Michael J. Beatrice, P.C., Attorney at Law

Criminal Defense

A local police officer, president of the PBA, was charged with theft and misconduct in office. Mr. Beatrice argued at trial that the activities of the officer were not criminal and were, in fact, justified. The court agreed, and the officer was found Not Guilty.

Criminal Defense

A man accused of following a wealthy property owner’s orders to clear a 1.5-acre swath behind the owner’s mansion was charged with theft, criminal mischief, and other charges for clearing public parkland to build a private tennis court. The theft charge carried a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. After extensive motion practice and challenges by Mr. Beatrice, the indictment was dismissed.

Criminal Defense

A woman was charged with removing political signs for a candidate running for town council. Mr. Beatrice argued that this wasn’t a criminal act and should not be treated as such. As a result, the charges were dismissed.

Criminal Defense

An Iraq War veteran was charged with Death-by-Auto for a drunk-driving crash that killed two men who were changing a tire on the roadside, a charge that carried with it a maximum of 20 years with a mandatory minimum of 17 years without parole. As a result of his arguments that the blood tests were taken in violation of the man’s constitutional rights, Mr. Beatrice was able to get the charges reduced, saving his client about 15 years of prison time and eliminating the no-parole provisions.

Criminal Defense

A man from Villa Marcone, Italy, who had built a successful concrete business in New Jersey but had never applied for U.S. citizenship, was charged with resisting arrest and attempted bribery and was facing prison and deportation. As part of a plea agreement negotiated by Mr. Beatrice, he got a five-year probationary sentence and a $2,500 fine. Deportation charges were dismissed.

Criminal Defense

A Korean woman was accused of slashing another woman repeatedly with a box cutter. Later, the woman was injured in a car accident. Medical experts obtained by Mr. Beatrice for the defense all agreed that her injuries prevented her from being able to assist in her own defense. In 2002 the court ruled that the injuries sustained in a car accident had rendered the woman incompetent to stand trial and the indictment was dismissed.