Former Prosecutor
Turned Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer
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Bergen County Criminal Defense Attorney
Whether you face criminal charges of a misdemeanor, felony, or even a federal criminal offense in New Jersey, you can rely on the Law Offices of Joseph R. Donahue, LLC to protect your freedom. Our firm is backed by 30 years of experience. As a former prosecutor, Joseph R. Donahue knows how the government builds a case against defendants.
As a Criminal Trial Specialist Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, our attorney knows how to successfully defend our clients in the courtroom. We can launch the proactive, expert defense you deserve. No criminal charge is too difficult for our experienced legal team. We have garnered perfect 10.0 Superb Ratings from Avvo, and our accolades include the AV® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® for ethics and skill, as well as selection for inclusion on the list of Super Lawyers®. We have also been named on the National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 NJ Lawyers list. When you need to know that you have an exceptional defender at your side, you can count on our criminal defense attorney in NJ. See how we can help you battle for your rights, your liberty, and your future. Get in touch with a Bergen County criminal defense attorney from Law Offices of Joseph R. Donahue, LLC today.
Call (201) 574-7919 or contact us online today to request your FREE consultation with a Bergen County criminal lawyer.
Practice Areas
"Mr. Donahue is a fantastic attorney"I had never before been in any legal trouble. Mr. Donahue was patient with me, explaining the possible outcomes and what I ...
- Michelle
About Your Bergen County Defense Attorney
Joseph R. Donahue was an Assistant Prosecutor in the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, where he served as the Chief of the Criminal Investigations Squad and also served as Assistant Chief of the Trial Section. While some prosecutors turned defenders are only familiar with one stage of the prosecution process, he rose in the ranks to supervisory positions as a prosecutor. We know the sophisticated inner workings of all phases of criminal prosecutions, from overseeing investigations, directing charging decisions, presenting cases to the grand jury for indictment, the plea process, the trial process, and finally, the sentencing process. Now, he is a Specialist in Criminal Law and is Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Criminal Trial Attorney. This means that he has passed the rigorous requirements for becoming an expert in the criminal justice system of New Jersey. This is an honor that few attorneys in the state are able to boast of. We have handled criminal trials as both prosecutors and defense counsel in the Federal, State, and Municipal Courts of New Jersey. Our Bergen County criminal defense lawyer understands how trials are won and lost, and we are ready to put our decades of experience and expertise to work for you. Speak with us today to learn how we can protect your freedom in the face of serious criminal charges.
Our Law Office serves all of Bergen County and Passaic County, including:
Allendale, Alpine, Bergenfield, Bogota, Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, East Rutherford, Edgewater, Elmwood Park, Emerson, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fair Lawn, Fairview, Fort Lee, Franklin Lakes, Garfield, Glen Rock, Hackensack, Harrington Park, Hasbrouck Heights, Haworth, Hillsdale, HoHoKus, Leonia, Little Ferry, Lodi, Lyndhurst, Mahwah, Maywood, Midland Park, Montvale, Moonachie, New Milford, North Arlington, Northvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Oradell, Palisades Park, Paramus, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Park, Ridgewood, River Edge, River Vale, Rochelle Park, Rockleigh, Rutherford, Saddle Brook, Saddle River, South Hackensack, Teaneck, Tenafly, Teterboro, Upper Saddle River, Waldwick, Wallington, Washington Township, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake, Wood-Ridge, Wyckoff, Bloomingdale, Clifton, Haledon, Hawthorne, Little Falls, North Haledon, Passaic, Paterson, Pompton Lakes, Prospect Park, Ringwood, Totowa, Wanaque, Wayne, West Milford, West Paterson.
Our Settlements & Verdicts
Recent Case Victories
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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Complete Acquittal for Bar Patron Accused of Aggravated Assault
Acquittal in Passaic County Superior Court jury trial obtained on behalf of a patron of a bar charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Successfully challenged identification of bar bouncer and the findings of the treating neurosurgeon.
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Complete Acquittal at Jury Trial of Client Accused of Possession of over 1,000 Kilograms of Cocaine and MarijuanaOne of the largest drug seizures by the New Jersey State Police. Successfully challenged testimony of New Jersey State Troopers attempting to convict client of charges that would result in 10 to 20 years in jail.
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Complete Acquittal for Physician Accused of Sexual MisconductNot guilty verdict in Bergen County Superior Court jury trial obtained on behalf of a physician charged with sexual assault of a minor. Successfully challenged the credibility of the alleged victim and used video of client's statement to police to demonstrate lack of any criminal intent on his part.
