Scott Gorman proudly serves clients throughout New Jersey, including Morris County.
In New Jersey, the most serious criminal cases are heard by the Criminal Part of the Law Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey. In Morris County, these cases are heard at the Morris County Courthouse, which is located at the corner of Washington and Court Streets in Morristown.
Less serious matters such as alleged disorderly persons offenses and violations of New Jersey’s motor vehicle statutes or municipal ordinances are generally prosecuted in one of Morris County’s approximately three dozen municipal courts.
To learn more about how Scott can give you the best opportunity to obtain a favorable outcome for your Morris County case, please select an area of practice and contact us to schedule a free criminal defense consultation.
Few experiences are as frightening as being charged with a criminal offense.
The most important step to relieving the stress associated with a recent arrest is to retain a talented and experienced Morris County Criminal Defense Lawyer as soon as possible. When you are charged with a crime, more than just your liberty is at stake. The outcome of your criminal matter will likely have a tremendous impact on your family, your job, and your reputation within the community. With so much on the line and so much uncertainty, it is only natural to feel nervous and unsettled.
Expert Legal Representation, Every Step of the Way
Scott Gorman will take the time to understand your situation and he will explain how his aggressive and strategic representation can give you the best chance for a favorable outcome. Scott knows that good people sometimes find themselves accused of having committed criminal acts. He also understands such people often stand to lose more because their positive reputations hang in the balance. For Scott, the first step to efficiently advocating on your behalf is getting to know you and your individual situation. This information is critical to Scott’s ability to both understand your particular needs and cast you in a positive light to the prosecutor and judge. Next, Scott will explain the charges that you are facing and the most significant consequences that could flow from a conviction. Scott will walk you through the process for prosecuting and defending criminal charges like those that you are facing.
The Keys to Obtaining the Best Possible Outcome
While your case is winding through the Morris County criminal justice system, as your criminal defense attorney, Scott Gorman will give your case the attention that it deserves, regardless of the severity of the charges against you. He will work with you to develop a strategy that reflects your unique needs after discussing the potential risks and benefits associated with your various options. To identify the greatest weaknesses in the State’s case against you, Scott will meticulously review the evidence that the State provides in advance of trial. Scott understands that to you, no case is more important than your own, and he will make every effort to make himself available to answer your questions as soon as possible by promptly returning your calls, and he will keep you informed regarding any developments in your case. Scott prides himself on providing representation that reflects his belief that preparation and persistence are the keys to obtaining the best possible outcome for his clients and that no client should ever have to worry about whether they remain a priority to their attorney.
Scott Gorman Has the Experience to Defend Your Case
Scott began focusing his practice in the area of criminal defense after his first year of practicing law when he worked at a nationally recognized and well-respected corporate law firm. In an effort to keep abreast of the latest developments in criminal defense, he is an active member of organizations such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His effectiveness as a criminal defense lawyer is evidenced by his multiple selections by (201) Magazine as one of Bergen County’s Top Lawyers in the area of criminal defense. In addition, Scott has been selected by SuperLawyers as a Rising Star every year from 2010 to 2015.*
If you or a loved one has been charged with a criminal offense, call Morris County Criminal Defense Attorney Scott Gorman for a free consultation today.
*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For Rising Stars methodology, see www.superlawyers.com.
If you are seeking a restraining order or if you have had a temporary restraining order issued against you, the time to speak with a Morris County domestic violence attorney is now.
Whether you have applied for a domestic violence restraining order or a temporary restraining order has been issued against you, the process for dealing with allegations of domestic violence can be the source of a tremendous amount of anxiety. Under New Jersey state law, when police are called to the scene of a domestic violence incident, the officers are frequently obligated to make an arrest or sign a criminal complaint even if nobody claims to be the victim of domestic violence. When a party files an application for a final restraining order, a hearing will be scheduled immediately, and that hearing will likely take place within days rather than weeks or months.
Has Someone Filed a Restraining Order Against You?
Scott Gorman is an experienced domestic violence lawyer in Morris County. Scott knows that many people are unaware of the fact that restraining orders do much more than simply prevent the defendant from communicating with the alleged victim. Those who have had final restraining orders issued against them have their names included in the Central Registry for Domestic Violence. Also, final restraining orders can cause problems in your professional life and can present significant problems in custody disputes. A final restraining order can render you ineligible to obtain a firearms purchaser card and can result in the forfeiture of your firearms. Even if you successfully defend against an application for a final restraining order, a judge could still order you to forfeit your weapons.
If you violate any provision of a domestic violence restraining order, you can face a criminal charge of contempt, and if you are convicted again of violating a restraining order, you will be sentenced to at least thirty days in jail.
You May Be Facing Severe Consequences
A domestic violence restraining order frequently results in more severe consequences than those that flow from a criminal or quasi-criminal conviction in connection with the related act of domestic violence even though plaintiffs need only carry their burden by a preponderance of the evidence to obtain a domestic violence restraining order. Even when victims establish that defendants committed one or more acts of domestic violence, a restraining order will only issue when a judge is satisfied that the order is necessary to protect the victim from further abuse. Whereas a defendant in a criminal trial can only be convicted when guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt, a different standard applies at restraining order hearings and a final restraining order can sometimes issue even when reasonable doubt exists as to whether an act of domestic violence occurred.
