Mercer County, Robbery

With a population of just over 380,000 citizens, Mercer County is the 12th most populous county in New Jersey. The following facts are also true about Mercer County:

1. Mercer was named for Continental Army General Hugh Mercer
2. Mercer is the home county for the New Jersey state capital in Trenton.
3. Mercer is home to Princeton University and many other secular and religious institutions.
4. Mercer County votes Democrat in presidential elections.
5. Mercer County’s Total Crime Risk is rated at “78,” which is below the national average, while the most common crimes are Robbery (107), Murder (97), Automotive Theft Risk (92), Personal Crime (86), Property Crime (78), Property Crime (76), Larceny (73), Burglary (70), Assault (69), Rape (68).
6. Mercer County does not like robbery and treats it harshly.

Mercer County robbery defense attorney Tara Breslow-Testa is the first person you should speak to if you are accused or arrested for any crime, from disorderly persons to drug crimes to robbery.

Tara Breslow-Testa knows when the courts want to be lenient, and when they want to be strict. Tara understands the intricacies of Miranda rights, probable cause and search and seizure and can negotiate for charges to be reduced or dropped due to procedural mistakes by police or courts.

She knows how to navigate a case into Pre Indictment Court, Pre Trial Intervention and other diversions designed to allow first time criminals to make good on their infractions and clear their records - and save the accused potentially years in prison, and fines in the tens of thousands of dollars.

For a free consultation, contact Tara Breslow-Testa at (732) 784-2880

Remember the scene in Pulp Fiction where the crook (Pumpkin) stands up in the diner, shows a handgun and shouts: “Everybody be cool, this is a robbery!” Well Pumpkin was exactly right, as the definition of robbery involves the threat of physical harm and/or use of a weapon.

In Mercer County, robbery is popular among the criminal class, but that popularity is not reflected in court - where such crimes are dealt with harshly in comparison to lesser crimes such as disorderly persons or drug crimes.

New Jersey statutes define robbery as theft where the thief inflicts bodily injury or uses force upon another; or threatens another with or purposely puts him in fear of immediate bodily injury; or commits or threatens immediately to commit any crime of the first or second degree.

New Jersey crimes can be graded from first to fourth degree, but the baseline for robbery is a second degree crime. The penalty for second degree robbery is a sentence of 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.

Robbery becomes a first degree crime if in the course of committing a theft, the thief attempts to kill someone, or carries, uses or threatens the use of a deadly weapon - from a knife to a handgun. The penalty for robbery in the first degree is 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

“In the course of committing a theft” means there is a threat of physical harm during the theft, or when the thief takes flight after the theft is attempted or accomplished.

Representing citizens accused of robbery in Mercer County, Tara Breslow-Testa is a robbery defense attorney who understands the line between first and second degree robbery, and she should be by your side if you are being investigated, accused or arrested.

Carjacking is a form of robbery, if a person stealing the car physically harms or threatens to physically harm the driver or occupants with physical violence, or brandishes a deadly weapon. Carjacking is a serious, first degree crime in New Jersey, with a minimum of five years in prison, and a maximum of 30 years.

First and second degree robbery come with a presumption of incarceration which means even if it’s a first offense and/or you have no prior record, you are going to prison. And robbery falls under the No Early Release Act, which requires a defendant to serve 85% of their sentence before eligibility for parole.

So don’t do it! But if you are accused of robbery in New Jersey, a good chunk of your present or future life is on the line, and the first person you should talk to is Tara Breslow-Testa, a robbery defense lawyer serving Mercer County. Ms. Breslow-Testa is fully aware that New Jersey courts have little patience for someone committing a violent theft, and she understands the tactics of aggressive prosecutors, and what judges will and will not allow.

Tara Breslow-Testa will argue for Pre Indictment Court or Pre Trial Intervention - which require some fancy arguing, when it comes to robbery. Tara Breslow-Testa will also examine the arrest and if proper procedures were followed - from reading Miranda rights to how the accused was treated while incarcerated.

Mercer County robbery defense attorney Tara Breslow-Testa knows the law, understands procedure and you want her by your side if you are accused of robbery.

Or if you are accused of anything, from disorderly persons to drug crimes to robbery to murder. Mercer County criminal defense attorney Tara Breslow-Testa has the experience and dedication to represent you in court.

For a free consultation, call Tara at (732) 784-2880