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Clear Guidance

Strong Defense.

Clear Guidance

Strong Defense.

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Criminal Defense Attorneys in New Jersey

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Our Practice Areas

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Traffic Violations

Traffic crimes in New Jersey include driving without insurance and fleeing an accident scene. We know how to fight for your driving privilege.

Criminal Defense

Our New Jersey criminal defense attorneys handle a wide range of offenses, from misdemeanors to felonies, vigorously challenging evidence and protecting your rights.

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Violent Crimes

New Jersey aggressively prosecutes murder, rape, aggravated assault, and other violent offenses. You can’t expect leniency. You’ll need skilled, experienced legal counsel.

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Theft

Specific theft charges depend on the value of the items taken. Shugar Law Office has considerable experience representing theft defendants.

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Sex Crimes

Sex crimes in New Jersey include sexual assault and criminal sexual contact. Courts may impose life imprisonment on violent or repeat offenders.

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Property Crimes

Property crimes include arson, trespassing, burglary, theft, and criminal mischief. The specific charges depend on the value of the items taken, damaged, or destroyed.

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Internet Crimes

Internet cybercrimes are often complex and highly technical. Your criminal defense attorney must prepare and present a robust, strategic defense.

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Gun Crimes

The courts often reduce or dismiss drug possession charges. When a conviction for possession is inevitable, we seek court-ordered counseling or treatment.

Drug Crimes

Drug trafficking and manufacturing are serious crimes in New Jersey. Our attorneys may move to have evidence suppressed and charges dismissed.

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Juvenile Defense

We fight DWI (driving while intoxicated) charges by casting doubt on police testimony and/or the results of chemical DWI tests.

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Offenses & Civil Rights

Arson charges depend on the extent of the damage. We’ll take your arson case to trial or ask the court to reduce the charge.

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Post‑Conviction & Record Relief

The consequences for assault convictions can be severe, even for a simple assault charge. We ensure the court hears your side of the story.

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Schedule Your Free Consultation

If the Police Arrest You, Take These Steps

If New Jersey police officers arrest you and the state charges you with one or more criminal offenses, do not resist the police officers. Cooperate and comply, but don’t let law enforcement officers violate your constitutional rights. Instead, insist politely on exercising those rights.

After police officers take you into custody in New Jersey, your rights include:

1. The right to remain silent: it’s essential to exercise this right.
2. You also have the right to have your criminal attorney present for any interrogation.
3. These rights remain in effect throughout the entire legal process.

Do not sign any legal document or statement, and do not agree to a plea bargain before you have consulted an attorney. New Jersey law is exceedingly complicated. You can’t act as your own attorney. Too much will be at stake. Instead, take your case to an attorney at Shugar Law Office.

Criminal defense attorneys consulting with a client at Shugar Law Office in New Jersey
Experienced criminal defense attorneys providing clear guidance and strong defense in New Jersey.

Client Success Stories

Very professional! Excellent Communication. They got me results.
I am very pleased with their support. I highly recommend John and the team if you have a traffic issue. Everything got resolved professionally and quickly.

Greg Shugar took on some serious traffic offenses with me and went to every court appearance that the court dragged us through mutiple unfruitful appearances and in the end it was a slam dunk , dismissal on all charges!!! Highly reccomended !!!

Would like to thank Greg for his Excellent Representation. I really enjoyed working with you. You kept me informed every step of the way. You are a really nice person & a pleasure to deal with. Would highly recommend you again & again.

How Does New Jersey Classify Crimes and Impose Criminal Penalties?

The New Jersey criminal defense attorneys at Shugar Law Office represent clients charged with disorderly persons crimes and indictable crimes. Disorderly offenses and petty disorderly offenses are the equivalent of misdemeanor offenses in other states.

Indictable offenses are roughly comparable to felony offenses. New Jersey has established four degrees of indictable offenses:

1. Fourth-degree offenses in this state are punishable upon conviction with up to eighteen months in jail or prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
2. Third-degree offenses are punishable upon conviction with a fine of up to $15,000 and three to five years in prison.
3. Second-degree offenses are punishable upon conviction with a fine of up to $150,000 and five to ten years in prison.
4. First-degree crimes are punishable upon conviction with a fine of up to $200,000 and ten to twenty years in prison.

Criminal defense attorney consultation at Shugar Law Office in New Jersey

Meet Our Attorneys

Gregory P. Shugar, Esq.

Gregory P. Shugar, Esq.

ATTORNEY

Tara R. Shugar, Esq.

Tara R. Shugar, Esq.

ATTORNEY

Natalie Pavone, Esq.

Natalie Pavone, Esq.

