Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is proud to announce that nine of its attorneys have been selected to the 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
Super Lawyers is a part of Thomson Reuters and is a research and peer-review rating service. The Super Lawyers selection process comprises hundreds of thousands of statewide or regional surveys supplemented by a comprehensive examination of each nominee’s background and experience, focusing on such criteria as verdicts and settlements, transactions, representative clients, honors and awards, educational background, and any other outstanding achievements. Only 5 percent of the total lawyers in the state are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, while only 2.5% of attorneys under the age of 40 or who have been practicing for ten years or less will be selected as Rising Stars.
The DHD attorneys recognized on the 2024 Super Lawyers List are:
In addition, the firm is also proud to announce that Ryan Notarangelo, Alexa Luzzi and Cara Anan were named to the 2024 New Jersey Rising Stars list.
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For more information about the selection process methodology for the awards referenced above, please visit SuperLawyers.com
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is proud to announce that seven of its attorneys have been selected to the 2023 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Super Lawyers is a part of Thomson Reuters and is a research and peer-review rating service. This is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than five percent of the attorneys in the State of New Jersey.
The DHD attorneys recognized on the 2023 Super Lawyers List are:
In addition, the firm is also proud to announce that Ryan Notarangelo, Alexa Luzzi and Cara Anan were named to the 2023 New Jersey Rising Stars list. Each year, this designation is given to less than 2.5 percent of New Jersey attorneys recognized as the top up-and-coming attorneys who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.
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A description of the selection process methodology for the awards referenced is available at SuperLawyers.com
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
You’re the target of a New Jersey state or U.S. federal grand jury investigation.
Now what? You may feel confused and anxious about what comes next—especially if you weren’t aware of any criminal investigation, to begin with. If your only knowledge of the Department of Justice comes from watching Law and Order, you’ll probably have some questions.
Will I be called to testify?
Is a target letter the same thing as a subpoena?
Is a state or federal grand jury investigation the same as a criminal investigation?
When should I contact a criminal defense lawyer?
Receiving a grand jury target letter doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be convicted of a crime. However, it’s possible. To reduce the likelihood of an indictment, seek sound legal advice from a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer.
When you’re searching for clarity about criminal charges, Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski is here to help. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Understanding the terminology used when talking about criminal law and legal procedures can help you process your options. In New Jersey, serious crimes are called “indictable offenses,” rather than “felonies.” Some common indictable offenses are:
For the state of New Jersey to try you for this type of crime, the prosecutor must seek an indictment—or formal, written criminal charge—from a grand jury. To determine whether or not an indictment is justified, the grand jury will hold an investigation.
The person accused of the crime is considered the “target” of the state or federal grand jury investigation.
A grand jury consists of 23 citizens. To ensure a fair investigation, these citizens should be unbiased and have no financial, proprietary, or personal interest in your case.
Grand jury proceedings are private and aren’t held in a public courtroom. Unlike a criminal trial, the grand jury doesn’t determine guilt or innocence and no judge is present.
During the state or federal grand jury investigation, the state’s attorneys will present the allegations against you, along with relevant evidence. This evidence might include:
Then, the grand jury will vote to determine whether you should be tried on formal criminal charges. The grand jury will make this decision based on the information provided by the prosecutor.
Your criminal defense attorney will not be permitted to question the admissibility of the evidence, nor will they be allowed to cross-examine any witnesses at this time. In fact, your criminal defense lawyer won’t attend the grand jury proceedings at all. Neither will you unless the prosecutor requests that you testify. However, to determine whether you should testify in a grand jury proceeding at all or plead the Fifth Amendment is a conversation to have with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
1. True bill of indictment
A true bill of indictment is not a conviction. It’s a legal document outlining the formal criminal charges against you. You and your criminal defense attorney will have an opportunity to plead your side of the story in court.
2. No bill
If the grand jury finds insufficient evidence to move forward with the charges presented, it will issue a “no bill.” Depending on the evidence presented, the charges will either be downgraded or dropped altogether. If the charges are downgraded to a non-indictable offense, also known as a misdemeanor in other states, your case will be sent to a New Jersey Municipal Court.
Hung Jury
When the grand jury votes, it must reach a majority decision. Otherwise, the state must drop the criminal charges against you and dismiss your case.
Whether or not you’re a grand jury target, you may receive a subpoena if the state or federal prosecuting agency believes you possess information or materials that are pertinent to the investigation, known as a witness subpoena. In either case, grand jury subpoenas command the recipient to provide in-person testimony or to produce evidence that will be examined during the proceedings.
Grand jury subpoenas are often broadly worded and difficult to respond to. Disregarding a subpoena is considered contempt of court, which is a crime. It is possible to challenge a subpoena, depending on the circumstances, or narrow the terms of the subpoena, but it’s critical that you work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to review your documents and develop a strategy for responding.
If a grand jury subpoena is unreasonable, oppressive, or too broad, your criminal defense attorney can make a motion to have it modified or dismissed.
Challenging a subpoena is advisable when the prosecutor requests that you testify before the grand jury because, in doing so, you could inadvertently incriminate yourself. Your criminal defense lawyer may also challenge a subpoena that demands documents that link you to potential criminal activity.
If the motion to modify or dismiss the subpoena is approved, you’ll stand a better chance of avoiding indictment. If the motion is denied, you’ll still need to testify or provide documentation as directed, unless you plead the Fifth Amendment.
If you’re a grand jury target, your freedom and future are at risk. You need an experienced criminal defense attorney prepared to protect your rights.
