PRO
Virtual Consultation Available
Steven F. Wukovits, raised in Union, New Jersey, earned his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University and his J.D. from Capital University Law School; he is admitted to practice in the State and Federal Courts of New Jersey. From 1989 to 1994 he served as an Assistant Essex County Prosecutor and Special Deputy Attorney General, acquiring extensive felony trial experience. In 1995 the New Jersey Supreme Court designated him a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, an honor held by fewer than 1% of New Jersey lawyers. After joining the firm in 1996, he became partner in 2001 and has since led the firm’s state and federal criminal defense practice, handling high-profile and serious matters—murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, arson, sexual assault, weapons offenses, official misconduct, and more—as well as municipal cases, DWIs, restraining orders, appeals, and PCR applications. A frequent referral choice for complex cases, he is a New Jersey Super Lawyers honoree, AVVO top-rated attorney, member of national criminal-defense lists, a Criminal Advisory/Speedy Trial Committee participant, and was recognized for meritorious public service by the N.J. Supreme Court’s District Ethics Committee. He also represents clients in personal injury and workers’ compensation matters.
3
Practice Areas
Always
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
Showing 1 - 5 of 269 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Monika | January 15, 2026 | Hired Attorney
I contacted attorney Steve Wukovits after my father was arrested on serious felony charges. He successfully argued for the County Prosecutor to downgrade the charges to Municipal Court. Steve then persuaded both the Prosecutor and the Judge to grant my father a conditional dismissal of the case. He a...
Thank you for your very kind words. Please send my regards to your dad and the rest of the family.
Posted by Stefano | December 1, 2025 | Hired Attorney
AFTER HIRING NJ SUPER LAWYER STEVE WUKOVITS, THE CRIMINAL/FELONY CASE WAS QUICKLY DOWNGRADED BY THE BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE. AFTER SEVERAL COURT DATES AND STEVE’S CONTINUED DEMAND FOR “DISCOVERY”, THE CASE WAS DISMISSED BY THE LOCAL JUDGE. IN ADDITION, AN EXPEDITIED EXPUNGEMENT WAS GR...
Posted by Andrew | November 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney
I am a successful businessman and someone made false allegations against me. When my case was being reviewed by county prosecutors I knew I needed to protect myself with the best attorneys. I contacted a family friend and he recommended NJ super Lawyer Steve Wukovits, who quickly worked on my case. ...
Posted by Jessica | October 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney
I hired N.J. Super Lawyers Steve Wukovits, his law partner (Marc Sposato) and their associate (Alex Yandoli) worked very hard to keep my beloved dad out of state prison. Thanks to our awesome lawyers, my dad did not spend any time locked up. Truly a dream team!!!
Posted by Louis | October 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney
I unfortunately found myself entangled up in the criminal justice system after I tried to do the right thing. As a professional businessman, I knew I needed to hire the best lawyers to fight the criminal charge brought against me. I immediately contacted New Jersey Super Lawyer Steve Wukovits, who, a...
"Mr. Wukovits and I have represented co-defendants in a number of high profile cases. He is a hard worker with a excellent trial skills. He is a great addition to any defense team."
"Steven and I have worked together on many complex criminal matters. He is very experienced, aggressive and creative in his approach to both defending clients and dealing with adversaries. He is well regarded by Judges, their court staff, and other practicing attorneys. His ethics are beyond reproach, and he is a star in the legal community."
"I have known Steve for more than 15 years and have worked on many cases with him over that time. I have never met a more dedicated, talented and passionate advocate. Steve is committed to achieving the best possible results for his clients. With decades of experience, hard work and exemplary skills; Steve is highly respected by judges, prosecutors and his peers. He is truly one of the best."
