Man Arrested After Shootout in Middlesex County, NJ
Here is a recent case in the news regarding weapons charges in Perth Amboy in Middlesex County.
A man was recently arrested in Perth Amboy, New Jersey after a shootout with the police. According to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Perth Amboy police got into a shootout with a 21-year-old man after the man opened fire on the cars of four police officers. Although the officers exited their vehicles and returned fire, no one was injured during the fire fight. Law enforcement did not indicate how many shots were fired during the exchange. The man was charged with four counts of attempted murder and multiple weapons charges and drug charges, including possession of heroin with intent to distribute.
Setting aside the attempted murder charge and the drug charges, the weapons offense charges could spell serious consequences in this case due to the mandatory incarceration provision of the Graves Act. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6(c), the Graves Act applies to defendants convicted of certain gun crimes and sets forth that such defendants shall be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment that shall be fixed at one-half of the sentence imposed by the court or 42 months, whichever is greater, or 18 months in the case of a fourth degree crime, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. The mandatory minimums apply to these gun crimes: N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(b), possession of a sawed off shotgun; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(d), possession of a defaced firearm; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a), possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(a), unlawful possession of a machine gun; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b), unlawful possession of a handgun; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(c), unlawful possession of a rifle or shotgun; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7, certain persons not to have weapons; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9(a), manufacture or transport of a machine gun; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9(b), manufacture or transport of a sawed off shotgun; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9(e), manufacture or transport of defaced firearms; and N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9(g), manufacture or transport of assault firearms.
In addition to the mandatory minimum incarceration period required by the Graves Act, under bail reform in New Jersey, the Attorney General Guidelines can recommend pre-trial detention for defendants accused of gun crimes. This means that anyone who is arrested for a gun crime in New Jersey can potentially be detained in jail pending the resolution of the matter, regardless of whether the allegations result in a conviction.
Accused of a Shooting in Perth Amboy, Need Lawyer? Call Us
It is imperative to contact the experienced weapons defense lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm if you or a loved one is charged with a gun crime in Perth Amboy or another town in New Jersey. Our seasoned team of gun crime defense lawyers is available 24/7 and has successfully defended clients accused of weapons offenses across New Jersey – by opposing pre-trial detention motions and by getting charges dismissed. Contact us today.