Noteworthy Cases
The following are excerpts and summaries of Star Ledger, Westfield Leader, and News Tribune articles on some of Mr. Spagnoli's many notable cases:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
State v. Kennedy
Mr. Spagnoli won an acquittal for Mr. Kennedy, who was one of three charged in a bloody beating. Mr. Kennedy was found not guilty. He could have faced up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
State v. Arias
Mr. Spagnoli represented Ms. Arias, who was part of a 15-member gang that beat a man to death. She received a reduced sentence.
State v. McKenzie
Through Mr. Spagnoli's efforts, a Plainfield High School student who sliced a student's face, requiring 100 stitches, received only a short custodial sentence.
HARASSMENT
State v. Tucci
Mr. Spagnoli had a Roselle Park Police Captain's conviction reversed on appeal, and his job and lost wages were reinstated after being found guilty in a harassment case.
IMPERSONATION
State v. Sheehy
A Linden public works employee accused of impersonating a police officer pleaded guilty to violation of a town ordinance.
KIDNAPPING
State v. Durham
With Mr. Spagnoli's representation, after a jury trial and facing 30 years in jail, Mr. Durham was found not guilty of all charges, which included first and second degree kidnapping, criminal restraint, terroristic threats, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
POSSESSION/DISTRIBUTION OF CDS
State v. Jimenez
Drug fugitive Jimenez, who fled before a jury verdict, returned to the area facing a 15-year sentence and deportation for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Mr. Spagnoli got the jail time reduced to five years.
State v. Fitzgerald
Mr. Fitzgerald faced 20 years in prison for his part in a drug ring, but avoided a federal trial through Mr. Spagnoli's representation and served only a year in jail.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
State v. Ramirez
Mr. Spagnoli represented a college professor who was indicted for first-degree aggravated sexual assault and found not guilty after a jury trial.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/elizabeth_man_found_not_guilty.html
State v. Sosinski
After a Linden Police Officer was found guilty on sex charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison, Mr. Spagnoli got his convictions reversed in the New Jersey Supreme Court.
State v. Batista
Scotch Plains teen testified against four others who took part in a sexual assault on a schoolgirl, and with a plea deal worked by Mr. Spagnoli, his 20-year jail sentence was reduced to 4 years.
State v. Fulinello
A Roselle Park man arrested for sexual assault on a minor was convicted after a jury trial and received a short sentence.
SOLICITING
State v. Muscatello
Former Union County Superior Court Judge pleaded guilty to charges that he paid for sex. He avoided jail and probation and did not lose his monthly pension.
VIOLATION OF PROBATION
State v. Cryan
No additional penalties were imposed on the legislator's son, who could have received more probation after defaulting.
http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/2007/05/assemblymans_son_jailed_for_pr.html
WEAPONS OFFENSES
State v. Rotkiewicz
A man facing 20 years gets probation for killing a pit bull.http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/07/linden_man_says_hed_do_it_agai.html
WHITE COLLAR CRIMES
State v. DiGioacchino
Former Cranford teacher/coach faced 20 years in jail for sending lurid e-mails to an 11-year-old boy, but Mr. Spagnoli resolved the matter with no jail time.
State v. Clay
Mr. Spagnoli received a plea bargain from the State Police Trooper, avoiding jail time for check forgery.
State v. Bello
Her second-degree crime for a $407,000 theft from her employer carried 5-10 years in prison, but through Mr. Spagnoli's efforts, she is eligible for parole in 14-18 months.http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/union_woman_admits_stealing_40.html
State v. Lambert
No prison time for Linden woman who defrauded Prudential Insurance Co. Mr. Spagnoli was able to get her five years' probation.
State v. Cox
The Director of Public Works, who had misused workers, received only fines and community service and avoided a 10-year prison sentence, thanks to Mr. Spagnoli's assistance.
State v. Polo
The sentence of a Cranford man who was charged with fraud and theft was cut in half through Mr. Spagnoli's efforts.
State v. Petrone
A Somerset County Sheriff's Officer received probation for insurance theft, as negotiated in a plea by Mr. Spagnoli.
Noteworthy Cases Quick Links
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Municipal Court Trial Attorney, September 30, 2014
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney from 1982 through 2013
- Former Assistant County Prosecutor
- Former Special Deputy Attorney General
- Former Substitute Municipal Prosecutor
- Former Superior Court Public Defender Per Diem Attorney
- Former Special Designated Superior Court Public Defender Counsel
Joseph W. Spagnoli, Esq.312 North Avenue East, Suite 1Cranford, NJ 07016Office: (908) 497-0031joe@joespagnoli.com