediation
• Alimony in divorce
• Legal Separation
• Family law mediation
• High net worth divorce case
• Modifications to child support and custody orders
• Prenuptial agreements
• Post-nuptial agreements
• Post-divorce judgement issues
• Restraining orders and domestic violence

Our lead attorney, Clifford E Lazzaro, concentrates in matrimonial law and offers clients a specific insight into what they are facing in a a high net worth divorce case, child custody or child support case. Whether you are preparing for divorce, seeking alimony, the modification of a family court order or protecting yourself from someone else, Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. can help. Give us a call at (732) 866-1600 or email us at celesquire@msn.com.

Monmouth County, New Jersey Municipal Court Attorney

Disorderly Persons Offenses Are Heard in Municipal Court:

Criminal offenses that are essentially equivalent to misdemeanors are known as disorderly persons offenses in New Jersey. Disorderly persons offenses are punishable by a maximum of 6 months (180 days) in the county jail, plus a fine not to exceed $1,000. When a disorderly persons charge is filed against a person in New Jersey, it is handled in the municipality where the offense occurred. Some of the most common disorderly persons offenses handled in this court include simple assault, theft, shoplifting and criminal trespass.

Traffic Offenses Are Heard In Municipal Court:

Whether you’re facing traffic violations, such as speeding or reckless driving, our lead attorney, Clifford E. Lazzaro can provide skilled representation to help you navigate the complexities of traffic court.

DUI Offenses Are Heard In Municipal Court:

• New Jersey DUI arrests are considered a very serious offense and judges are not lenient on people who are convicted. Penalties for a drunk driving conviction are severe.
• Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. also handles cases involving Driving under the Influence of Drugs, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, and Refusal to Submit to a Breathalyzer Test.
• Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. has filed suppression motions challenging the constitutionality of Blood Warrants in DUI cases.
• Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. has hired and utilized DUI and DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) experts for expert reports and as expert witnesses at trial.
• Clifford E Lazzaro has successfully represented clients who were not convicted of their DUI offense or offenses after trial.

If you require legal representation on any matter pending in a Municipal Court in New Jersey, please contact Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C. for assistance. Give us a call at (732) 866-1600 or email us at celesquire@msn.com.

Monmouth County, New Jersey Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief  Attorney

If you have been convicted of a crime you can challenge the conviction through an appeal or post-conviction relief. These processes differ depending on whether your case was heard by New Jersey’s state court system or a federal court. Clifford E. Lazzaro brings more than 30 years of experience in evaluating the options available in your case as well as the likelihood of success.

Appeals in Federal and State Court Cases

An appeal is a direct challenge to a judge or jury’s ruling in a case. There are many factors that are grounds for an appeal. Appeals are generally based on:

• Procedural problems. Judges are responsible for deciding what instructions and legal concepts juries are allowed to hear. These decisions play a great part on the outcome of any trial. We challenge a judge’s decisions when they had a prejudicial effect.
• Evidentiary issues. When a judge improperly allows or excludes evidence, there may be grounds to appeal your case.
• Questions of law. Sometimes a judge interprets a law incorrectly. In other cases, a judge may have correctly applied a law that we believe is unconstitutional. In these cases, an appeal lets us put those decisions in front of a higher authority.
• Ineffective assistance of counsel. The ineffectiveness of trial counsel can serve as a basis for appeal.

Clifford E. Lazzaro successfully appealed his client’s conviction on one count of sexual contact and one count of child abuse on the grounds that the admission in evidence at the trial of a writing as an “excited utterance” under New Jersey Rule of Evidence 803(c)(2) as a hearsay exception was reversible error. In its Decision reversing the conviction, the Appellate Division addressed an issue not previously resolved in its reported jurisprudence. State v. A.C.

Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) as an Alternative to an Appeal

Both New Jersey and federal courts allow you to attack the validity of your conviction through a motion for post-conviction relief (PCR). The purpose of Post-Conviction Relief is to challenge your conviction, or, sometimes, your sentence. You may file for this relief in order to demonstrate that you were wrongfully convicted and that your constitutional rights were violated. The violation could have occurred at any phase of the criminal proceeding against you, including during the investigation, arrest, pre-trial, plea hearing, trial or sentencing.

Grounds for filing a PCR include a significant denial of a constitutional right either under the federal constitution or the constitution or statutes of New Jersey.

Under the court rules of New Jersey, there are five general categories under which courts grant post-conviction relief:

• The defendant suffered a substantial deprivation of his or her state or federal constitutional rights, including a violation of procedural or substantive due process.
• The trial court lacked jurisdiction to impose a judgment of conviction upon the defendant.
• The sentence imposed exceeded or was otherwise not in accordance with the sentences authorized by law.
• Trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a direct appeal of the judgment of conviction upon the defendant’s timely request.
• Any other ground previously recognized for relief under a petition of habeas corpus or another statutory or common law remedy from conviction.

Committed to Your Success

If you have already been convicted of a crime, it is essential that you exercise your rights to appeal your conviction immediately. Clifford E. Lazzaro P.C. appeals or challenges cases and verdicts based on ineffective assistance of counsel, new evidence or constitutional challenges. Contact Clifford E. Lazzaro P.C. for an evaluation of your case at (732) 866-1600 or email us at celesquire@msn.com.