Possession Prescription Drugs

Successfully defended D.P. for allegations within a municipal court in Ocean County of assault on an officer. As a Legal Permanent Resident, even one criminal conviction for this conduct could have result in severe immigration consequences. After extensive negotiations including discussions of the nature of the confrontation with law enforcement, Mr. Kessous resolved all of the matters to merely a single non-criminal/local ordinance violation of “loud noise in public ”. Mr. Kessous also was able to have the Complaint amended to the Defendant’s true name absent the issuance of any further criminal charges for Hindering Apprehension.

Successfully defended W.A. in Somerset County. W.A. was indicted for molesting a six (6) year old girl. If convicted, W.A. would have had to serve a prison term of 5-10 yrs, 85% served before becoming eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act (NERA). Following his release from prison, he would have also have been required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and be on perpetual parole under the Community Supervision for Life requirements. Having recently obtained an Acquittal after Trial in the same jurisdiction for similar charges for another client, W.L. sought out Mr. Kessous’ services after his prior counsel recommended that he enter a guilty plea. During the course of extensive litigation, Mr. Kessous posited the defense that these allegations were the result of undue pressure by the child’s mother against W.A., and that his purported confession was unreliable as a result of coercive interrogation tactics by law enforcement. The State ultimately dismissed the Indictment in its entirety.

Successfully represented A.H. in a Municipal Court in Mercer County. A.H. was charged with Speeding 108 mph a 65 mph zone as well as careless driving. The speeding ticket carried with it five (5) points as well as a possible suspension of driving privileges for up to six (6) months while the careless driving ticket carried two (2) points. Mr. Kessous was able to persuade the State and the Court to dismiss the careless driving ticket and amend the speeding ticket to 80 mph on a 50 mph zone, merely a four (4) point violation, without any suspension of the Defendant’s driving privileges despite the high speed.

Successfully defended P.K. for a DWI violation in a small town in Middlesex County. Mr. Kessous was able to persuade the State and the Court to suppress the .12 Breath Test reading. Mr. Kessous advocated that the Defendant provided his breath samples while wearing a tongue ring, thus creating the possibility of a compromised Blood Alcohol reading as a result of trace mouth alcohol. This result saved P.K. what would have been an additional 4 to 9 additional months of driver’s license suspension.

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.