Fort Lee NJ Gun Possession Defense Attorneys
The unlawful possession of a weapon is a very serious offense in New Jersey, one that if convicted, could land a defendant behind bars for a decade. The unlawful possession of a weapon is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5. As you will see, this offense also falls under what is known as the Graves Act. The Graves Act was instituted about a decade ago to try an curb the sudden up rise in gang violence that New Jersey was facing. It in essence created mandatory State prison sentences and mandatory parole ineligibility terms for defendant’s convicted of unlawfully possessing a handgun. However, what the legislature failed to do was carve out an exception for out-of-state, innocent owners, who just happen to be traveling through the State. For more information on the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun, please check out our weapons practice series by clicking here. Since Fort Lee is located directly across from NYC, it is a pipeline for illegal activity. Therefore, Fort Lee police officers are on heightened alert to catch individual’s transporting weapons in and out of the State. The Law Offices of Marshall, Bonus, Proetta & Oliveris an experienced Fort Lee NJ gun defense firm. We have over 100 years of combined experience on staff. If you or someone you know has been charged with unlawfully possessing a gun in Fort Lee, we can help. For a free initial consultation please contact our Bergen County Office at 1-800-682-4037. Now here is an example of the Fort Lee Police charging a defendant with the unlawful possession of weapon.
Defendant Charged with Unlawful Possession of a Gun in Fort Lee NJ
According to the reports, a police officer just happened to be patrolling a LukOil gas station in Fort Lee, New Jersey when he became alerted that one of the vehicles at the pump had the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the inside compartment. The Officer apparently approached the vehicle, ask the operator to exit the vehicle. Once outside the vehicle, the officer asked the operator for permission to search the vehicle (Known as Consent to Search). The operator allegedly gives the officer consent to search the inside compartment of his vehicle.
Based on the operator’s consent, a search of the vehicle was conducted and during the search the officer’s discovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun under the driver’s seat. Furthermore, it is alleged that the weapon, once run through a database, turned up stolen out of Virginia. Shockingly enough, the reports do NOT indicate that any marijuana was found inside the vehicle, which was the basis for asking the now Defendant for consent to search his vehicle. The Defendant has formally been charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon and receiving stolen property. He is currently being held on a $15,000 bail.
If you or someone you know has been charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon in towns like Fort Lee, Hackensack and Elmwood Park, the Law Offices of Marshall, Bonus, Proetta & Oliver can help. For a free initial consultation, please contact any one of our Bergen County Offices at 1-800-682-4037.