Ppre-indictment Court

Published on: October 3, 2019

What is PreTrial Intervention (PTI)

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What is Pre-Trial Intervention and More Importantly Is it The Right Choice?

Pre Trial Intervention, often referred to as “PTI,” is a diversionary probationary program offered at the Superior Court level in the county courts. It can be a way to avoid a criminal record. Most of the time, you enter the program without ever pleading guilty and even if a guilty plea is a contingency to acceptance, you will never be sentenced or convicted of a crime if you successfully complete the program.

Pursuant to the statute, the minimum length of time for probation imposed is a one year time period. However, per the statutory guidelines, you can ask your probation officer for an early release from the program as early as six months. The judge determines the length of time that is initially imposed, and usually community service is a condition, although sometimes this condition can be waived. Upon acceptance into the program, you are to remain arrest free and if all other conditions are met you will successfully complete the program.

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Published on: June 16, 2017

TOO MUCH FUN: Getting in and Out of Trouble at Holmdel’s PNC Bank Art Center

By Tara Breslow-Testa, Esq.

We’ve sometimes got trouble, right here in Holmdel township, with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for the PNC Bank Art Center. This popular music venue in Holmdel has provided a venue for musical acts from symphonies to Sinatra to Springsteen to Phish to Sting over the years – but the festival environment has also spawned more than a little bit of trouble in the form of dozens of drug arrests, underage drinking, DUI arrests, fights, shootings.

If you’re a music fan who gets into trouble with a capital T, the first person you should talk to is Holmdel criminal defense attorney Tara Breslow-Testa. She is experienced with a capital E and can reduce possible sentences, fines and future consequences for anyone arrested around the PNC Bank Center.

PLEASANT VALLEY

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Published on: October 7, 2013

Random Drug Testing in New Jersey Schools

By Tara Breslow-Testa, Esq.

This New York Times article discusses the debate over random drug testing in high schools in New Jersey. I will be interesting to see if this goes through, and what the legal ramifications are for those who test positive.

See link below for article:

Published on: June 14, 2013

Arrested in Long Beach Island (LBI)? You need an Experienced Criminal Lawyer!

By Tara Breslow-Testa, Esq.

As the warm weather air rolls in and July 4th is around the corner, beach-lovers head to Long Beach Island (LBI). Inevitably, when there is a sudden increase in population in a shore town, the local police department increase their police presence as well. This increase in police presence in the summer months is evident in the towns of Beach Haven, Ship Bottom, Long Beach Township, Surf City, Barnegat Light and Harvey Cedars.

If you have visited LBI, you know it is a beautiful place, however many juveniles and adults are arrested while on vacation in LBI over the summer months. An arrest can have significant long term negative effect on your life . Whether the arrest be for a borough ordinance violation, Possession of Marijuana less than 50 grams, Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Mischief or Simple Assault, all these matters require court appearances. A Disorderly Person offense holds a maximum of 6 months in jail, a probation term and up to $1000 in court fines. It is imperative that you have an experienced criminal defense attorney fighting on your side in these local municipalities of Beach Haven, Long Beach Township (which includes Brant Beach, Holgate, Brighton Beach, Beach Haven Crest, Beach Haven Terrace, Beach Haven Gardens, Haven Beach, The Dunes, Spray Beach and North Beach Haven), Surf City, Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars and Ship Bottom.

If the matter is classified as an indictable offense, whether is it be 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th degree the matter will be transferred to the Superior Court located in Toms River, New Jersey. Again, it is important to have an attorney with experience on your side.

Published on: April 25, 2013

Pre-Indictment Court in Superior Court

By Tara Breslow-Testa, Esq.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a felony offense, it will likely that your matter will be sent to the Superior Court in the county where you were arrested. For example, if you were arrested in Monmouth County, your matter will be transferred to the Superior Court located in Freehold. Once the matter is transferred it will undergo a screening process, and it is possible that prior to the matter being sent to the Grand Jury for Indictment, the matter will be sent to the Pre-Indictment Court, otherwise known as PIP court. Judge Kilgallen is the newly assigned Judge who presides over PIP court in Monmouth County.

It is not always beneficial to accept a plea deal in PIP court. However, sometimes it is the best deal that a defendant will ever be offered. It is important to know the risks as well as the benefits of accepting or rejecting a plea offer. An experienced criminal defense lawyer in New Jersey can help advise you whether this will be the best deal or if you can do better if you wait.