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Dismissal of Felony Charge Preserves High School Athlete’s Division One Athletic CareerSecured a reduction of a felony charge and thereafter secured a dismissal after appearing before the local Juvenile Conference Committee. Client, anationally recognized high school athlete with a promising college athletic career, was able to secure a Division One athletic scholarship to a nationally recognized athletic program.
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Dismissal of Restraining Order, Burglary and Criminal Mischief ChargesSuccessfully negotiated a dismissal of a restraining order with the consent of the alleged victim while negotiating a “civil restraints” order which obligated the client and the alleged victim to have no contact with one another. Also secured a downgrade of the underlying felony charges of burglary and criminal mischief and thereafter persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss all charges against the client, a young father with no prior criminal history.
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Probationary Sentence Secured for College Graduate Accused of Distribution of Synthetic DrugsPersuaded prosecutor to extend probationary offer to recent college graduate accused of purchasing and possessing with the intent to distribute large quantities of a synthetic psychedelic drug. Client utilized the “darknet” and bitcoins to anonymously purchase the drugs over the internet. Successfully negotiated sentence based upon the client’s age and lack of criminal history as well as the unsettled nature of the law underlying the criminalization of the synthetic drug at issue.
Our Trial-Tested Approach
We always strive to put our clients in the best position possible, so our immediate goal is to obtain a case dismissal or acquittal. If this cannot be done, we seek to minimize the consequences by all legal means possible, perhaps by pursuing a plea agreement, which could include alternate sentencing that improves the impact on our client’s record.
Our Bergen County criminal defense attorney is a resolute advocate who never hesitates to take a case to trial if our firm feels it is in the best interests of our client. No matter how complex your charges may be, we have the proven expertise and passion to help you achieve a positive outcome. Discover how we can help you today.
New Jersey Criminal Statutes – Title 2C
- Section 2C:11-3 - Murder. ▪ Section 2C:11-4 - Manslaughter. ▪ Section 2C:11-5 - Death by Auto. ▪ Section 2C:12-1 - Assault. ▪ Section 2C:12-1.1 - Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident. ▪ Section 2C:12-1.2 - Endangering an Injured Victim. ▪ Section 2C:12-3 - Terroristic Threats. ▪ Section 2C:12-10 – Stalking. ▪ Section 2C:12-10.1 – Stalking - Permanent Restraining Order. ▪ Section 2C:12-10.2 - Temporary Restraining Order Stalking. ▪ Section 2C:12-11 - Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer. ▪ Section 2C:12-13 - Throwing Bodily Fluid at Certain Law Enforcement Officers. ▪ Section 2C:12-14 - Temporary Protection Order. ▪ Section 2C:13-1 - Kidnapping. ▪ Section 2C:13-2 - Criminal Restraint ▪ Section 2C:13-3 - False Imprisonment ▪ Section 2C:13-4 - Interference with Custody. ▪ Section 2C:13-5 - Criminal Coercion. ▪ Section 2C:13-6 - Luring, Enticing Child. ▪ Section 2C:13-7 - Luring, Enticing an Adult. ▪ Section 2C:13-8 - Human Trafficking. ▪ Section 2C:14-2 - Sexual Assault. ▪ Section 2C:14-3 – Criminal Sexual Contact. ▪ Section 2C:14-4 - Lewdness. ▪ Section 2C:14-9 - Invasion of Privacy. ▪ Section 2C:14-14 - Temporary Protective Order (SASPA/VASPA). ▪ Section 2C:14-15 - Temporary Protective Order (SASPA/VASPA). ▪ Section 2C:14-16 - Final Protective Order (SASPA/VASPA). ▪ Section 2C:15-1 - Robbery. ▪ Section 2C:16-1 - Bias Intimidation. ▪ Section 2C:17-1 – Arson. ▪ Section 2C:17-3 - Criminal Mischief. ▪ Section 2C:18-2 - Burglary. ▪ Section 2C:18-3 - Unlicensed Entry of Structures. ▪ Section 2C:20-3 - Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition. ▪ Section 2C:20-4 - Theft by Deception.