Unknown lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
Recognized Excellence in Criminal Defense Law, Lawyers of Distinction
2025
Client's Choice, AVVO
2025
Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2025
Super Lawyer (N.J.), Super Lawyers Magazine
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Client's Choice Award, AVVO
2024
"Superb" (100 Rating, AVVO
2024
Super Lawyer (N.J.), Super Lawyers Magazine
2023
Recognized Excellence in Criminal Defense Law, Lawyers of Distinction
2023
America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2023
New Jersey Top Attorneys, New Jersey Monthly Magazine
2023
Top 100 Trial Laywers, The National Trial Lawyers
2023
Top Contributor, Avvo
2023
Client's Choice, Avvo
2023
Super Lawyer (N.J.), Super Lawyers Magazine
2023
AVVO 'Superb' (100) Rating, Avvo
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Client's Choice, Avvo
2022
Top Contributor, Avvo
2022
Super Lawyer (N.J.), Super Lawyers Magazine
2022
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyer
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
New Jersey Top Attorneys, New Jersey Monthly Magazine
2022
America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2022
Recognized Excellence in Criminal Defense Law, Lawyers of Distinction
2021
Recognized Excellence in Criminal Defense Law, Lawyers of Distinction
2021
American's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2021
New Jersey Top Attorneys, New Jersey Monthly Magazine
2021
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2021
Top Contributor, AVVO
2021
Client's Choice, AVVO
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyers Magazine, Super Lawyers (N.J.)
2021
Top Rated Lawyer in New Jersey, Lawyers of Distinction
2020
Top Attorney, New Jersey Monthly Magazine
2020
AVVO 'Superb' (10.0) Rating, Avvo
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2020
Excellence In Criminal Defense Law, Lawyers of Distinction
2020
Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2019
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2019
AVVO 'Superb' (10.0) Rating, Avvo
2019
10 Best Attorneys - NJ, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2019
Excellence In Criminal Defense Law, Lawyers of Distinction
2019
Top Attorney, New Jersey Monthly Magazine
2018
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2018
Top Attorney, New Jersey Monthly Magazine
2018
10 Best Attorneys- NJ, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2017
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2017
Lifetime Achievement Award, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2017
10 Best Attorneys- NJ, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2016
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2001 - Present
Partner, Triarsi Betancourt Walsh & Wukovits & Dugan, LLC
1996 - 2000
Associate, PISANO, TRIARSI & BETANCOURT
1994 - 1996
Founder, LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN F. WUKOVITS, P.C.
1989 - 1994
Assistant Prosecutor, Essex County Prosecutor's Office
1989 - 1994
Special Deputy Attorney General, Essex County Prosecutor's Office
Member
Member
2010 - 2010
New Jersey Supreme Court's District Ethics CommitteeSpecial Investigator
2007 - 2009
New Jersey Supreme Court's District Ethics CommitteeMember
Expungement Order Granted by Court After Client Completed CD Program
One (1) Year of Probation Following Guilty Plea to Downgraded Charge of Simple Assault, A Disorderly Persons Offense
Judgment of Dismissal by N.J. Municipal Court; Expedited Expungement Order Granted
Judgment of Dismissal by N.J. Municipal Court; Expedited Expungement Order Granted
NJ State Prison Sentence for 3 Years Subject to a 1 Year Period of Parole Ineligibility ("STIP") Pursuant to Graves Act Following Guilty Plea to 2nd Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun
Fines & Fees ONLY Following Guilty Plea (Reckless Driving ONLY); NO License Suspension & All Reamaining Motor Vehicle Summonses Dismissed (Including DWI)
Order of Dismissal of TRO by N.J. Superior Court
