Monthly Archives: March 2011
Seaside Heights Police Department issues dozens of tickets and criminal charges during St Patrick’s Day Parade
This past weekend, the annual St Patrick’s Day parade took place in Seaside Heights. As Seaside Heights Criminal Defense Attorneys, we have seen a large increase in calls that is normal in the summer, but uncommon in the winter except when big events like this bring a lot of people to town. Common charges include traffic violations such as speeding, failure to observe signal, wrong way, careless driving and DWI. Criminal charges are also common and they include simple assault (bar fights, fights with bouncers), resisting arrest, criminal mischief, harassment, public urination, possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct.
If you are charged with any violation of criminal charge in Seaside Heights, give us a call to speak to a lawyer right away. Because we are local, our fees are very competitive and affordable. However, you will always get high quality representation. Thus, we are sure you will find that a small retainer fee to help avoid large fines, jail, points, license suspension, probation and other penalities, to be well worth it!
Call 732-773-2768 to speak with a Seaside Heights Defense Lawyer right now.
Hoboken issues large number of tickets for Saint Patricks Day Parade including Public Urination and Open Container
This past weekend, the Hoboken Police Department issued a large number of tickets during the Saint Patricks Day Parade. Police issued tickets for Public Urination, Open Container, DWI, DUI, Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct among others. Fines in Hoboken for some of these offenses such as Public Urination could be $2,000. These tickets are big money makers for the city and having a criminal conviction on your record may impact various aspects of your life. Because we do so many cases out of Hoboken, our rates are very competitive. Thus, call us at 732-773-2768 to discuss your case with out of our tough, smart attorneys. Our fee plus the fine we can work out for you (assuming you decide to plea guilty) may be less than half of the maxium fine!
For more information, visit the Hoboken Criminal Defense Lawyers website now.
Joseph Spicuzzo, former Middlesex County Sheriff, charged with corruption
Attorney General Paula T. Dow announced that former Middlesex County Sheriff Joseph C. Spicuzzo was arrested this morning on charges that he demanded bribes of up to $25,000 from individuals seeking employment or promotions in the sheriff’s office. According to the State, Spicuzzo, 65, of Helmetta, N.J., surrendered to State Police detectives in Hamilton, Mercer County. He was charged by complaint with pattern of official misconduct and bribery, both second-degree offenses. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison, with a mandatory minimum term of five years without possibility of parole. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau. The Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau is prosecuting the case.
It is alleged that on two or more occasions from 2007 to 2008, while serving as county sheriff, Spicuzzo demanded that severa people pay him bribes in return for him appointing them as new sheriff’s investigators or promoting them within the sheriff’s office. Sheriff’s officers are hired through the civil service system, but sheriff’s investigators are appointed by the sheriff. It is alleged that Spicuzzo solicited and accepted individual bribes of up to $25,000 from new hires for investigator positions. He allegedly took bribes totaling at least $50,000.
Spicuzzo was Middlesex County Sheriff for nearly 30 years. He is currently Middlesex County Democratic Party chairman, a position he has held for 16 years, and a commissioner on the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, to which he was appointed in December 2009. Clearly, there are many calls for him to step down.
The state’s investigation revealed that young applicants who were trying to obtain law enforcement positions as investigators were forced to use all sources of funding available to them to pay the alleged bribes. It is alleged that Spicuzzo also solicited bribes from more senior members of the office seeking promotion to new positions. The investigation into alleged misconduct by Spicuzzo in the sheriff’s office is continuing, and further details of the investigation have not been released yet.
Under state law, second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000. Each of the charges carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison without parole under New Jersey’s statutory sentencing enhancements for public corruption. The mandatory minimum sentence applies to certain listed offenses occurring on or after April 14, 2007 that involve or touch upon the defendant’s public office. Spicuzzo could potentially face consecutive sentences on the charges.
Tonacchio Law LC 