CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY | New Jersey
Protect Your Future With Powerful Defense
With over three decades of courtroom experience and a background as a former prosecutor, James M. Porfido brings unmatched strategic insight to every case.
James M. Porfido, Esq. brings three decades of New Jersey courtroom experience, the perspective of a former Morris County prosecutor, and the credibility of a Supreme Court Certified Criminal Trial Attorney. Today, he serves as Of Counsel to Einhorn Barbarito and offers strategic consultation and expert analysis to clients, attorneys, and courts on serious criminal matters.
CASES HANDLED
Counsel & Expert Analysis Across the Full Range of NJ Criminal Charges
DUI / DWI
A DWI charge can affect far more than driving privileges. Penalties under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 may bring fines, surcharges, license suspension, insurance consequences, and mandatory court proceedings.
02 – Drug Offenses
Drug Possession
Possession cases under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 often turns on how the evidence was found, who had control over the substance, and whether the surrounding facts support the charge.
Drug Distribution
Distribution allegations under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 are more serious than simple possession charges and may expose a person to heavier penalties, broader investigations, and more complex legal issues.
Assault
An assault accusation under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 may arise from a dispute, confrontation, or incident that escalates quickly. The severity often depends on the injuries alleged and the surrounding circumstances.
Domestic Violence
Matters under the NJ Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19) often involve both legal and personal disruption. In many cases, criminal allegations and restraining order proceedings move forward at the same time.
Weapons Charges
Weapons offenses under Chapter 39 of the NJ Code (N.J.S.A. 2C:39) are treated seriously and can carry severe penalties, even where the issue centers on possession or technical compliance.
07 – Property
Theft & Fraud
Charges under Chapter 20 of the NJ Code (N.J.S.A. 2C:20) can affect far more than a criminal record, including finances, employment, and professional standing.
White Collar Crimes
White collar allegations often involve business records, transactions, communications, or financial activity that require close review and careful attention to detail.
Federal Crimes
A federal investigation or charge usually follows a different path than a state-level criminal matter, with distinct procedures under the U.S. Code and often higher stakes.
Juvenile Defense
Matters under the NJ Code of Juvenile Justice (N.J.S.A. 2A:4A) can affect school, family life, and future opportunities in ways that require thoughtful handling.
Expungements
For many people, an old arrest or conviction continues to create problems long after the case is over. Expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52 may provide a path toward clearing an eligible record.
Probation Violations
A probation violation under N.J.S.A. 2C:45-3 can place an existing sentence or prior plea terms at risk and often requires prompt attention.
Restraining Orders
Restraining order matters under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-29 can affect housing, family relationships, daily life, and related criminal proceedings from the outset.
Sex Crimes
Few allegations carry consequences as immediate and serious as a sex crime accusation. Charges under N.J.S.A. 2C:14 carry both criminal penalties and collateral consequences including Megan’s Law registration.
Traffic Violations
Certain traffic matters under Title 39 can lead to more than fines or points, especially where driving privileges, insurance costs, or related charges are involved.
Appeals
When a prior case was affected by legal error, procedural problems, or unfair rulings, an appeal under the New Jersey Court Rules (R. 2:1 et seq.) may offer an avenue to challenge the outcome.
Municipal Court Defense
Municipal court matters may involve DWI charges, traffic offenses, disorderly persons allegations, and other lower-level criminal issues that still deserve careful attention.
Your case
Don’t see your charge? Every matter is unique.
Call for a confidential consultation to discuss the specific facts of your case.
DUI / DWI
A DWI charge can affect far more than driving privileges. Penalties under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 may bring fines, surcharges, license suspension, insurance consequences, and mandatory court proceedings.
Traffic Violations
Certain traffic matters under Title 39 can lead to more than fines or points, especially where driving privileges, insurance costs, or related charges are involved.
Drug Possession
Possession cases under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 often turns on how the evidence was found, who had control over the substance, and whether the surrounding facts support the charge.
Drug Distribution
Distribution allegations under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 are more serious than simple possession charges and may expose a person to heavier penalties, broader investigations, and more complex legal issues.
Assault
An assault accusation under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 may arise from a dispute, confrontation, or incident that escalates quickly. The severity often depends on the injuries alleged and the surrounding circumstances.
Theft & Fraud
Charges under Chapter 20 of the NJ Code (N.J.S.A. 2C:20) can affect far more than a criminal record, including finances, employment, and professional standing.
01 – Sex Crimes
Sex Crimes
Few allegations carry consequences as immediate and serious as a sex crime accusation. Charges under N.J.S.A. 2C:14 carry both criminal penalties and collateral consequences including Megan’s Law registration.
Federal Crimes
A federal investigation or charge usually follows a different path than a state-level criminal matter, with distinct procedures under the U.S. Code and often higher stakes.
Juvenile Defense
Matters under the NJ Code of Juvenile Justice (N.J.S.A. 2A:4A) can affect school, family life, and future opportunities in ways that require thoughtful handling.
01 – Post-Conviction
Expungements
For many people, an old arrest or conviction continues to create problems long after the case is over. Expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52 may provide a path toward clearing an eligible record.