Judgement of Dismissal by N.J. Superior Court
3 Year Flat N.J. State Prison Sentence Following Plea to 3rd Degree Aggravated Offense
Order of Return of Weapons/Ammunition by the Court After State's Seizure of Firearms from Client (DM)
Parole Supervision for Life & Megan's Law Registration Following Plea to 3rd Degree Criminal Attempt/Endangering Offense; NO County or State Prison Sentence
One (1) Year "Stright" Probation Following Plea to Obstructing Administration of Law. A Disorderly Persons Offense
Order of Dismissal of TRO by N.J. Superior Court
N.J. State Prison Sentence for 3 Years Subject to a 1 Year Period of Parole Ineligibility ("STIP") Pursuant to Graves Act Following Plea to 2nd Degree Unlawful Possesion of Handgun
Fines & Fees ONLY Following Guilty Plea to DWI; No Driver's License Suspension; Interlock Device for 90 Days & IDRC Classes (All Remaining Motor Vehicle Summonses Dimissed)
Three (3) Year Probationary Term for Juvenile Following Plea to Commit 2nd Degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery
Client Permitted Entry into Pretrial Intervention (PTI) Program
Judgement of Dismissal on All Counts
Two (2) Year Non-Custodial Probationary Sentence for Guilty Plea to Amended 3rd Degree Eluding Police/After Instruction to Stop MV
Two (2) Year Non-Custodial Probationary Sentence for Guilty Plea(s) to 3rd Degree Terroristic Threats (2 Counts)
Order of Dismissal Against State
Dismissal of TRO by N.J. Superior Court
Sentence to RECOVERY COURT PROBATION following Guilty Plea to 2nd Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS
Five (5) Years N.J. State Prison Term subject to NERA (85% rule) for Guilty Plea to Amended Charge of 2nd Degree Robbery
Dismissal of TRO by N.J. Superior Court
Dismissal of TRO by N.J. Superior Court
Judgement of Dismissal on All Counts
DISMISSAL OF CHARGE; EXPEDITED EXPUNGEMENT GRANTED BY COURT
Two (2) Year Probationary Sentence for Guilty Plea to 2nd Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (Graves Act)
DISMISSAL OF CHARGES
Two (2) Year Probationary Sentence for Guilty Plea to 3rd Degree Aggravated Assault on a Domestic Violence Victim (2C:12-1b.(12))
Dismissal of All Charges
Fourteen (14) Year Prison Sentence, Subject to NERA, for Guilty Plea to Downgraded Charge of Aggravated Manslaughter; Concurrent Sentence of Eight (8) Years with a Favor (4) Year "Stip" for 2nd Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun Without a Permit
Client Permitted Entry into Pretrial Intervention (PTI) Program
DISMISSAL OF CHARGE; EXPEDITED EXPUNGEMENT GRANTED BY COURT
Dismissal of TRO (Following FRO Trial)
DISMISSAL OF CHARGE; EXPEDITED EXPUNGEMENT GRANTED BY COURT
DISMISSAL OF INDICTMENT
DISMISSAL OF ALL CHARGES
DISMISSAL OF CHARGE; EXPEDITED EXPUNGEMENT
Order Mandating Conditional Release After Earlier Verdict of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI)
Three (3) Year Probationary Sentence for Guilty Plea to 2nd Degree Unlawful Possession Weapon-Handgun Without Permit
Plea to Downgraded Disorderly Persons Offense (Shoplifting); Time Served Sentence Only; No Jail/Prison Time; No Probation; Minimum Fines & Penalties Imposed
Plea to Amended to 3rd Degree Agg Assault-Attempt/Cause Significant Bodily Injury, 2C:12-1B(7); Time Served Sentence; No Prison or Jail Time; No Period of Parole; Minimum Fines & Penalties
Dismissal of Indictment
Dismissal of the charge; Expedited Expungement Granted
Dismissal of TRO Following Trial Before N.J. Superior Court
Dismissal of the charge; expedited expungement
Client's Admission into Intensive Supervision program (following Court's earlier sentence of a 3 year "flat" term)
Dismissal of All Charges
Dismissal of Any & All Charges after Remand/Downgrade of Criminal/Felony Matter
One (1) Year Probationary Sentence for Guilty Plea to 4th Degree Criminal Sexual Contact; Minimal Fines/Penalties Imposed
4 Year NERA (85% Rule) Sentence for 2nd° Robbery (treated as a 3rd° crime for sentencing purposes) CONCURRENT to 5 Year Sentence with a 42 Month Parole Disqualifier (“stip”) for Unlawful Possession of a Handgun.
