- Divorce
- Child SupportIf the child has been out of the home for a year in foster care, DYFS may commence a proceeding to terminate parental rights. In addition, if a child is in foster care, it is likely that the County Welfare Agency will seek an Order for the parent to pay it child support using the child support guidelines which are used in divorce cases.
- Child AbuseThe following is an overview and summary of a process which is complex and absolutely requires that every parent or guardian accused of child abuse get a lawyer as soon as possible in the process to protect their parental rights.
- Criminal Defense
- DUI/DWIIf you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, one of the most severe punishments you could face is the loss of your right to operate a motor vehicle. This could affect your ability to go to work, earn money to care for your family, or otherwise live life as you know it. For a first offense, someone convicted of DWI can have their license suspended for either 3 months or 7 to 12 months, depending on his or her blood alcohol content. For a second offense, a driver’s license is taken away for 2 years or longer. On a third or subsequent offense, a driver convicted of DWI will lose his or her driving privileges for 10 years or longer.
- Traffic ViolationsState v. Gonzalez, the New Jersey Supreme Court actually made it even easier for a police officer to take advantage of the plain view doctrine. In Gonzalez, police officers were following a defendant whom they learned was going to be picking up bags with large quantities of heroin. Normally, the police officers would have needed to obtain a search warrant to search defendant’s vehicle based on the knowledge that the defendant would be using it to move drugs. However, after defendant picked up the heroin, he made several traffic violations while driving away, including speeding, running a red light, and driving through a Garden State Parkway toll booth without paying. After the officers pulled the vehicle over, they saw from outside the car that the bags had opened and spilled on the rear floorboards, including bricks of heroin. The defendant was immediately arrested, and the bags were taken and sealed.
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Theft
- Drug CrimesIn every state, including New Jersey, driving while in the possession of drugs is illegal. Just having an illegal substance in your car while driving could subject you to serious fines and consequences, including a possible loss of license and jail time.
- AssaultTom Chaves: They can be anything; I mean Disorderly Persons encompasses a broad range of offenses. So, you have simple assault cases, they are disorderly persons offenses, you have harassment, it’s another disorderly persons offense, you have disorderly conduct, it’s another disorderly persons offense and there’s a broad range of different things that come under that umbrella so to speak.
- ShopliftingTom Chaves: I would say possession of marijuana is very common one, shoplifting is another common one. I’ve been getting a few resisting arrest cases recently though. I get assault cases; I’ve done domestic violence cases. It really ranges but I would say in general, the most common cases that I get from the letters is number 1, possession of marijuana, number 2 shoplifting, and number 3 everything else.
- Restraining Order“My mom and I cannot even express the gratitude we both feel. You have our utmost respect and gratitude.”
- Money Laundering
- Personal InjuryAt Tom Chaves Attorney at Law, we have over 25 years of experience in the fields of Criminal Defense, DWI/DUI and Personal Injury. We have the knowledge and proficiency to address your specific legal needs, whether you have been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident or you have been charged with a crime or drunk driving. Attorney Tom Chaves will work on your case personally. We will not make promises we can’t keep, or pass your file along to a junior lawyer with insufficient experience to handle your case.
- Auto Accidents