Shrewsbury Criminal Defense Lawyer
The best result in a criminal case is often the one that never reaches a conviction: a charge dismissed, downgraded, or resolved in a way that leaves your license, job, and record intact. Sanvenero & Cittadino, LLC is a law firm that handles criminal and municipal court defense, DWI, traffic tickets, and firearm permit appeals for people in Shrewsbury and throughout Monmouth County, along with clients in Ocean and Middlesex Counties and across New Jersey. A Shrewsbury criminal defense lawyer works on that outcome from the first day, not the day before trial.
Shrewsbury is unusual because it has two separate municipal courts, one for the Borough and one for the Township, and the Township’s sessions are actually held in Red Bank. Knowing which court has your summons, who prosecutes there, and how that court tends to handle first-time offenders is the kind of local detail that shapes strategy. Most disorderly persons offenses, traffic matters, and DWI charges start and finish in these municipal courts, while indictable charges move up to the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold.
Why Choose Sanvenero & Cittadino for Criminal Defense Near Shrewsbury
Sanvenero & Cittadino, LLC serves individuals, families, and business owners across Monmouth County, including Shrewsbury, Red Bank, Rumson, Middletown, Holmdel, Colts Neck, Tinton Falls, Freehold, Long Branch, and Asbury Park, as well as Toms River and Ocean County and clients throughout Middlesex County. The firm is built around divorce and family law but is a full-service practice, and its criminal defense work covers felony (indictable) charges, disorderly persons offenses, DWI and DUI, traffic tickets, domestic violence related charges, and firearm ID application appeals. Clients are told plainly where they stand, and calls are returned.
Richard Sanvenero, Managing Partner, is a New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Matrimonial Attorney who previously served as a law clerk in the Family Part of the Superior Court of New Jersey. That background matters more than it might seem in criminal defense, because so many criminal charges in this area overlap with family court: a domestic violence complaint can produce a restraining order hearing and a criminal case at once, with custody and finances riding on both. Joshua Cittadino, Founding Partner, brings experience in real estate, construction litigation, personal injury, employment matters, and business transactions, which helps when a charge threatens a client’s livelihood or business. Mike Canarick, Of Counsel, is a tax and estate planning attorney, giving the team depth when a case touches finances. Our attorneys are admitted in New Jersey, New York, Florida, and the District of Columbia, and several have been recognized by Super Lawyers.
The firm works as one coordinated team across family, business, real estate, estate planning, and litigation. For a defendant, that means one set of lawyers who can see how a criminal charge affects a divorce, a professional position, or a company, instead of handing you off to unrelated firms.
Charges a Shrewsbury Criminal Defense Attorney Handles
- DWI and DUI: Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, you can be charged for driving under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or other drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more. Commercial drivers can be charged at 0.04%. Drivers under 21 face separate penalties for any BAC from 0.01% to 0.07%. Cannabis impairment is treated like alcohol impairment.
- Breath Test Refusal: A first refusal brings a license suspension of 7 to 12 months with interlock use of 6 to 12 months, and the penalties escalate sharply for second and third refusals. Refusal cases turn on whether the officer properly advised you and whether the stop itself was lawful.
- Indictable Offenses: Felony-level charges begin in municipal court but are sent to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Superior Court. Possession of cannabis above six ounces, for example, is a fourth-degree crime carrying up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
- Disorderly Persons Offenses: Lower-level criminal charges such as simple assault, theft, and certain drug and trespass offenses are heard in municipal court, but they still create a criminal record that can follow you.
- Domestic Violence Charges: Allegations under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act can lead to a temporary restraining order, a final hearing within 10 days, and parallel criminal charges. Coercive control is now a factor judges weigh in these hearings.
- Traffic Tickets and License Suspensions: Speeding and moving violations carry points and surcharges, and driving while suspended after a DWI or refusal carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to 10 days in jail.
- Firearm ID and Permit Denials: Denials of a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card or a permit to purchase a handgun can be appealed, and firearm issues often arise out of domestic violence matters.
- Expungement: Once a case is over, clearing the record is often the next goal, and eligibility depends on the offense and how much time has passed.
What to Do in the First Days After a Charge in Shrewsbury
Start by identifying exactly which court has your case. A Shrewsbury Borough summons goes to the Borough municipal court, while a Township summons is handled at the Red Bank court shared by the Township, and mixing them up can mean a missed appearance and a warrant. If the complaint is indictable, the municipal court is only the starting point and the case will be forwarded to the county prosecutor and the Superior Court in Freehold.
Say as little as possible to police, and do not explain your side to officers or on social media. Write down what you remember while it is fresh: where the stop happened, what was said, who was present, and what tests were given. Keep every piece of paper, including the summons, impound or release forms, and any notice about your license.
If you were arrested on a domestic violence complaint, the timeline is much tighter. A temporary restraining order sets a final hearing within 10 days, and if you do not appear the court can enter a final restraining order without hearing from you. A final restraining order does not expire on its own; it lasts until a court changes it, so the first hearing deserves serious preparation.
Avoid the common mistakes: ignoring a court date, driving on a suspended license, contacting an accuser against a no-contact order, and assuming a “minor” charge does not need a lawyer. Calling a defense attorney before your first appearance lets the lawyer request discovery, review the stop or arrest, and approach the prosecutor while options are still open.