Order of Dismissal by Court on Trial Date
Dismissal of TRO Following Trial Before N.J. Superior Court
Judgement of Acquittal by Court After State Rested
Non-Custodial "Straight" Probation, 3 Years, CONCURRENT (to 2nd Case) for Guilty Pleas to 3rd Degree Distribution of CDS (2nd Case)
Non-Custodial "Straight Probation", 3 Years, CONCURRENT (to 1st case) for Guilty Pleas to 3rd Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS and 2nd Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun without A Permit
Entry Into the PTI Program for Three (3) Years
Dismissal of Simple Assault Charge
Non-Custodial Straight Probation for Plea to Downgraded Offense of 4th Degree Criminal Sexual Contact
Dismissal of TRO Following Trial Before N.J. Superior Court
Non-Custodial "Straight Probation" Three (3) Years for Plea to 3rd Degree Possession of CDS
Judgement of Dismissal
Non-Custodial Straight Probation, One (1) Year Only, for Plea to 3rd Degree Possession of CDS, CONCURRENT to Probation for Third Degree Theft of Services (for a second unrealted case)
Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI)
Admission into Pretrial Intervention (PTI) Program for One Year
Non-Custodial "Straight" Probation, One (1) Year Only, for Downgraded Offense of 4th Degree Possession of CDS
DISMISSAL Following Downgrade & Remand of Case to the Newark (City) Municipal Court
Following Plea to Downgraded Petty Disorderly Offense ("Disorderly Conduct"), Monetary Penalties Only; No Jail, Probation and/or Community Service
Dismissal of TRO Following 2-Day Trial Before N.J. Superior Court
10 Year Sentence Concurrent to Federal Sentence Following Plea to 2nd Degree Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Minimum Fines Imposed
3 Year "Straight", (Non-Custodial) Probation Following Plea to 2nd Degree Unlawful Possession of Weapon-Handgun Without Permit and 4th Degree Possession of Large Capacity Magazine; Minimum Fines Imposed
1 Year "Straight" Probation Following Plea to 2nd Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun Without Permit& 4th Degree Hollow Point Bullets; Minimum Fines Imposed
Non-Custodial “Straight” Probation for One (1) Year (only) for 4th Degree Assault by Auto; Minimal Fines Imposed
Non-Custodial "Straight" Probation for One (1) Year (only) for Downgraded Charge of 3rd Degree Theft from Person; Minimal Fines Imposed
Three (3) Years "Straight" Probation; Following Plea to Downgraded Charge of 4th Degree Prohibited Transport of Firearm; Forfeiture of Glock Handgun; 6 Months Additional Suspension of Driver's License; Minimal Fines Imposed
Two (2) Years “Straight” Probation; Following Plea to 4th Degree Prohibited Weapon and/or Devices; Forfeiture of 9MM Luger, Minimal Fines Imposed
Non-Custodial, “Straight” Probation; Minimum Fines Imposed
Non-Custodial, “Straight” Probation Following Guilty Plea(s) to Downgraded 4th Degree “Cruelty & Neglect of Children” Charge (NJSA 9:6-3)
Fines Only; No Probation/Jail/Prison; No Contact With Victim; No Ownership of Firearm(s)
Three (3) Year NERA (85% Rule) Sentence For Guilty Plea to 2nd° Robbery (treated as a 3rd° crime for sentencing purposes); Minimum Fine and Penalties Imposed; Dismissal of All Other Charges, including Graves Act offenses
Five (5) Year Sentence for Guilty Plea to Count One (only), 2nd degree Possession of a Weapon Handgun for An Unlawful Purpose; Minimum Fine and Penalties Imposed; Dismissal of All Other charges
Entry into PTI for One (1) Year
Two (2) Years of Probation Following Guilty Plea to Downgraded Charge of 3rd Degree Eluding
Entry Into the PTI Program for One (1) Year
Entry into PTI Program following Amendment of 2nd Degree Receiving Stolen Property to 3rd Degree Receiving Stolen Property & Dismissal of All Other Counts of Indictment
Two (2) Years of Probation Following Guilty Plea to Downgraded Charge of 4th Degree Conspiracy to Possess CDS (Hashish)
One (1) Year of Probation Following Guilty Plea to Downgraded Charge of 4th Degree Title 9 “Child Abuse”
"Time Served Sentence"; Dismissal of All Remaining Counts of Indictment
Entry Into the PTI Program
Entry Into the PTI Program for One (1) Year
Plea to Downgraded Charge of Disorderly Persons Offense of Theft Under $200.00; Fines only; No prison/jail; no probation
Plea to Downgraded Charge of “Wandering (Loitering)”; Fines ($125.00) only; No prison/jail; no probation
Back-End Deferred Disposition Upon Completion of 12 Month Probationary Period for Juvenile
Dismissal of Simple Assault Charge; Court’s Order of Automatic Expungement Granted
Entry Into the PTI Program; Restitution of $25,379.76 Permitted Over a Two (2) Year Period
Guilty Plea to Count One Only (Possession With Intent to Distribute CDS/Cocaine) In Exchange for Prosecutor’s Recommendation of a “PAC 90 (Day) Sentence,” Dismissal Of All Other Counts/Charges.
Spanish
English
Legal Answers
Top Contributor
Steven earned significant contribution points in 2024.
Why would my harrassment charge be moved to conflict judge
21 Jan 2026
Should I get a lawyer for this, if so; what type or kind of lawyer should I get?
17 Oct 2025
Can the charges be dropped? Do I have to have a lawyer ask?
03 Oct 2025