Felon in Possession Lawyer Hunterdon County — What Are Your Defense Options?
A felon in possession charge in Hunterdon County is a serious indictable crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7, prosecuted in Superior Court. Conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in state prison. As a prohibited person gun charge lawyer Hunterdon County, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides a strong defense for individuals accused of being a felon with a firearm.
Last verified: April 2026 | Superior Court of NJ, Hunterdon Vicinage | New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Law on Felon in Possession of a Firearm
In New Jersey, it is illegal for any person who has been convicted of a crime to possess a firearm. This offense is formally known as “Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons” and is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7. The statute is aggressively enforced and prosecuted in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hunterdon Vicinage. The law is strict and does not require the prosecution to prove you intended to use the firearm; mere possession is sufficient for a charge. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, focuses on building strategic defenses against these severe allegations.
Official Legal Resources
- N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7 (official New Jersey Legislature statute)
- Superior Court of NJ, Hunterdon Vicinage (official court website)
Hunterdon County Court Process for a Felon in Possession Charge
All felon in possession cases in Hunterdon County are heard as indictable crimes in the Superior Court located at 65 Park Avenue, Flemington. New Jersey’s bail reform means pretrial release is determined by a Public Safety Assessment risk score, not cash. Prosecutors in this vicinage take these charges very seriously due to mandatory sentencing. A felon in possession defense lawyer Hunterdon County must immediately challenge the legality of the search, the chain of custody of the firearm, and whether the client was actually in possession.
- Arrest & Initial Appearance: You will be charged and have a first appearance in Superior Court for a detention hearing.
- Indictment: The case will be presented to a grand jury. If indicted, it proceeds in Superior Court.
- Discovery & Pre-Trial Motions: Your attorney files motions to suppress evidence and challenges the state’s case.
- Plea Negotiations or Trial: Based on motion outcomes, your lawyer negotiates for a reduced charge or proceeds to trial.
- Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing follows, where arguments for mitigating the mandatory term are made.
Penalties for Felon in Possession in Hunterdon County
In Hunterdon County, a conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm is a second-degree crime carrying a mandatory minimum state prison term of 5 years without parole, and a maximum of 10 years.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felon in Possession of a Firearm | Second-Degree Crime | 5-10 years (mandatory min. 5 years without parole) | Up to $150,000 | Permanent felony record, loss of voting rights, prohibition on future firearm ownership, difficulty obtaining employment/housing. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Felon in Possession Defense
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 and brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to each case. Our founding attorney, Mr. Sris, is a former prosecutor who understands how the state builds its cases. We focus on the specific defenses applicable to prohibited person gun charges, such as challenging the legality of the search that discovered the firearm, arguing lack of knowledge or constructive possession, and exploring potential violations of your constitutional rights. We have a documented record of achieving favorable outcomes in criminal cases.
Case Results & Client Advocacy
While specific local case counts are not published, SRIS actively practices in Hunterdon County Superior Court. Firm-wide, our attorneys have handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes, including dismissals, reductions, and not guilty verdicts. We apply this extensive experience to defend clients facing felon with firearm charges.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Felon in Possession Lawyer Near Hunterdon County
Our New Jersey location represents clients at the Hunterdon County Superior Court in Flemington. We serve communities throughout the county including Flemington, Clinton, Lambertville, Readington, and Raritan Township. 24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (609)-983-0003 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
44 Apple St, 1st Floor
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
By appointment only.
Felon in Possession Defense FAQs for Hunterdon County
Does New Jersey have cash bail for a felon in possession charge?
No. NJ abolished cash bail in 2017. Your pretrial release will be decided by a judge based on a Public Safety Assessment risk score, not your ability to pay. This applies to all indictable charges heard in Hunterdon County Superior Court.
What is the mandatory sentence for a felon in possession conviction in NJ?
5 years. A conviction under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7 carries a mandatory minimum state prison sentence of five years without parole. The sentence range is 5 to 10 years, as it is a second-degree crime.
Can I get a felon in possession charge reduced in Hunterdon County?
It depends. While the charge itself has a mandatory sentence, an experienced felon in possession lawyer Hunterdon County may negotiate a plea to a different, non-mandatory charge (like a fourth-degree certain persons offense) or file successful motions that weaken the prosecution’s case, skilled to a better outcome.
What are common defenses to a felon in possession charge?
Common defenses include challenging the legality of the search (Fourth Amendment violation), proving you were not in actual or constructive possession of the firearm, questioning the firearm’s operability, or challenging the validity of the prior disqualifying conviction.
Who is considered a “prohibited person” under NJ law?
New Jersey law prohibits anyone convicted of a crime, along with individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses, those subject to a restraining order, and those with certain mental health adjudications, from possessing firearms.
If you are facing a prohibited person gun charge, contact a felon in possession defense lawyer Hunterdon County as early as possible. Call Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for a 24/7 consultation.
If you want to see how a Hunterdon County case fits into the wider process, our page on felon in possession lawyer New Jersey covers it from start to finish.
Your case in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Indictable charges are heard in the Criminal Part of the Law Division; disorderly-persons offenses are heard in the municipal court where the charge was filed. In Hunterdon County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Hunterdon Vicinage (13th Vicinage), 65 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822, telephone (908) 824-9750, open Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Court procedures change; confirm the current schedule on the official vicinage website or with the clerk before you file or appear.
The governing law for this topic is the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, N.J.S.A. Title 2C. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles Hunterdon County matters from its New Jersey location at 44 Apple St 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724; meetings are by appointment. Request a New Jersey consultation at (888) 437-7747 or (609) 983-0003.
Related New Jersey pages: Hunterdon County NJ lawyers directory · Felon in Possession Lawyer Bergen County, NJ · Felon in Possession Lawyer Hudson County, NJ · Felon in Possession Lawyer Monmouth County, NJ.