Burglary Lawyer Union County, NJ
You are standing in the hallway outside the courtroom at the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union Vicinage, at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. The charge is burglary. In New Jersey, burglary is an indictable offense — what other states call a felony — and a conviction can send you to state prison for years. You did not expect to be here. Maybe the police say you entered a structure with purpose to commit an offense. Maybe the facts are more complicated than the charge suggests. Whatever brought you to this moment, you need counsel who knows this courthouse, understands how the Union County Prosecutor’s Office approaches burglary cases, and can begin building your defense immediately. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., and his Of Counsel team represent clients facing burglary charges in Union County. To request a consultation, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
What Burglary Means in Union County
Burglary in New Jersey is governed by the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, Title 2C. Under New Jersey law, a person commits burglary by entering a structure — not only a home, but any building or separately secured portion — with purpose to commit an offense inside. The charge is not a disorderly persons offense heard in municipal court; burglary is an indictable crime, prosecuted in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division — Criminal Part. In Union County, that means the case is handled at the Union Vicinage courthouse at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207, within the 12th Vicinage.
Union County encompasses Elizabeth, Union Township, Plainfield, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Cranford, Summit, Linden, Rahway, Clark, Roselle, and Springfield. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office prosecutes burglary charges arising anywhere in the county. The degree of the burglary charge — and the potential penalties — depends on the specific allegations. A burglary charged as a third-degree crime carries a potential sentence of three to five years of imprisonment. If the State alleges that the defendant inflicted or attempted to inflict bodily injury, or was armed with a deadly weapon or explosive, the charge may be elevated to a second-degree crime, which carries five to ten years of imprisonment with a presumption of incarceration. No two burglary cases are the same, and the factual details matter at every stage — from the pretrial detention hearing through trial or negotiated resolution.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Burglary Cases
Every burglary defense begins with a careful examination of the State’s evidence. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel scrutinize the charging documents, police reports, witness statements, and any surveillance or forensic evidence the prosecution intends to use. In Union County, pretrial release is determined by a Public Safety Assessment under the Criminal Justice Reform Act — New Jersey abolished cash bail in 2017. At the initial appearance and detention hearing, defense counsel advocates for release conditions that allow the client to remain in the community while the case proceeds.
Discovery in New Jersey criminal cases is governed by the court rules, and the prosecution must provide the evidence it intends to rely on. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel evaluate every piece of that evidence for constitutional and procedural issues. Was the entry to the structure lawfully observed or reported? Was any identification procedure properly conducted? Is there a viable defense based on consent, lack of intent, or mistaken identity? Where appropriate, counsel explores diversionary options such as Pre-Trial Intervention, which is available for certain first-time indictable offenders and, upon successful completion of a period of supervision, results in complete dismissal of the charge. Throughout the process, the goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome the facts and law permit. Results may vary.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. A former prosecutor, he founded the firm in 1997 and is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His Of Counsel team — experienced attorneys engaged through Excella — brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to criminal defense matters. Results may vary. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have documented 4,739+ case results across all practice areas.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear in Union County Superior Court and are familiar with the procedures of the Union Vicinage. The firm’s New Jersey location is at 44 Apple Street, 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, New Jersey 07724. By appointment only. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Jersey have cash bail?
No, New Jersey abolished cash bail in January 2017 under the Criminal Justice Reform Act. Pretrial release in Union County is determined by a Public Safety Assessment — a computerized risk score — not by the ability to pay money. There are no bail bondsmen in New Jersey. At a detention hearing held shortly after arrest, the court considers the PSA results and arguments from the prosecutor and defense counsel. The court may release the defendant on conditions, with monitoring, or, in cases presenting a significant flight risk or danger to the community, order pretrial detention. This system applies to burglary charges and all other indictable offenses in Union County Superior Court. For a consultation about your specific case, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What are the penalties for burglary in New Jersey?
Burglary penalties in New Jersey depend on the degree of the charge. A third-degree burglary conviction carries a potential term of three to five years in state prison. A second-degree burglary conviction — which applies when the State alleges bodily injury or use of a deadly weapon — carries five to ten years, with a presumption of imprisonment. In addition to incarceration, the court may impose fines, restitution, and other conditions. Burglary is an indictable offense, meaning it is prosecuted in the Superior Court, not in municipal court. The specific sentencing range in any case depends on the charging document, the defendant’s prior record, and the facts found or admitted. To discuss the particulars of your charge, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What is Pre-Trial Intervention in Union County?
Pre-Trial Intervention, or PTI, is a diversionary program for certain first-time indictable offenders in Union County. Successful completion of a one-to-three-year period of supervision results in the complete dismissal of the charge. Applications for PTI are processed through the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union Vicinage, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office evaluates eligibility. Not every defendant qualifies; the court considers the nature of the offense, the defendant’s background, and the interests of the victim and the public. For some first-time drug possession charges, conditional discharge in municipal court is a separate diversionary path. An experienced defense attorney can assess whether PTI is a viable option. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
Can I get a burglary charge expunged from my New Jersey record?
Possibly, but expungement eligibility depends on the disposition of the charge and the waiting period. New Jersey law generally requires a waiting period of five years for indictable crimes before a petition for expungement may be filed. If the charge was dismissed or the defendant completed a diversionary program such as PTI, the waiting period may be shorter or the charge may already be eligible. New Jersey’s Clean Slate law also expanded eligibility for certain older convictions. Expungement petitions in Union County are filed in the Superior Court. The process is procedural and detail-sensitive; an attorney can evaluate your specific record and timeline. To discuss your eligibility, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need a lawyer for a burglary charge in Union County?
While you are not legally required to hire private counsel, a burglary charge in Union County carries consequences that make experienced legal representation important. Burglary is an indictable offense prosecuted in Superior Court, where the procedural rules are complex and the stakes include years of imprisonment. A lawyer can challenge the State’s evidence, negotiate with the prosecutor, explore diversionary programs where applicable, and advise you on the collateral consequences of a conviction — including the impact on employment, housing, and immigration status. The public defender’s office provides representation to those who qualify financially, but the volume of cases they carry can limit the time available for each matter. For guidance on your situation, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
For additional information, see our comprehensive criminal defense resources at srislawyer.com.
Related pages: Criminal Defense Lawyer Somerset County · Criminal Defense Lawyer Morris County · Criminal Defense Lawyer Monmouth County
New Jersey primary sources: New Jersey Legislature — Statutes · Union Vicinage — NJ Courts · NJ Attorney Search
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris. Results may vary. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.