Contact Morris County Lawyer Scott Gorman Today
Your domestic violence case is far too important to leave your fate in the hands of an inexperienced attorney. Domestic violence attorney Scott Gorman understands the significance of your case and his approach to representing his clients reflects this understanding. If you are scheduled to appear at a hearing to determine whether a final restraining order will issue, call Scott Gorman without delay so he can begin the process of understanding your unique situation to effectively represent you.
A conviction for possession of a controlled dangerous can have long-lasting consequences. You need a skilled Morris County drug attorney on your side.
Attorney Scott Gorman will use his experience, dedication, and knowledge to minimize or eliminate those penalties altogether. Scott has helped hundreds of people who had faced charges of drug possession and related offenses in New Jersey obtain positive outcomes.
Hire a Lawyer Who Understands NJ Drug Laws
Both the New Jersey and federal constitutions guarantee protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. If the police violated your constitutional right to be free from against unreasonable searches and seizures, the evidence obtained as a result of the unlawful search or seizure will likely be suppressed. This means that the State will not be able to use that evidence at trial. In many instances, suppression of evidence will result in an acquittal, because without the suppressed evidence, the State will be unable to prove a defendant’s guilt. Scott knows it is essential to carefully review your case to determine which defenses would be the most effective to pursue for your benefit.
There are cases where the State may be unable to prove that the defendant possessed the drugs at issue. Frequently, even if the defendant did not have physical control over the drugs at issue, the State will nevertheless seek to prove that the defendant possessed the drugs at issue. A defendant who is found to have had constructive possession of drugs can also be found guilty of possession of drugs. Constructive possession exists when the defendant was aware of the presence of the drugs and had both the intent and the ability to exercise physical control or dominion over the drugs at some time. If the State seeks to prove that the defendant constructively possessed drugs, a skilled drug possession lawyer may be able to raise reasonable doubt as to whether the defendant was able to exercise control over the drugs.
In other situations, a lawyer may successfully argue that the defendant was unaware that he possessed drugs. For example, the Supreme Court of New Jersey has held that even if a defendant is aware that he possesses contraband, if the defendant did not know that he possessed drugs, the State cannot establish that the defendant violated the statute prohibiting the possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Scott Gorman will thoroughly review the evidence that is pertinent to your case and he will use his training and experience to calculate the weaknesses of the State’s case and develop an effective defense strategy for you.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Drug Lawyer
If you or someone you love is charged with a drug crime in Morris County, call Scott Gorman today to schedule an initial consultation. Scott will discuss your case, including the potential defenses that may be raised and the consequences that could result from a conviction. Let Scott Gorman begin the process of aggressively defending you immediately to give yourself the best chance at avoiding the substantial and long-lasting consequences that can flow from a drug conviction.
If you have been charged with driving while intoxicated, representation from a skilled Morris County DWI lawyer is essential to your defense.
To give yourself a fighting chance of avoiding a DWI conviction and the severe penalties that accompany such a conviction, you need an experienced DWI defense lawyer on your side. Scott Gorman has helped hundreds of people who have been charged with DWI in Morris County, and his dedication to providing the most effective representation to his clients makes him the right choice to defend you.
Every drunk driving case is different. To have a fighting chance at avoiding a conviction, you need an attorney with the willingness to devote considerable time to your case, the talent to effectively work on your behalf, and the dedication to stop at nothing to win your case. Scott Gorman is exactly that type of defender. As your DUI lawyer, Scott will take the time to get to know you and the important details of your case. Once Scott knows your particular needs, he will devise a strategy to give you the best chance of a favorable resolution.
Understanding DUI / DWI Cases in New Jersey
Most DWI cases involve evidence relating to a defendant’s performance on field sobriety tests or analyses of breath, blood or urine samples. Scott Gorman will use his training and experience to challenge the reliability of these common elements of a drunk driving prosecution. In some cases, the State may have difficulty proving that the defendant operated a motor vehicle at all. Even if it is clear that the defendant operated a motor vehicle, there still may be reasonable doubt as to whether the defendant was actually intoxicated at the time the motor vehicle was being operated. Determining the most helpful defenses in your case requires a firm grasp of the applicable law, and extreme attention to detail. As your DWI defense lawyer, Scott will thoroughly review your case to identify and highlight the weaknesses in the State’s case and he will work diligently to find the best approach to successfully defend you.
Have an Expert DUI Attorney on Your Side
Scott Gorman began representing defendants charged with DWI even before New Jersey began its widespread use of the Alcotest in 2008. Scott’s commitment to delivering the most powerful defense in Morris County drunk driving cases is reflected in his active membership in organizations such as the National College for DUI Defense, Inc., and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has successfully defended those charged with DWI both at trial and on appeal. Scott stays abreast of the most recent developments in drunk driving law, and even lectures other attorneys on how to most effectively defend those charged with driving while intoxicated. Having Morris County DUI lawyer Scott Gorman on your side means that your case will get the special attention it deserves. You can be certain that you will have an experienced, tireless, and skilled advocate working for you.
