Howard Woodley Bailey

CRIMINAL DEFENSE - ANY COURT. ANY CRIME. ANY TIME. As a Criminal Trial Attorney, I specialize in the field of criminal defense, defending the rights and freedom of clients throughout the State of New Jersey. I have been involved with the field of criminal law for over forty years. I have proven my expertise, knowledge and commitment to defending those charged with crimes repeatedly, representing a large and significant number of client’s at trial through to a verdict; testing my trial skills; my knowledge of the law, court rules and trial procedure. Often however, that is not the path that leads to the best outcome for a client who is eligible for a negotiated 'plea deal' or a diversion of their case that leads to the possibility of a dismissal of the charges. I cannot predict what will occur when my client and I take our case to the jury, but most trials (as in the case of a recent 43-count NOT GUILTY verdict I earned in the NJ Superior Court have been a far better (but more risky) outcome for my client than what the State was offering as a plea. As a Criminal Trial Attorney, I focus my defense efforts on clients charged with violating the criminal law of the State of New Jersey. Among the types of cases I have personally handled are cases involving Racketeering; Murder; Kidnapping; Medical Claims Fraud; Official Misconduct; Leader of Drug Trafficking Network; Robbery; Carjacking; Insurance Fraud; Rape; and, Perjury and most of the other types of crimes charged in the criminal code. Before becoming a Criminal Defense Attorney, I was an Assistant Essex County (N.J.) Prosecutor for fifteen years; and, before that a police officer for ten years. During that time and now as a defense lawyer, I handled cases using every type of investigation used by the police, to include wiretapping, eavesdropping and other types of electronic surveillance; buy-bust and sting operations; undercover police investigations; and, more traditional investigation activities such as field investigation and witness interview. My decades of experience handling difficult cases and issues in the field of criminal law, provides me with a firm foundation to handle the emotionally charged atmosphere that permeates every type of court case. The emotions of all parties run hot, and I counter-balance the emotionally charged atmosphere of these cases by using my extensive trial and courtroom experience to protect my client's interests. Knowing what a Judge will think in regards to a particular argument allows me to vigorously advocate on behalf of my client. Whether I am negotiating with my adversary or advocating before the Judge, they know I am more than able to handle a trial on the merits; and, that I am not afraid to push the case to trial if that is what it takes to protect the interests of my client. The types of Criminal Defense cases I have frequently represented clients on include: Adult Criminal Defense and Appeals; Juvenile Defense and Waiver; International and Interstate Extradition; DWI / DUI Defense; Traffic Violations; CDL Violations; Municipal Court Defense; Municipal Appeals; Motor Vehicle Commission Hearings; Arraignments and Detention Hearings; Probation Violations; Parole Violations; ISP Applications; Record Expungement; Interstate Extradition; Post-Conviction Relief Applications; Domestic Violence Charges; and TRO / FRO  Restraining Orders.