Author Archives: jefhenninger
Jury finds client not guilty of burglary charges in 20 minutes
This was a tough case. My client is a 7’2 Hispanic man so you cannot confuse him with anyone else. He was charged with burglary of his ex-girlfriend’s house and theft of thousands of dollars of her property. A neighbor testified that he saw my client in the driveway of the home at the time of the burglary. My client also lied to his ex by telling her that he was in Florida at the time. He also sent her a text message on the same day asking her if anyone would be home during the time of the burglary. My client did not have a solid alibi for the time of the burglary either. Thus, the State seemed to have a slam dunk case. Nevertheless, I fought hard for the client and methodically exposed all of the holes in the State’s case. I estimate that it only took the jury 20 minutes to reach their not guilty verdict. The incredible speed of that verdict tells me that the jury had no question about my client’s innocence which was amazing to me given the strength of the State’s case on paper. I doubt I will be able to get a faster verdict than that in the future as it takes time to take a vote and fill out the form. Thus, this is what I consider, an instant verdict.
Client gets probation for role in robberies
My client was facing charges of first degree robbery for being the get away driver for two robberies. He confessed before he hired me and as a result, he was facing 10 to 20 years for each robbery count. Of that, he would have to serve 85% before he would be eligible to be released on parole. Needless to say, the State had good case since the client confessed. The case took over a year and a half to finish up. The plea offer was 3 years in prison without 85%. Getting that plea offer was very difficult. Getting the Court to go along with it would have been a great accomplishment in and of itself. So, I was happy that we got that. At sentencing, my associate Jennifer Marshall filled in for me. Even though it seemed like an impossible take, she argued for probation. The Court was so persuaded by her arguments that the Court sentenced the client to a probationary term so that he did not have to spend one day in jail/prison.
North Brunswick football coach under investigation for possible altercation with student
Football coach and social studies teacher Mark Zielinski is under investigation for possibly having “some sort of conflict” with a student at a home game on Oct. 23. Oddly enough, this accusation just came out over the weekend. The parents of the child claim that this was because they were waiting for the football season to be over.
This coach needs a good attorney but I’m afraid he will get a union attorney who may do next to nothing for him. His attorney needs to launch a full investigation today. Not next week. not next month, not waiting to see what happens. Lock everyone into a statement now and figure out who is friend or foe. Not only will this help the attorney prepare for the defense of the case but it will likely shut down the entire case right here.
Why do people opt for the no-cost or low-cost attorney? In my opinion, it is usually because people are in denial and they think that nothing bad will happen. Of course, people like this coach have everything on the line so they should get the best help they can get. We’ll see where this goes.
Story is here.
Assistant pastor for Mahwah Full Gospel Church charged with sexual assault
Curtis Franklin, the assistant pastor for Mahwah Full Gospel Church in Bergen County has been charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and child endangerment. The State alleges that he assaulting a girl, whom he met through the church’s youth ministry, about six years ago. What took six years and why all of a sudden this came up is unknown.
I’m not sure how much assistant pastors make but he really needs a good attorney. It is possible to win this case if the attorney knows what he or she is doing. The timing of all this will be the key focus of the case. Of course, this assumes that he did not confess.
Story is here.
Edison high school coach/South Plainfield teacher charged with sexual assault
Let the debate begin. Another female teacher charged with sexual contact wiith a minor. My guess is that she will not do any jail time. She’ll get a union attorney and this case will go away quickly. These cases just seem to have a pattern.
Sarah Blessing, 27, of South Plainfield, a coach at Bishop George Ahr High School and a fifth-grade teacher at Park Middle School in Scotch Plains, has been charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a girl. The State alleges that she had a relationship with a girl that began in June and continued until her arrest.
Story is here.
New Jersey DYFS Attorney
To speak to a NJ DYFS Lawyer right now, call 732-773-2768.
My phone seems to be ringing off the hook lately with people calling up about DYFS cases. In New Jersey, DYFS cases can be independent of any criminal case or they can be integral to a criminal investigation and/or charge. For example, DYFS can close a case but the County Prosecutor’s office can pick it up and prosecute one or both of the parents. Likewise, DYFS can take action against a parent even though the Prosecutor’s Office has not brought any charges.
On the other hand, a police investigation can lead to DYFS involvement and more importantly, a DYFS investigation can quickly turn into a criminal investigation. Besides the police, DYFS in New Jersey can be called by a hospital, a school or a neighbor. Thus, it is extremely important to call a New Jersey DYFS attorney at the first sign of trouble. Some people wait for months but quite often, it is far too late at that point. Anything said to DYFS, hospital staff, school officials and police can be used against the parent in both a case to terminate parental rights and the criminal case.
Common DYFS allegations in NJ include: shaken baby syndrome, sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, drug abuse and alcohol abuse. If there are criminal charges, at least one of the charges usually includes endangering the welfare of a child.
DYFS may claim that the same attorney cannot represent a parent in a DYFS case and the resulting criminal case. They may fear that the information received in the DYFS case may provide the parent with an advantage in the criminal case as the parent will receive evidence that may be unavailable to the usual criminal defendant. However, New Jersey courts have shot this down and the law is clear: one attorney can represent the same person in both proceedings. However, they may still try to catch a naive attorney off guard. Thus, hiring a knowledgeable New Jersey lawyer is important.
If you have a pending DYFS investigation or case in any court in New Jersey, call the team of tough, smart lawyers that will fight for you. With 10 offices in New Jersey, we are easy to reach no matter where you live. Call 732-773-2768 to speak with our NJ DYFS lawyers at any time of the day.
Offices in Toms River (Ocean County) Freehold, Red Bank, Eatontown (Monmouth County) New Brunswick, Woodbridge, East Brunswick (Middlesex County) Princeton (Mercer County) Jersey City (Hudson County) and Newark (Essex County).
Tonacchio Law LC 