ATTORNEY

How Will Our New Jersey Defense Attorneys Help You?

A New Jersey criminal defense lawyer at Shugar Law Office will investigate the alleged crime, review the state’s case, and develop an aggressive, effective defense on your behalf. We protect our clients’ rights and interests and help them make informed choices about their legal options.

We strive to win a positive outcome for every client. Depending on the details of the case, a favorable outcome may mean negotiating an acceptable plea bargain, having the case dismissed, or winning a not guilty verdict at trial. We bring our legal knowledge and training, diverse backgrounds, and decades of criminal law experience to every client and every case.

Whether the charge against you is a disorderly persons offense or an indictable crime, and whether you are guilty or innocent, the legal team at Shugar Law Office will provide strong defense representation and treat you with the courtesy and respect you deserve.

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Why Choose Shugar Law Office?

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We Are Experienced New Jersey DWI Attorneys

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a common offense in New Jersey. The science and law that a DWI case entails is complex, so you must be defended by a lawyer with extensive DWI knowledge and considerable experience representing DWI defendants. We’ll review your case and develop an appropriate defense strategy.

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We Vigorously Defend Every Client

Contact Shugar Law Office immediately if the police arrest you and the state charges you with domestic violence, assault, or homicide. The penalty may be severe if you receive a conviction for a violent crime. We can help. We also represent clients charged with minor traffic violations and disorderly persons offenses.

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Every Client Receives Courtesy and Respect

Many law firms offer little personal attention, but at Shugar Law Office, a criminal defense lawyer will meet with you, personally handle your case, and keep you informed. We’re renowned for offering outstanding client service, and our lines of communication remain open if you need our guidance and advice.

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We Are Skilled and Experienced Criminal Attorneys

Attorneys Gregory Shugar and Tara R. Shugar have successfully defended hundreds of clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Attorney Natalie Pavone’s practice focuses on traffic tickets, DWI, and related charges. Let the Shugar Law Office team put our skills, legal knowledge, and considerable experience to work for you.

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Initial Legal Consultations Are Free

Your initial legal consultation with the Shugar Law Office team is free. We’ll address your concerns, answer your questions, and provide reliable, practical advice about the best way to handle your case. There is no obligation to hire us after this consultation, and you’ll owe no attorney’s fee.

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Let Shugar Law Office Serve You

We’re easy to reach. We have law offices across New Jersey. We’re also located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. If you face any criminal charge in New Jersey or the Doylestown area, or to learn more about our legal services, call Shugar Law Office at 609-544-2811 to schedule your no-cost initial consultation.

How Will We Handle Your Case?

To convict someone of a criminal offense, the prosecution must demonstrate that individual’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defenses offered against most criminal accusations include:

1. A different and lesser crime occurred, and the court or prosecutor should lower the charge.
2. Another individual committed the crime, and the victim (or another party) has misidentified the defendant.
3. No crime occurred, and the allegation is false.
4. The defendant did not have criminal intentions and genuinely believed the action was legal.
5. The defendant was acting in self-defense or in the defense of a third party.

Shugar Law Office offers a warm, welcoming environment for our clients to discuss their legal needs and concerns. Throughout the criminal justice process, we will protect your rights and interests. We offer frank, practical guidance and advice with high-quality legal representation. We know how to win the justice you deserve and bring your case to its best possible outcome.

New Jersey criminal defense attorneys providing strong legal guidance
New Jersey criminal defense attorneys offering legal consultation

Our Latest Blog Posts

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December 17, 2025

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Your home is your sanctuary. Most people assume that the law treats breaking into a house far more seriously than

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November 11, 2025

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Are you facing the criminal charge of violating a restraining order in New Jersey? If so, you may be wondering

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October 22, 2025

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Facing a DUI Charge In New Jersey is Always Serious, But There Is Help Available. If you face a Driving While

Will Your Case Require a Trial?

Most criminal cases in New Jersey never go to trial. But if the prosecutor and court cannot drop or dismiss your case, unless the state’s evidence is overwhelming and your conviction is certain, Shugar Law Office will take your case to court, cast doubt on the prosecution’s witnesses and evidence, and ask the jury to return an acquittal.

But if a guilty verdict is inevitable, your criminal trial attorney may opt to negotiate with the prosecutor for a reasonable plea agreement. In most New Jersey plea deals, a defendant receives alternative or reduced sentencing in return for a guilty plea to a lesser charge.

Of course, you cannot accept a plea deal or anything less than an acquittal if you are innocent. Insist on your right to a jury trial, where a New Jersey criminal defense attorney with Shugar Law Office will fight aggressively and effectively on your behalf.

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Frequently Asked Questions