How Defense Work Actually Happens in These Cases
Defense is mostly investigation and negotiation. The attorney requests the police reports, body camera and dash camera footage, and breath test records, then looks at the stop itself: was there a lawful reason to pull you over, was the field sobriety testing done properly, was the breath device maintained and operated correctly, were you read the required refusal statement. A weakness at any of these points can lead to suppressed evidence, a downgraded charge, or a dismissal.
Where the evidence is solid, the work shifts to reducing the damage. For a first DWI, the penalties depend on your BAC: at 0.08% to under 0.10%, the fine runs $250 to $400 with possible jail up to 30 days, an interlock requirement, and 12 to 48 hours at the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center. At 0.10% or higher, the fine is $300 to $500, jail can reach 30 days, and the license suspension runs 7 months to a year. A reading of 0.15% or above brings a 4 to 6 month suspension and 9 to 15 months of interlock. A DWI in a school zone carries a $500 to $800 fine, up to 60 days in jail, and a suspension of 1 to 2 years. A second offense carries a $500 to $1,000 fine, a 2-year suspension, and 1 to 3 years of interlock. Presenting a client’s circumstances well can affect where in these ranges a case lands.
Clearing Your Record After a Criminal Case
A conviction does not have to be permanent. New Jersey allows expungement after waiting periods that vary by offense: generally five years for an indictable conviction or disorderly persons offense, with shorter paths of four and three years where compelling circumstances exist. Municipal ordinance violations can be expunged after two years. Completing a diversion program such as conditional discharge allows expungement after six months, and a Recovery Court graduate can apply immediately.
The Clean Slate process allows expungement after ten years without a conviction, with no cap on the number of offenses, but serious offenses like murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, and arson are barred and block Clean Slate relief. Marijuana and hashish offenses are separately expungeable. You cannot petition while charges are pending. A good defense attorney thinks about expungement from the start, because the way a case is resolved can determine whether a clean record is possible later.
Shrewsbury Criminal Defense Questions Answered
Do I need a lawyer for a first-time disorderly persons charge?
Yes, it is worth it. Disorderly persons offenses are tried in municipal court but create a real criminal record. An attorney may be able to negotiate a downgrade, a diversion program, or a dismissal that keeps the record clean.
Which court will hear my case if I was charged in Shrewsbury?
That depends on where the incident happened. Shrewsbury Borough and Shrewsbury Township each have their own municipal court, with Township sessions held in Red Bank. If the charge is indictable, it moves to the Monmouth County Prosecutor and the Superior Court in Freehold.
What is the penalty for a first DWI in New Jersey?
It depends on your BAC. At 0.08% to under 0.10%, expect a fine of $250 to $400, up to 30 days in jail, an interlock requirement, and a license suspension until the device is installed. At 0.10% or higher, the fine is $300 to $500 and the suspension runs 7 months to a year.
Is refusing the breath test better than taking it?
Not usually. Refusal is its own offense, with a first-offense suspension of 7 to 12 months plus interlock, and it does not prevent a DWI charge based on other evidence. Whether a refusal charge can be defended depends on how the officer handled the stop and the required warnings.
Can I still be charged for driving high if cannabis is legal?
Yes. Adults 21 and older may possess up to six ounces, but driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal and carries the same penalties as alcohol DUI. Home cultivation is also not permitted.
How soon is a restraining order hearing?
A final hearing is scheduled within 10 days of the temporary order. If you do not appear, the court can decide without you and issue a final order, which stays in place until a court changes it.
Can a criminal conviction affect my custody case?
It can. Domestic violence findings and criminal charges are weighed by Family Part judges, and child safety is a threshold issue in custody decisions. Because our firm handles both criminal and family matters, the two cases can be coordinated.
What happens if my gun permit application is denied?
You can appeal a denial of a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card or a permit to purchase a handgun. The outcome often depends on the stated reason for denial and the documentation you provide in response.
Can I get a DWI expunged?
It depends on the conviction. DWI is a motor vehicle offense in New Jersey, and eligibility turns on the specific offense and statute. An attorney can review your record and tell you which waiting periods and paths apply.
What happens if I miss a municipal court date?
A missed appearance can lead to a warrant, additional penalties, and a license suspension. If it already happened, contact an attorney right away so a motion can be filed to address it before you are stopped or arrested.
Is it worth hiring a lawyer for a traffic ticket?
Often, yes. Speeding and moving violations carry points, surcharges, and possible suspension, and an attorney may be able to negotiate a lesser charge that protects your license and insurance rates.
Criminal Defense Representation Across Shrewsbury and Monmouth County
We represent clients from Shrewsbury Borough and Shrewsbury Township and the neighboring communities of Red Bank, Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Oceanport, and Fair Haven. Our team also defends clients in Rumson, Middletown, Holmdel, Colts Neck, Freehold, Long Branch, and Asbury Park, appearing before the municipal courts that serve each town and the Superior Court in Freehold. Beyond Monmouth County, we represent clients in Toms River and throughout Ocean County, as well as across Middlesex County and statewide, whether the case is a DWI, a traffic ticket, a firearm permit appeal, or an indictable charge.
Speak With a Shrewsbury Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you have been charged with a crime, a DWI, or a serious traffic offense, call Sanvenero & Cittadino, LLC to schedule a consultation. A Shrewsbury criminal defense attorney from our team can review the charge, the court that has it, and the deadlines you are facing, and explain realistic options before your first appearance. Call today so the work can begin while your choices are still wide open.