Located directly across the George Washington Bridge, Fort Lee is one of the busiest and most heavily policed transit hubs in New Jersey. With local police, the Port Authority Police Department, and New Jersey State Troopers all patrolling the area, an ordinary commute or a night out can quickly turn into a devastating criminal charge. Whether you are a local resident, an out-of-state driver from New York, or just passing through, a criminal conviction here can result in jail time, steep fines, and a permanent criminal record.

I am Brett M. Rosen, Esq., a partner at Proetta, Oliver & Rosen. Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney—a prestigious designation held by less than 1% of practicing attorneys in the state—I limit my practice to complex, high-stakes, and heavily scrutinized criminal litigation.

As a first-generation lawyer, I entered criminal defense with a singular philosophy: standing up to bullies and leveling the playing field against the unlimited resources of the government. My commitment to protecting the underdog has led to acquittals, dismissals, and directed verdicts.* Whether I am representing private citizens, celebrities, or a Grammy Award-winning artist, my aggressive, tech-forward courtroom advocacy remains the same.

My trial work and legal analysis have been featured globally in The New York Times, CNN, Fox News, Law360, and the New Jersey Law Journal. In 2023, I secured a full acquittal for a client facing 40 years in prison, and in 2024, I obtained a directed verdict of acquittal in a trial where the complainant was a police officer.* Consistently named to the Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Rising Stars list and holding a perfect 10.0 Superb Avvo rating, I provide the meticulous, trial-ready defense you need when everything is on the line.** I was also profiled in People Magazine. 

Operating out of my office in neighboring Englewood Cliffs, I routinely litigate cases in Fort Lee and throughout Bergen County. I know the local courts, the prosecutors, and precisely how to dismantle their case against you.

*Disclosure: Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

**Disclosure: No aspect of Super Lawyers Rising Stars advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Please visit the Super Lawyers Selection Process for a detailed description of the Super Lawyers selection methodology.

Fort Lee Municipal Court Information

If you are charged with a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor), a DWI, or a severe traffic violation in Fort Lee, your case will be heard at the local municipal court. If you are charged with a felony (an indictable offense like aggravated assault or a weapons charge), your case will be processed initially in Fort Lee before being transferred to the Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.

Having an attorney who is familiar with the local court personnel and scheduling is a massive advantage in navigating your defense.

Borough of Fort Lee Municipal Court

• Court Address: 309 Main Street, Room G-01, Fort Lee, NJ 07024

• Phone Number: (201) 592-3500 x1509

• Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

• Court Administrator: June C. Keelen, CMCA

• Court Sessions: Criminal and DWI matters are generally heard on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 9:30 AM, and on the first and third Thursdays at 9:00 AM. Traffic court sessions are held on designated Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5:00 PM.

Potential Crimes & Penalties in Fort Lee, NJ

Due to the convergence of major highways (I-95, Route 4, Route 46, Route 9W) and the George Washington Bridge, Fort Lee sees a high volume of specific offenses. As an experienced criminal defense lawyer, I frequently defend clients against the following:

1. Drug Possession & Paraphernalia (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10)

While marijuana has been legalized for adult recreational use in New Jersey, the possession of hard drugs (cocaine, heroin, unauthorized prescription pills like Xanax or Oxycodone) remains a serious indictable offense. A third-degree drug possession charge carries up to 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison and thousands of dollars in fines.

2. Simple Assault & Domestic Violence (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1a)

Simple assault involves purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person. In Fort Lee, these charges frequently stem from domestic disputes, altercations at local bars, or road rage incidents. Simple assault is a disorderly persons offense carrying up to 6 months in the Bergen County Jail and a $1,000 fine. If a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is also filed, you face the loss of your home and child custody rights.

3. Shoplifting (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11)

Fort Lee is home to numerous retail centers and boutiques. Shoplifting is heavily prosecuted, and the penalties scale based on the retail value of the stolen goods. Taking merchandise valued at less than $200 is a disorderly persons offense. However, if the value exceeds $200, it becomes a felony, subjecting you to state prison time and permanent immigration consequences if you are not a U.S. citizen.

