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2024

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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Clifton

Our Recommended Top 12

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Clifton Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

74

Reviewed

49

Curated

12

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
928 Mountain Avenue, Mountainside, NJ 07092

Why choose this provider?

My NJ Injury Lawyer, Howard P. Lesnik, Esq., is a criminal defense law firm serving the people of Clifton. The firm's founder has been practicing law for over 20 years, and his team has represented clients who were accused of theft, unlawful weapons possession, drug-related offenses, and cybercrime. It also handles white collar crime cases, including those involving embezzlement and money laundering. Lesnik is board-certified in the area of criminal justice.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Howard Lesnik - Principal23 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (54)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1 Western Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Howard D. Popper PC is a personal injury and criminal defense firm serving Passaic County and the neighboring communities for over 25 years. Although primarily a personal injury lawyer, Mr. Popper is also a criminal justice attorney near Clifton, who allocates a percentage of his time to defending people accused of various misdemeanors and felonies, such as driving under the influence, speeding, domestic violence, theft, and robbery.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Howard Popper - Principal36 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (22)
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
16 Valley Road, Clark, NJ 07066

Why choose this provider?

Perrotta, Fraser & Forrester LLC is a firm of criminal justice attorneys near Clifton with more than 60 years of combined experience. The attorneys defend people charged with an array of serious crimes, such as drug possession and driving under the influence, and municipal court offenses, including speeding and operating a vehicle without insurance. The attorneys also work to have clients' expired criminal convictions expunged from their records. The firm's additional areas of practice include personal injury and family law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Donald Fraser - Founding Member38 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (20)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
150 Mineral Springs Drive P.O. Box 220, Rockaway, NJ 07866

Why choose this provider?

Bell & Shivas PC is a team of criminal lawyers near Clifton who represent clients under investigation, arrested, and charged with misdemeanors and felonies in and around the counties of Passaic and Morris. Since the firm first opened its doors in 1993, it's defended people accused of prescription drug offenses, sexual assault, white-collar crimes, violation of restraining orders, aggravated battery, and auto theft. The firm also practices real estate and veterans affairs law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Joseph Bell - Partner38 yrs
David Shivas - Partner23 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
340 North Avenue East, Cranford, NJ 07016

Why choose this provider?

Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski PC is a medium-sized law firm that's been representing clients in various areas of law throughout New Jersey for more than four decades. Its criminal defense attorneys near Clifton defend people arrested and charged with misdemeanors and felonies, such as DWI, drug possession, and crimes of violence, including domestic battery. The firm also represents people being investigated by the government for federal crimes, such as election fraud, money laundering, and racketeering.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Brandon Minde - Trial Partner20 yrs
Craig Domalewski - Managing Partner28 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (23)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
8 Wood Hollow Road, Plaza Level, Suite 3, Parsippany, NJ 07054

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Sara Sencer McArdle is a criminal defense practice found in 2005 by Attorney McArdle after over 20 years of service as an Essex County Assistant Prosecutor. Ms. McArdle and her team of attorneys advise people under investigation and defend those charged with various crimes, from white-collar offenses, such as money laundering, to crimes against property, and violent offenses, including assault and battery, domestic violence, and homicide.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Sara McArdle - Principal45 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (10)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
388 Pompton Ave., Suite 8, Cedar Grove, NJ

Why choose this provider?

Benevento Law Firm LLC advises and defends people accused of an array of felony and misdemeanor crimes. The firm also handles the more personal aspects of its clients' situations, such as offering substance abuse counseling and focusing on areas such as expungement and programs that allow for more lenient treatment of first-time offenders. Attorney Benevento is a member of the New Jersey State and New York Bar associations and the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christopher Benevento - Owner14 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (100)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (29)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (5)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
790 Bloomfield Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07012

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Kevin P. Barry LLC is a Clifton-based criminal defense law firm that serves clients across Northern New Jersey. Attorney Barry is a Supreme Court of New Jersey certified trial attorney with more than 19 years of experience representing clients in municipal, state, and federal courts. He has extensive experience handling cases such as driving under the influence, domestic violence, robbery, drug possession, and various white-collar crimes.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kevin Barry - Principal23 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (30)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
31 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ 07960

Why choose this provider?

