Police Misconduct Attorney in New Jersey

When Law Enforcement Crosses the Line—We Push Back

Facing criminal charges is daunting. Facing them after experiencing abuse of power, unlawful searches, or civil rights violations by police? That’s a miscarriage of justice. At Shugar Law, we defend clients throughout New Jersey whose constitutional rights were violated by law enforcement during an arrest, investigation, or interrogation.

Holding Law Enforcement Accountable During Criminal Defense

Shugar Law is not a personal injury firm—we don’t file civil suits for damages. We are criminal defense attorneys who use evidence of police misconduct to strengthen your defense, suppress illegally obtained evidence, and challenge improper arrests.

If you’re a suspect or defendant in a criminal case and believe police crossed the line, we help you take action through the courts.

We defend clients in cases involving:

• Unlawful search and seizure
  
• Excessive use of force
  
• False imprisonment
  
• Coerced confessions
  
• Lack of probable cause or reasonable suspicion
  
• Tampering with evidence or false reports
  
• Malicious prosecution
  
• Due process violations

Common Forms of Police Misconduct in New Jersey

Many cases of police misconduct go unreported or are buried in internal investigations. But when misconduct results in a criminal charge, it must be addressed aggressively. Common violations include:

• Warrantless searches of your home, vehicle, or person
  
• Being detained or arrested without probable cause
  
• Excessive force during arrest or questioning
  
• Failure to read Miranda rights before interrogation
  
• False statements or misleading police reports
  
• Tampering with body cam footage or evidence
  
• Arrests based on profiling or retaliation
  
• Attempts to pressure a false confession

Whether the misconduct occurred at the scene, in the squad car, or at the station, you have the right to an attorney who will challenge every unethical move made against you.

How Misconduct Impacts Your Criminal Case

In the criminal justice system, integrity matters. If police violate the law, your case can be profoundly affected:

• Illegally obtained evidence may be excluded under the exclusionary rule
  
• Statements or confessions may be suppressed
  
• Entire cases may be dismissed when law enforcement crosses legal boundaries
  
• Officers may be called out in court for patterned abuse of power

Shugar Law uses procedural violations to build leverage and weaken the prosecutor’s case, ensuring your defense is rooted in constitutional protections.

We Don’t File Lawsuits—We Fight Charges

Some law firms handle personal injury lawsuits against police departments. That’s not what we do. We focus solely on protecting criminal defendants whose rights were violated during the arrest or investigation process.

Our mission is to:

• Challenge flawed police tactics
  
• Protect your civil liberties
  
• Fight for dismissals, reduced charges, or acquittals
  
• Ensure that justice applies to everyone—even when law enforcement breaks the rules

Related Criminal Defense Services

If you’re facing criminal charges in New Jersey, we can help across a wide range of legal areas, including:

• Assault & Violent Crime Defense
  
• Criminal Matters & Felony Defense
  
• Expungement Services

If your case involves drug offenses, weapons charges, or resisting arrest, and you believe your rights were violated, we’ll evaluate every aspect of the police conduct involved.

Why Choose Shugar Law?

Our firm takes a justice-first approach. We work to expose police misconduct when it affects your defense and push back against abuse of power with skill and tenacity.

When you hire Shugar Law, you get:

• A defense strategy that integrates constitutional law and real-world case evidence
  
• New Jersey Defense attorneys experienced in courtroom litigation, not just negotiation
  
• Relentless pursuit of suppressed evidence and dismissed charges
  
• A team that believes in holding the criminal justice system to its own standards

Speak With a Police Misconduct Attorney Today

If you were arrested or charged with a crime in New Jersey and believe the police violated your rights, it’s critical to act fast. Don’t let misconduct go unchallenged. Contact Shugar Law today for a confidential evaluation of your case.

We stand up to law enforcement misconduct—because the law applies to everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Police Misconduct and Criminal Defense

What is police misconduct in the context of a criminal case?

Police misconduct occurs when a law enforcement officer violates legal or ethical standards while investigating or arresting a suspect. In a criminal case, this can include unlawful search and seizure, false imprisonment, coerced confessions, or the use of excessive force. These actions can infringe on your civil liberties and may make critical evidence inadmissible in court.

Can I have my charges dropped if my rights were violated?

Yes, in some cases. If police obtained evidence without a valid warrant, probable cause, or reasonable suspicion, your attorney can file motions to suppress that evidence. If the misconduct undermines the prosecution’s case significantly, it may result in a dismissal or reduction of charges. At Shugar Law, we use every available defense to expose abuse of power and defend your rights in court.

What are my rights if I’m arrested by the police?

You have the right to:

• Remain silent
  
• Refuse consent to a search without a warrant
  
• Be informed of your Miranda rights
  
• Have legal counsel present during interrogation
  
• Be free from unreasonable force, threats, or intimidation

If any of these rights were ignored or violated, it may constitute police misconduct. A skilled criminal defense lawyer can investigate and act on these violations as part of your defense.

What’s the difference between police misconduct and personal injury?

Personal injury claims deal with physical harm and monetary damages—such as a civil lawsuit after being injured by police. Shugar Law does not handle personal injury cases. We focus strictly on criminal defense, where the misconduct is used to protect your legal rights and challenge your criminal charge in court.

What should I do if I think the police lied in their report?

Contact a police misconduct attorney immediately. False reports, tampering with evidence, or fabricated statements can lead to malicious prosecution. Your lawyer can subpoena police body cam footage, request records, and cross-examine officers to reveal inconsistencies. Courts take false reports seriously—especially if they led to your arrest or imprisonment.

How can excessive force impact a criminal trial?

If excessive or unreasonable use of force was used during your arrest, it may affect the admissibility of evidence, raise questions about due process, or even create grounds for dismissal. Even if force didn’t cause serious injury, it may still qualify as misconduct under both state law and United States constitutional protections.

Is there a statute of limitations on police misconduct?

Yes, but in the context of a criminal defense, the issue is not how long you have to file a complaint—it’s whether the misconduct affects your case today. If you’re currently facing charges and believe police acted illegally, the timing of the misconduct becomes a strategic point in suppressing evidence or undermining the prosecutor’s case.

Can I be convicted even if the police violated my rights?

Unfortunately, yes. Courts may still allow certain evidence or testimony if the violation doesn’t meet the legal threshold for suppression. That’s why having a criminal defense attorney who understands search and seizure law, evidence evaluation, and court procedure is critical. At Shugar Law, we examine every detail to expose any miscarriage of justice.evaluates the full context of your child’s history and works to present a holistic, rehabilitative argument in court.