Morris County expungement attorney Scott Gorman can help you put the blemishes in your past behind you to give yourself a second chance.
If you are living with a criminal record, you may wonder who is aware of your conviction. Such uncertainty can cause anxiety and embarrassment. Even worse, your criminal record can get in the way of your landing a job or obtaining a professional license. A criminal record can also prevent you from being accepted into a school and you may even be denied a loan as a result of your criminal record.
Clear Your Criminal Record
An experienced expungement lawyer can help you to obtain a court order that would enable you to deny that an arrest, criminal proceedings, or a conviction ever took place, in all but a few limited circumstances. The New Jersey Legislature has created a mechanism that allows many people to conceal information relating to an arrest, even if the arrest resulted in a criminal conviction When records relating to an arrest have been expunged, if a person who is aware of the expungement discloses information relating to the expunged records, that person can be convicted of a disorderly persons offense.
Understand the Expungement Process in New Jersey
Most criminal convictions can be expunged after ten years have elapsed since the later of the completion of probation or parole, release from incarceration or payment of all fines. However, to successfully petition for an expungement, petitioners must demonstrate that they are not otherwise disqualified from obtaining the expungement. For instance, a criminal conviction cannot be expunged when the conviction touched upon the petitioner’s holding of a public office or public employment. Moreover, one prior or subsequent criminal conviction will prevent a person from obtaining an expungement of a criminal conviction. Two or more disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons adjudications will also serve as a bar to the expungement of a criminal conviction.
The purpose of the statutory scheme regarding expungements is to assist certain individuals in putting their past transgressions behind them when they can demonstrate that they have been rehabilitated and that they are not perpetual offenders. In furtherance of this policy, in 2010, the Legislature created a “public interest” exception to the ordinary expungement requirements to allow certain people to expunge records prior to the expiration of the ten-year period referenced above if granting an expungement would be in the public’s interest. To benefit from the “public interest” exception, a petitioner must prove that at least five years have elapsed since the later of the petitioner’s completion of probation or parole, release from incarceration, or payment of fines and that the petitioner has not been convicted of any crimes, disorderly persons offenses or petty disorderly persons offenses in the interim. Next, the petitioner must show that the expungement would be in the public interest, taking into consideration the nature of the offense and the petitioner’s character and conduct since the conviction.
Let’s Get to Work on Securing Your Future
Don’t allow a prior conviction to unnecessarily stand in your way. Call Scott Gorman, an expungement attorney in Morris County, to discuss how you can obtain a second chance.
Morris County juvenile lawyer Scott Gorman is highly qualified to advocate on behalf of your child.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Scott worked in Mount Holly, New Jersey at a residential facility for at-risk youth. As a residential counselor, Scott worked closely with hundreds of teenagers who had become involved with the juvenile justice system. Scott’s desire to work with children led him to serve as a case manager for a not-for-profit agency in Philadelphia where he coordinated services for the families of socially or emotionally troubled children. To ensure the progress of children with complex emotional and mental health issues, Scott worked together with families, school personnel, therapists, and other service providers. While a student at Cornell University, Scott worked in the after-school programs of two local elementary schools. He also coached and officiated youth baseball and basketball in his hometown of Roselle, New Jersey.
An Adjudication of Delinquency Can Mean Serious Consequences
While the system for prosecuting juveniles charged with criminal offenses is largely focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment, juvenile defense attorney Scott Gorman understands that serious consequences can result from juvenile charges. Juveniles who are accused of committing criminal acts are prosecuted in a manner that tends to be more informal and less adversarial than the analogous process for similarly situated adults. When juveniles are found to have committed offenses that would result in criminal convictions for adults, they are typically adjudicated as delinquent. An adjudication of delinquency can result in serious consequences, including placement at a juvenile detention center, in addition to other conditions such as fines, probation, and participation in certain treatment programs. Moreover, in some instances, juveniles have their cases transferred out of the family court to an adult criminal court where they face the same penalties as an adult offender.
The Rights of Juveniles vs. Adult Defendants
Fortunately, juveniles are afforded most of the same constitutional rights as adult defendants. For example, juveniles enjoy the right to be placed on notice of the charges against them, the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses, the right to be represented by legal counsel, and the protection against self-incrimination. However, in family court, juveniles are not entitled to an indictment before their matters can proceed to trial, and they are entitled to neither a jury trial nor bail.
Contact the Gorman Law Firm to Discuss Your Child’s Case
If your loved one is charged is charged as a juvenile in Morris County, call juvenile defense lawyer Scott Gorman today. Scott has helped dozens of juveniles to avoid the serious consequences that can flow from an adjudication of delinquency. Scott will take the time to understand your child and will work with your family to identify the child’s needs. He will use that information to portray your child in a positive light to seek a positive resolution that will reflect support for the child while minimizing the long-term negative consequences. Scott also possesses the talent, experience, and skill to aggressively defend against the allegations made against your loved one. In summary, Scott’s compassion, skill, and diligence enable him to most effectively represent your loved one who has been charged with a juvenile offense.