Terrorist Threat Charges

Successfully represented T.H. in a Municipal Court in Monmouth County for Possession of Marijuana while at a concert at the PNC Arts Center. While this matter was proceeding, T.H. also was subsequently charged in a separate incident while at the Jersey Shore in Ocean County. T.H. confessed to the possession of the marijuana on both separate occasions. Nonetheless, as a result of extensive motion practice in both towns, respectively, both charges were ultimately dismissed, in their entirety, on procedural technicalities developed by Mr. Kessous. Thus, T.H. was saved from county jail, extensive fines, a criminal record and the humiliating experience of having to provide random urine samples over a period of a year in a probationary program for otherwise 1st time offenders.

Successfully represented T.H. in a Municipal Court in Ocean County. T.H. was charged with Speeding 92 mph a 50 mph zone as well as reckless driving. Each of these charges carried with it (5) points as well as a possible suspension of driving privileges for up to six (6) months, respectively. Mr. Kessous was able to persuade the State and the Court to dismiss the reckless driving ticket and amend the speeding ticket to 64 mph on a 50 mph zone, merely a two (2) point violation, with the agreement that the Defendant complete a safe driving course.

Successfully defended A.B. in Middlesex County for allegations of 1st degree and 2nd degree crimes of Aggravated Sexual Assaults against two (2) children over a period of several years. The purported victims’ family wrote letters to the Court indicating their wish that A.B. receive “at least 30 years in prison”. Nonetheless, after the completion of extensive motion practice by Mr. Kessous, the Defendant ultimately plead guilty to merely a non-sexual child neglect/abuse 3rd degree crime, with a minor “time-served” county jail sentence. This result avoided exposure to an otherwise extensive NJ State Prison sentence, along with living with the brand of “Pedophile” that is Megan’s Law and Community/Parole Supervision For Life service requirements.

Successfully defended A.R.A. in a city municipal court in Union county. Mr. Kessous was able persuade the State to completely dismiss a criminal charge of Obstruction the Administration of Law. As the Defendant was attempting to adjust his status to remain in the country, this result was critical to his aspirations.

Successfully defended J.A. from Child Endangerment charges within Somerset County. As a 2nd Degree Crime, J.A. was facing five (5) to ten (10) years New Jersey State Prison for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with a BAC of 2x the legal limit with children passengers within in the vehicle. As J.A. was not a U.S. citizen, he also faced serious immigration consequences from such a conviction. He was also facing mandatory jail time as this offense also would have constituted his 7th Driving While Suspended offense. After extensive negotiations with the Prosecutor’s Office Mr. Kessous successfully persuaded the Court and the State to allow him into the Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program absent any foundational conviction ordinarily required for a 2nd degree charge as well as an amendment of the Driving While Suspended charge to a charge that allowed for community service as opposed to jail. This gave J.A. a full and fair opportunity to seek a medical remedy to his alcohol issues while simultaneously avoided a criminal conviction that would have been devastating for his family.