- Section 2C:20-5 - Theft by Extortion. ▪ Section 2C:20-6 - Theft of Property. ▪ Section 2C:20-7 - Receiving Stolen Property. ▪ Section 2C:20-7.1 - Fencing. ▪ Section 2C:20-8 - Theft of Services. ▪ Section 2C:20-9 - Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition. ▪ Section 2C:20-10 - Unlawful Taking. ▪ Section 2C:20-11 - Shoplifting. ▪ Section 2C:20-25 - Computer Crimes. ▪ Section 2C:21-1 - Forgery and Related Offenses. ▪ Section 2C:21-2 - Criminal Simulation. ▪ Section 2C:21-4 - Falsifying or Tampering with Records. ▪ Section 2C:21-4.6 - Insurance Fraud. ▪ Section 2C:21-5 - Bad Checks. ▪ Section 2C:21-6 - Credit Card Theft. ▪ Section 2C:21-9 - Misconduct by Corporate Official ▪ Section 2C:21-10 - Commercial Bribery. ▪ Section 2C:21-17 – Impersonation. ▪ Section 2C:21-25 - Money Laundering. ▪ Section 2C:24-4 - Endangering the Welfare of a Child/Child Pornography. ▪ Section 2C:24-4.1 - Leader of Child Pornography Network. ▪ Section 2C:24-8 - Neglect of Elderly Person, Disabled Adult. ▪ Section 2C:25-17 – Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. ▪ Section 2C:27-2 - Bribery in Official and Political Matters. ▪ Section 2C:27-3 – Threats/Improper Influence in Official and Political Matters. ▪ Section 2C:28-1 - Perjury. ▪ Section 2C:28-2 - False swearing. ▪ Section 2C:28-3 - Unsworn Falsification to Authorities. ▪ Section 2C:28-4 - False Report to Law Enforcement Authorities. ▪ Section 2C:28-5 - Tampering with Witness. ▪ Section 2C:28-6 - Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence. ▪ Section 2C:28-7 - Tampering with Public Records or Information. ▪ Section 2C:28-8 - Impersonating a Public Servant or Law Enforcement Officer. ▪ Section 2C:29-1 - Obstructing Administration of Law. ▪ . Section 2C:29-2 - Resisting Arrest, Eluding. ▪ Section 2C:29-3 - Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution. ▪ Section 2C:29-5 - Escape. ▪ Section 2C:29-7 - Bail Jumping. ▪ Section 2C:29-9 - Contempt.
- Section 2C:30-2 - Official Misconduct. ▪ Section 2C:33-1 – Riot/Failure to Disperse. ▪ Section 2C:33-2 - Disorderly Conduct. ▪ Section 2C:33-2.1 – Loitering. ▪ Section 2C:33-4 - Harassment. ▪ Section 2C:33-4.1 - Cyber-Harassment. ▪ Section 2C:33-12 - Maintaining a Nuisance. ▪ Section 2C:33-15 – Underage Drinking. ▪ Section 2C:33-31 - Dogfighting. ▪ Section 2C:34-1 – Prostitution. ▪ Section 2C:34-1.1 - Loitering for the Purpose of Engaging in Prostitution. ▪ Section 2C:35-3 – Leader of Narcotics Trafficking Network. ▪ Section 2C:35-4 – Maintaining a Drug Production Facility. ▪ Section 2C:35-5 – Drug Manufacturing, Distributing or Dispensing. ▪ Section 2C:35-6 - Employing a Juvenile in a Drug Distribution Scheme. ▪ Section 2C:35-7 - Distribution on or Within 1,000 Feet of School Property. ▪ Section 2C:35-10a(1) – Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. ▪ Section 2C:35-10a(3) – Possession of Marijuana. ▪ Section 2C:35-10a(4) – Possession of Marijuana. ▪ Section 2C:36-1 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. ▪ Section 2C:36-3 – Possession With Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia. ▪ Section 2C:37-2 - Promoting Gambling. ▪ Section 2C:37-3 - Possession of Gambling Records. ▪ Section 2C:37-4 - Maintenance of a Gambling Resort. ▪ Section 2C:37-7 - Possession of a Gambling Device. ▪ Section 2C:39-1 – Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, Assault Rifle. ▪ Section 2C:39-2 – Unlicensed Possession of a Firearm. ▪ Section 2C:39-3 – Prohibited Weapons and Devices. ▪ Section 2C:39-4 - Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes. ▪ Section 2C:39-5 - Unlawful Possession of Weapons - Handgun. ▪ Section 2C:39-7 – Persons Restricted from Possessing Weapons.
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