4. DWI and Refusal (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 & 39:4-50.4a)

Port Authority Police and local officers strictly enforce Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) laws near the bridge. New Jersey does not allow plea bargaining for DWIs. A conviction results in mandatory license suspension, thousands in surcharges, the mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID), and potential jail time.

5. Unlawful Possession of a Weapon / Graves Act (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5)

Many out-of-state drivers legally licensed to carry firearms in states like Pennsylvania or New York are arrested at the George Washington Bridge because they do not have a New Jersey carry permit. Under NJ’s Graves Act, a weapons conviction carries a mandatory minimum state prison sentence with a strict period of parole ineligibility.

Strategic Defenses to Criminal Charges

An arrest is not a conviction. When you hire my firm, we immediately demand all discovery—including police dashcam footage, bodycam video, Alcotest records, and witness statements—to find the fatal flaws in the prosecution’s case.

Our defense strategies often include:

• Challenging the Motor Vehicle Stop (4th Amendment): The police cannot pull you over without reasonable articulable suspicion. If the initial stop on the Palisades Interstate Parkway or I-95 was illegal, all evidence gathered afterward (drugs, guns, breathalyzer results) must be suppressed and thrown out of court.

• Suppressing Illegal Searches: If the police searched your car, your pockets, or your home without a valid warrant, probable cause, or your voluntary consent, we will file a Motion to Suppress the evidence.

• Contesting Constructive Possession: For drug and weapons charges involving a vehicle with multiple passengers, the State must prove you had the intent and capacity to control the contraband. Mere proximity to a weapon or drugs is not enough for a conviction.

• Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) & Conditional Discharge: For first-time offenders, we heavily negotiate with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office to enroll you in diversionary programs. Upon successful completion, the charges are dismissed entirely, preserving your clean record.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. I was arrested in Fort Lee by Port Authority Police. Do I go to a different court? No. If the offense occurred within the jurisdiction of Fort Lee, the Fort Lee Municipal Court will typically handle the initial processing and all non-indictable traffic and misdemeanor charges, even if the arresting agency was the Port Authority or the New Jersey State Police.

2. Can an out-of-state driver just pay a Fort Lee criminal fine and avoid court? Absolutely not. If you are charged with a criminal offense or a serious traffic violation (like a DWI or Driving While Suspended), a court appearance is almost always mandatory. Paying a ticket online for a moving violation acts as an automatic guilty plea, which will transfer points to your New York or home-state license.

3. Do I really need a lawyer for a disorderly persons offense? Yes. A disorderly persons offense is New Jersey’s equivalent of a misdemeanor. A conviction leaves you with a permanent, public criminal record that will show up on background checks for employment, housing, and professional licensing.

4. Can my Fort Lee criminal charges be expunged later? It depends on the outcome of your case. If we secure a dismissal or you complete a diversionary program like PTI, the arrest record can be expunged relatively quickly. If you are convicted, you must wait the statutory period (typically 5 years for a disorderly persons offense) and maintain a clean record before applying for an expungement.

Contact a Fort Lee Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

When your freedom, your livelihood, and your reputation are on the line, you cannot afford to rely on an inexperienced attorney. You need a trial-tested advocate who understands the stakes.

Brett M. Rosen, Esq. | Silberman, Proetta, Oliver & Rosen Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney

If you or a loved one has been arrested or issued a summons in Fort Lee, do not wait. Call our Englewood Cliffs office today to schedule a confidential consultation. 201-693-0476 & brett@nynjcriminalcivilesq.com

Disclaimer & Attorney Advertising Notice The materials and information provided on this page have been prepared for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Accessing, viewing, or submitting information through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Brett M. Rosen, Esq., or Proetta, Oliver & Rosen. You should not act upon any information provided on this website without seeking advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.