James M. Porfido Attorney at Law LLC is a certified criminal trial attorney by the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey who defends clients throughout Northern New Jersey that have been charged with felonies and misdemeanors. The attorney has more than 29 years of experience handling cases as diverse as underage DUI, fraud, and robbery. Mr. Porfido is a former Section Chief of the Vehicular Homicide Unit and Sex Crimes Unit in the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
James Porfido - Principal35 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Facebook
4.7 / 5 (24)
Google
4.6 / 5 (18)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
200 Broadacres Drive, Bloomfield, NJ 07003

Why choose this provider?

Rosenblum Law is a general law practice with offices in New Jersey and New York that represents clients in state and federal courts. The firm's criminal defense attorneys handle most crimes that come under criminal law, such as crimes against property, including burglary and vandalism, and white-collar crimes, such as welfare fraud, identity theft, and insider trading. They also defend people accused of violent crimes and offenses that come under juvenile law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Sanford Rosenblum - Senior Attorney61 yrs
Jobin Joseph - Managing Attorney15 yrs
Adam Rosenblum - Founding Attorney20 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
66 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1980, Sciro & Marotta PC is a firm of criminal defense attorneys near Clifton, who serve the people of Passaic County and the surrounding counties. Its attorneys defend clients accused of various crimes, such as weapon possession, domestic assault, theft, robbery, and drug-related offenses, including possession and distribution. The firm also takes on traffic cases, such as DUI and driving with a revoked license. Sciro & Marotta PC includes staff who can communicate fluently in English and Spanish.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Frank Sciro - Partner52 yrs
John Marotta - Managing Partner44 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
30 Church Street, Paterson, NJ 07505

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1922, Raff & Raff LLP is mainly a personal injury practice that offers criminal defense advocacy for people in and around Clifton's metro area. The firm's attorneys have experience handling a range of misdemeanor and felony cases, from DUI and other traffic-related offenses to serious crimes involving violence, such as domestic battery, assault, arson, and resisting arrest. Raff & Raff LLP also practices civil litigation, municipal law, and family law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Daniel Levy - Partner17 yrs
Michael Raff - Partner27 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (10)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Clifton, New Jersey?

    The non-emergency contact number of the Clifton Police Department is 973-470-5900.

  • Why is it critical to have a skilled Clifton criminal defense attorney on your side?

    To achieve the best results for your criminal case in Clifton, hiring an attorney who had tried cases before juries and won appellate court cases is important. A skilled criminal lawyer will make the right decisions through each stage of the trial process as they understand how evidence is handled, how to select a jury, and how to argue a case.

  • What are the deadlines for filing a criminal charge in Clifton?

    The following are the statutes of limitations for filing criminal charges in Clifton:

    • Manslaughter or murder offense: No time limit
    • Felonies such as official misconduct and bribery: Seven years since the crime was committed
    • Other felonies: Five years since the crime was committed
    • Misdemeanors such as petty offenses and disorderly conduct: One year since the crime was committed
  • Are there any restrictions on what police officers in Clifton can search with a search warrant?

    Clifton police officers are not legally permitted to conduct searches outside the parameters specified in the search warrant. They must demonstrate probable cause based on credible information received as part of the search warrant application. If they search without a lawful warrant, the search itself is presumed unreasonable. Additionally, a judge must sign all legal search warrants.

  • What should you do if you've been arrested in Clifton?

    If you have been arrested in Clifton, you should remain calm, polite, and silent. Never attempt to fight off an arrest or try to reason your way out of one. Even if the police gives the impression that they are providing you an opportunity to clarify your story to them, you might say something that could be disadvantageous to your case. Because of this, it is advisable to call a lawyer to discuss your situation before answering any police questions.

  • What does a plea bargain in a Clifton criminal case imply?

    A plea bargain implies that you are admitting guilt and will have a criminal record as a result of your actions. An experienced criminal defense attorney will assist you in determining whether the plea bargain being offered is a good deal, allowing you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed to trial.