Criminal Defense

Experienced and Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyer

Maria D. Noto is a board-certified criminal defense attorney with more than 35 years of legal experience. In 1984, Maria established the Law Firm of Maria D. Noto, P.C., a private practice dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and families. As a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer, Maria concentrates her practice on all areas of criminal defense included but not limited to theft, assault, domestic violence, drug offenses, personal injury, white-collar crimes, traffic violations, DUI/DWIs, juvenile arrests, manslaughter, and murder.

Steered by our core values of integrity, empathetic representation, and taking assertive legal action, we are committed to aggressively representing our clients. We understand that a criminal charge can significantly impact your life, therefore we take every measure to craft a strong defense strategy tailored to your unique situation. Regardless of the complexity of your case, you can count on our team to advocate fiercely on your behalf.

Maria Noto has represented over 1000 clients charged with criminal offenses and has tried over 200 criminal cases with approximately 90% of those cases resulting in not guilty verdicts. This includes 8 homicide trials, in which 7 out of the 8 defendants were found not guilty.

If you need a criminal defense attorney near you, reach out to us today at (732) 441-9546 to start your journey towards justice. You have a right to a fair trial and we stand ready to fight for you.

Federal Criminal Defense Experience

With decades of experience, she has successfully represented individuals in courts throughout a wide range of counties. She has particularly strong experience handling cases in Monmouth County, Middlesex County, Essex County, and Ocean County, among others. Having tried more than 200 cases throughout her career, Maria is widely recognized for her trial abilities and has taught trial skills to many new attorneys. Maria practices both in state and federal court and early on in her career was one of the defense attorneys on U.S. v. Accetturo, the longest criminal trial where, after 21 months, and 89 witnesses and 850 exhibits, the jury found all defendants, including, Danny Ricciardi, Maria’s client, Not Guilty.

Burden and Standard of Proof in Criminal Cases

At our law firm, we passionately believe in the foundational pillar of our legal system – the presumption of innocence. That’s why we stand as unwavering advocates for individuals charged with various criminal offenses.

In criminal cases, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. It is the duty of the prosecution to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime. The phrase ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ suggests that the evidence put forth must be so compelling and unchallenged that there is no reasonable basis upon which a juror could hesitate to declare the defendant guilty. It’s a high bar, intended to safeguard the innocent and we hold the prosecution to this standard, casting doubt on each element of the prosecution’s case through careful analysis, thorough investigation, compelling argumentation, and years of trial experience and also experience resolving cases through favorable plea agreements where the best result will be obtained through a plea agreement instead of a trial.

Ready To Battle the Prosecution for You

Our law firm in New Jersey, is dedicated to providing top quality criminal defense services. We understand the full gravity of the situation when anyone is charged with a criminal offense. From misdemeanors to severe felonies, our firm is prepared to handle the brunt of the prosecution head-on through our commitment towards upholding your rights. We stand firm in our belief in the presumption of innocence and that everyone is entitled to a fair trial and a vigorous defense. Contact our law firm at (732) 441-9546 to explore your legal options.