The criminal defense attorneys at Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski have aggressively challenged criminal charges at all stages of New Jersey’s judicial process. From disputing whether a case was properly presented to a grand jury to negotiating for dismissed charges once an indictment is handed down, we’re prepared to build your strongest possible defense.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is pleased to announce that seven of its attorneys have been selected to the 2022 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Super Lawyers is a part of Thomson Reuters and is a research and peer-review rating service. This is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than five percent of the attorneys in the State of New Jersey.
The DHD attorneys recognized on the 2022 Super Lawyers List are:
In addition, the firm is also proud to announce that Ryan Notarangelo and Benjamin Forrest were named to the 2022 New Jersey Rising Stars list. Each year, this designation is given to less than 2.5 percent of New Jersey attorneys recognized as the top up-and-coming attorneys who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.
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No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection process methodology for the awards referenced is available at SuperLawyers.com
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is pleased to announce that the Supreme Court of New Jersey has appointed Brandon D. Minde to the Board on Attorney Certification Criminal Certification Committee. Brandon, a certified criminal trial attorney and past-Chair of the Criminal Law Section of the NJ State Bar Association, will serve a three-year term, ending on December 31, 2024. The firm congratulates Brandon on his appointment and is very proud of the important work he will be doing for the Criminal Certification Committee, which plays a vital role in protecting the public and raising the level of competence of attorneys in this State.
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is proud to announce that Brandon D. Minde, a trial partner and past-Chair of the NJSBA Criminal Law Section, will be a speaker on Ethics for Criminal Trial Attorneys at the NJICLE live webcast of the 15th Annual Criminal Law Institute on Saturday, November 13, 2021.
The 15th Annual Criminal Law Institute features some of the state’s most respected judges and attorneys who will address today’s cutting-edge topics in areas including issues and concerns in getting back to court, the latest on marijuana law, and the credibility of law enforcement witnesses. Minde will speak at the annual ethics segment honing in on ethical issues specific to criminal law practitioners.
Mr. Minde is the head of Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski’s criminal law department, is a former Essex County Assistant Prosecutor, and is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney.
You’ve been arrested and charged with a crime in New Jersey. It’s scary. Thoughts race through your head: How do I avoid jail? How do I avoid a criminal record? How do I keep this from affecting my job? What do I do if I’m not guilty? Being charged with a crime is something no one wants to go through, but if it happens, you need an experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyer to fight for you from the start. If you are charged with a crime in New Jersey, one option you must always explore is whether you are eligible for pretrial intervention, or “PTI.”
If you have been charged with a crime in New Jersey and are a first-time or non-violent offender, then PTI can offer the ability to avoid jail time and avoid having a criminal conviction on your record. If you are admitted into the PTI program and successfully complete it, then you will not have a criminal record, but admission into PTI is neither automatic nor easy. Luckily, the experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorneys at Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski are former prosecutors who know what it takes to get our clients into PTI. In order to qualify, the following must be true: no prior admissions in PTI or the Veterans Diversion Program; no prior conditional dismissals or discharges in municipal court; and no prior admissions in a similar type of diversionary program in another state or federal court
Step one for obtaining PTI in New Jersey is writing an effective application, which the experienced criminal defense attorneys and former prosecutors at Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski know how to do. We take our time to interview you and find out the complete story surrounding the case and your entire background. Only then, once we know who our client is and where our client is coming from, can we tell the right story – your story – that will give our client the best shot at getting accepted into PTI.
PTI in New Jersey is a one-time offer to keep your record free of a criminal conviction. Because of that, a discussion must always be had if a given case is the right time for you to apply to PTI. It is also important to remember that just because you have a criminal record or the crime charged carries a presumption of incarceration or a mandatory minimum period of parole ineligibility, you still may be eligible for PTI.
The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski have successfully gotten our clients into PTI by helping them tell their story through an effective PTI application. If you have been charged with a crime in New Jersey, you need to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you understand all your options, including whether you are eligible and if you should apply to PTI. Our criminal defense group consists of experienced former prosecutors who have utilized PTI for their clients in courts throughout New Jersey including Essex County, Union County, Morris County, Passaic County, Hudson County, and Somerset County, Monmouth County, and Ocean County. If you have been charged with a criminal offense and think you might be eligible for PTI, call or email Brandon D. Minde, Chair of the firm’s Criminal Law Practice, for a free consultation at (908) 272-0200 or bminde@dughihewit.com.
Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a research-driven, peer-influenced rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Attorneys are selected from more than 70 practice areas and all firm sizes, assuring a credible and relevant annual list.
The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes:
The objective of Super Lawyers is to create a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys to be used as a resource for both referring attorneys and consumers seeking legal counsel. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country, as well as the New Jersey Super Lawyers Digital Magazine. Please join us in congratulating our DHD attorneys on their selection.
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No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection process methodology for the awards referenced is available at SuperLawyers.com
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C., is proud to welcome Benjamin Forrest to the firm as an associate. Mr. Forrest, a former Essex County Assistant Prosecutor, joins the fast-growing Criminal Defense Group.
Mr. Forrest clerked for the Essex County Criminal Division Presiding Judge before becoming an Assistant Prosecutor, where he worked in the Juvenile Trial Division and Adult Trial Division. As an Assistant Prosecutor, he handled hundreds of cases ranging from Petty Disorderly Persons offenses to First Degree crimes and tried both bench and jury trials.
Mr. Forrest will also use his litigation experience to contribute to the firm’s Complex Civil Litigation, and Medical Malpractice and Nursing Home Defense practice areas.