Probation Violations
A probation violation under N.J.S.A. 2C:45-3 can place an existing sentence or prior plea terms at risk and often requires prompt attention.
Appeals
When a prior case was affected by legal error, procedural problems, or unfair rulings, an appeal under the New Jersey Court Rules (R. 2:1 et seq.) may offer an avenue to challenge the outcome.
Municipal Court Defense
Municipal court matters may involve DWI charges, traffic offenses, disorderly persons allegations, and other lower-level criminal issues that still deserve careful attention.
CASES HANDLED
Counsel & Expert Analysis Across the Full Range of NJ Criminal Charges
DUI / DWI
A DWI charge can affect far more than driving privileges. Penalties under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 may bring fines, surcharges, license suspension, insurance consequences, and mandatory court proceedings.
02 – Drug Offenses
Drug Possession
Possession cases under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 often turns on how the evidence was found, who had control over the substance, and whether the surrounding facts support the charge.
Drug Distribution
Distribution allegations under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 are more serious than simple possession charges and may expose a person to heavier penalties, broader investigations, and more complex legal issues.
Assault
An assault accusation under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 may arise from a dispute, confrontation, or incident that escalates quickly. The severity often depends on the injuries alleged and the surrounding circumstances.
Domestic Violence
Matters under the NJ Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19) often involve both legal and personal disruption. In many cases, criminal allegations and restraining order proceedings move forward at the same time.
Weapons Charges
Weapons offenses under Chapter 39 of the NJ Code (N.J.S.A. 2C:39) are treated seriously and can carry severe penalties, even where the issue centers on possession or technical compliance.
07 – Property
Theft & Fraud
Charges under Chapter 20 of the NJ Code (N.J.S.A. 2C:20) can affect far more than a criminal record, including finances, employment, and professional standing.
White Collar Crimes
White collar allegations often involve business records, transactions, communications, or financial activity that require close review and careful attention to detail.
Federal Crimes
A federal investigation or charge usually follows a different path than a state-level criminal matter, with distinct procedures under the U.S. Code and often higher stakes.
Juvenile Defense
Matters under the NJ Code of Juvenile Justice (N.J.S.A. 2A:4A) can affect school, family life, and future opportunities in ways that require thoughtful handling.
Expungements
For many people, an old arrest or conviction continues to create problems long after the case is over. Expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52 may provide a path toward clearing an eligible record.
Probation Violations
A probation violation under N.J.S.A. 2C:45-3 can place an existing sentence or prior plea terms at risk and often requires prompt attention.
Restraining Orders
Restraining order matters under N.J.S.A. 2C:25-29 can affect housing, family relationships, daily life, and related criminal proceedings from the outset.
Sex Crimes
Few allegations carry consequences as immediate and serious as a sex crime accusation. Charges under N.J.S.A. 2C:14 carry both criminal penalties and collateral consequences including Megan’s Law registration.
Traffic Violations
Certain traffic matters under Title 39 can lead to more than fines or points, especially where driving privileges, insurance costs, or related charges are involved.
Appeals
When a prior case was affected by legal error, procedural problems, or unfair rulings, an appeal under the New Jersey Court Rules (R. 2:1 et seq.) may offer an avenue to challenge the outcome.
Municipal Court Defense
Municipal court matters may involve DWI charges, traffic offenses, disorderly persons allegations, and other lower-level criminal issues that still deserve careful attention.
Your case
Don’t see your charge? Every matter is unique.
Call for a confidential consultation to discuss the specific facts of your case.
DUI / DWI
A DWI charge can affect far more than driving privileges. Penalties under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 may bring fines, surcharges, license suspension, insurance consequences, and mandatory court proceedings.
Traffic Violations
Certain traffic matters under Title 39 can lead to more than fines or points, especially where driving privileges, insurance costs, or related charges are involved.
Drug Possession
Possession cases under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 often turns on how the evidence was found, who had control over the substance, and whether the surrounding facts support the charge.
Drug Distribution
Distribution allegations under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 are more serious than simple possession charges and may expose a person to heavier penalties, broader investigations, and more complex legal issues.
Assault
An assault accusation under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 may arise from a dispute, confrontation, or incident that escalates quickly. The severity often depends on the injuries alleged and the surrounding circumstances.
Theft & Fraud
Charges under Chapter 20 of the NJ Code (N.J.S.A. 2C:20) can affect far more than a criminal record, including finances, employment, and professional standing.
01 – Sex Crimes
Sex Crimes
Few allegations carry consequences as immediate and serious as a sex crime accusation. Charges under N.J.S.A. 2C:14 carry both criminal penalties and collateral consequences including Megan’s Law registration.
Federal Crimes
A federal investigation or charge usually follows a different path than a state-level criminal matter, with distinct procedures under the U.S. Code and often higher stakes.
Juvenile Defense
Matters under the NJ Code of Juvenile Justice (N.J.S.A. 2A:4A) can affect school, family life, and future opportunities in ways that require thoughtful handling.
01 – Post-Conviction
Expungements
For many people, an old arrest or conviction continues to create problems long after the case is over. Expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52 may provide a path toward clearing an eligible record.
Probation Violations
A probation violation under N.J.S.A. 2C:45-3 can place an existing sentence or prior plea terms at risk and often requires prompt attention.
Appeals
When a prior case was affected by legal error, procedural problems, or unfair rulings, an appeal under the New Jersey Court Rules (R. 2:1 et seq.) may offer an avenue to challenge the outcome.
Municipal Court Defense
Municipal court matters may involve DWI charges, traffic offenses, disorderly persons allegations, and other lower-level criminal issues that still deserve careful attention.
Representation
Criminal Defense Counsel & Expert Analysis
James M. Porfido provides personalized, strategic counsel grounded in three decades of New Jersey courtroom work, prosecutorial experience, and his ongoing work as Author, Professor, and Certified Criminal Trial Attorney.
Supreme Court
CERTIFIED TRIAL ATTORNEY
35+ Years
Criminal Law Experience
Since 2005
Super Lawyer (Criminal Law)
Since 1995
Certified by NJ Supreme Court
Certified Criminal Trial Attorney
Since 1995
MEET YOUR ATTORNEY
James M. Porfido, Esq.
Of Counsel, Einhorn Barbarito | Author of Unequal Justice | Adjunct Law Professor of Persuasion and Advocacy
James M. Porfido has spent his career in New Jersey courtrooms as a former Morris County prosecutor, as a Supreme Court Certified Criminal Trial Attorney since 1995, and today as Of Counsel to Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno, PC. Fewer than 2% of New Jersey attorneys hold this certification.
His practice today focuses on strategic counsel, expert analysis, and consultation on serious criminal matters. He also teaches Persuasion and Advocacy at Seton Hall Law School and is the author of Unequal Justice: The Search for Truth to Balance the Scales, which examines systemic issues in the criminal justice system.
Three Pillars,
One Perspective
Former Morris County Prosecutor
Eight years building cases for the State at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, including Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Unit, Major Crimes & Homicide, and lead trial counsel for the Vehicular Homicide Unit.
Certified Criminal Trial Attorney
Certified by the NJ Supreme Court as a Criminal Trial Attorney since 1995. Super Lawyer in Criminal Law since 2006. Today, Of Counsel to Einhorn, Barbarito.
Author, Professor, Expert Analyst
Author of Unequal Justice. Adjunct Law Professor of Persuasion and Advocacy at Seton Hall Law School. Frequent legal commentator on Court TV and In Session.
Serving Clients in All New Jersey Municipal Courts and Superior Courts
James M. Porfido provides counsel and consultation on criminal matters in every New Jersey Municipal Court and Superior Court, with deep familiarity in Morris County, Sussex, Essex, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Bergen vicinages. Federal matters are handled through the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey.
INSIGHTS & RESOURCES
Legal Insights From a Certified Trial Attorney
PODCAST
The Trial Attorney’s Notebook
podcast series
Navigating Your Initial Court Date in Essex County
Understanding the arraignment process, bail determinations, and how to prepare for your initial hearing.
Case Studies
Real Case Outcomes for Real Clients
Every criminal case is different, but experience matters. James M. Porfido has handled a wide range of matters across New Jersey courts and works to pursue the strongest possible outcome based on the facts, the law, and the circumstances of each client.
PROVEN TRACK RECORD
Facing a Criminal Matter in New Jersey?
Speak with James M. Porfido about strategic counsel, expert analysis, or representation through Einhorn Barbarito.
Knowledge
Law in a Minute: Quick Legal Insights
Bite-sized legal tips delivered in under 60 seconds. Learn your rights, avoid pitfalls, and get expert answers from James M. Porfido, perfect for busy viewers who need quick, trustworthy information.
Before You Reach Out
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after being arrested in New Jersey?
Invoke your right to remain silent and contact a criminal defense attorney before answering any questions. Statements made to police before speaking with counsel may be admissible and can be used against you. A single early call to an experienced NJ criminal defense attorney can significantly affect the outcome of your case. James M. Porfido is available for consultation at (973) 683-1140.
What is an NJ Supreme Court Certified Criminal Trial Attorney?
NJ Supreme Court Certification in Criminal Trial Law is the highest credential a criminal defense attorney can earn in New Jersey. Fewer than 2% of licensed NJ attorneys hold this certification, which requires demonstrated trial experience, peer endorsement, and a rigorous NJ Supreme Court examination. James M. Porfido has been a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney since 1995, over 30 years.
Do you personally represent clients, or refer them to Einhorn Barbarito?
James M. Porfido provides counsel, consultation, and expert analysis on serious criminal matters. As Of Counsel to Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno, PC, he works closely with the firm’s criminal defense team to ensure clients receive coordinated representation, drawing on his three decades of NJ courtroom experience.
How much does a criminal defense consultation cost?
Consultation fees vary based on the complexity of the matter. Initial consultations are scheduled by phone. Payment plans are available for engagement of representation through Einhorn Barbarito. Major credit cards accepted.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in New Jersey?
New Jersey allows expungement of many arrests and convictions, including indictable offenses and disorderly persons offenses, after qualifying waiting periods. Following a successful expungement, a person is legally entitled to state that the arrest or conviction never occurred. Contact our office for an eligibility review.