Laura C. Sutnick
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Hackensack, New Jersey
Sutnick & Sutnick Attorneys at Law
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI; view more
Licensed in New Jersey since: 1992
Education: Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2026 No aspect of this 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.
Call today:
201-212-4532
Free Consultation Sutnick & Sutnick Attorneys at Law
21 Main StreetSuite 150
Hackensack, NJ 07601 Visit website
Laura C. Sutnick is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney with a demonstrated track record of success. She is a former prosecutor and the founding member of Sutnick and Sutnick, LLC, a boutique criminal defense law firm established in 2002 in Hackensack, New Jersey.
She is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney and has tried many high-profile cases that have received extensive media attention.
A seasoned lawyer, Ms. Sutnick handles a wide range of criminal cases, including those involving domestic violence, drug charges, DWI/DUI, juvenile offenses, sex crimes, violent crimes, shoplifting and theft. Ms. Sutnick represents clients at all levels of the New Jersey Court system, including the Appellate Division and the New Jersey Supreme Court, where she has been a part of and argued precedential cases leading to published opinions.
Laura has also represented clients before the executive branch of the government. In 2015, in a high-stakes prosecution, Laura represented a Marine sergeant who was arrested and charged with a crime. After advocating before the Pardon and Clemency Advisory Board, Laura obtained a rare executive pardon from then Governor Christopher Christie.
Laura is a leader in the legal community and was proud to serve as the 126 President of the Bergen County Bar Association. She has been a member of the Association for over 25 years and served on the Executive Board, as a Trustee, and as Committee Co-Chair of the Criminal Law and Municipal Court Committees. Laura is a frequent lecturer at legal education seminars.
Laura currently serves as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall Law School where she teaches Persuasion and Advocacy. She also volunteers annually at the law school’s Denis F. McLaughlin Advanced Trial Advocacy Workshop. Previously, she taught at Cardozo School of Law’s Intensive Trial Advocacy Program, which was established by renowned trial attorney Barry Scheck, Esq.
In 2023, Laura was invited by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice. On that committee, she worked with statewide leaders including New Jersey’s Attorney General, Public Defender, members of the judiciary and numerous private and law enforcement agencies to assess the progress of Criminal Justice Reform. That committee’s report was published and provided additional guidance to further improve our criminal justice system.
Laura is often interviewed as a legal expert by various media outlets. She has appeared as a frequent legal commentator on Court TV where she offered her specialized insight on legal issues and cases of note. She has also been interviewed by Telemundo Television to provide her legal opinion.
Furthermore, Laura authored a chapter in a legal publication entitled “Litigation Strategies for Internet Pornography Cases” where she shared her insights for defending such highly-specialized matters.
After graduating with honors from Boston University, Laura earned a law degree from Cardozo School of Law. Following law school, Laura began her legal career as an assistant district attorney at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, New York. During her 7-year tenure, Laura tried many serious felony cases, including homicides, sex crimes and armed robberies. She was promoted to senior trial attorney and worked in the Homicide Grand Jury, Investigations and Felony Trial Bureaus.
To Laura, the practice of law is very personal. She recognizes that every client needs an individualized defense based on their own personal circumstances and the specific facts of their case. She is a zealous litigator who understands that honesty with clients and collegiality with colleagues and the Court are hallmarks of effective advocacy.
Ms. Sutnick is proficient in Spanish, allowing her to communicate with a greater number of clients.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWIFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, DUI/DWI, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Parole, Probation, Sex Offenses, Theft, Traffic Violations
- 80% Criminal Defense
- 20% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
First Admitted: 1992, New Jersey
Professional Webpage: https://www.sutnicklaw.com/attorney/laura-c-sutnick/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Supreme Court Joint Committee on Criminal Justice, 2023
- Immediate Past President, Bergen County Bar Association, 2025
- President, Bergen County Bar Association, 2024
- Bergen County Bar Association Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee, 2022 to 2025
- Bergen County Bar Association, Executive Board, 2019-Present
- Bergen County Bar Association, Bench Bar Committee, 2000 - Present
- Bergen County Bar Association, Trustee, 2014 - 2018
- Bergen County Bar Association: Executive Board: President Elect (2023 to present), First Vice President (2022 to 2023), Second Vice President (2021 to 2022), Treasurer (2019 to 2020), Secretary (2018 to 2019); Trustee: 2014 to 2018; Chair, Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee (2022 to present); Co-Chair, Judicial Selection Committee (2018 to 2023); Co-Chair, Criminal Law Committee (2015 to 2022); Co-Chair, Municipal Court Committee (1999 to 2021); Bench Bar Committee;
- Member, New Jersey Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2014- Present
- Member, New Jersey State Bar Association, 2014-Present
- United States District Court, District of New Jersey, 1999
- New York, 1993
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- State v. Camey. Homicide and aggravated sexual assault case. Dismissed after 5 years of hearings and arguments in trial and appellate courts, 2020
- State v. Gonzalez, Client charged with multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault and client pled guilty to one reduced charge., 2020
- State v. B.G, client charged with endangering the welfare of a child for possession of child pornography, and received probation, 2018
- State v. J.S., client charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, client sentenced to probation with a Graves Act waiver, 2018
- State v. Clarence Williams, Client charged with two counts of murder and felony murder, after motions, client pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter and promised 17 years, 2018
- State v. Quadasia Adamson, Client charged with murder, pled guilty to amended aggravated manslaughter charge and received 9 year sentence, 2017
- State v. Ledesma, Client charged with murder, Plea to three counts of aggravated assault, 2017
- State v. Juan Cruz, Verdict after trial, Acquitted of first degree robbery, first degree aggravated sexual assault, second degree aggravated assault and criminal possession of a weapon; Guilty of third degree criminal sexual contact and aggravated assault, first degree kidnapping, 2016
- State v. Hector Colon Pena, Client charged with Robbery 1st degree and Burglary, Case Dismissed, 2016
- NJ v. Rivera, Client charged with attempted murder, negotiated plea to 3 years, 2015
- NJ v. Bowers, client charged with second degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, negotited plea to 3 flat after filing motions, 2015
- NJ v. Grayson, client charged with first degree aggravated sexual assault, negotiated plea to 4th degree criminal sexual contact , 2015
- NJ v. Collick, First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault dismissed by grand jury following investigation, 2015
- NJ v. Acevedo, client charged with attempted murder, negotiated plea to probation and time served, 2015
- NJ v. Mitchell, First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault dismissed by grand jury following investigation, 2014
- NJ v. Gadson, client charged with felony murder, negotiated plea to Robbery 1st degree and a 10 year sentence, 2013
- NJ v. Vasquez, Attempted Murder case prepared for trial; Charges reduced to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and client received 3 flat, 2013
- NJ v. Jones, Attempted Murder indictment, Motion to dismiss indictment granted based on State's failure to present exculpatory evidence in the grand jury, 2013
- NJ v. Rivas Garcia, client charged with murder and case prepared for trial; negotiated plea to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and time served, 2013
- NJ v. McNeil, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; Bench trial, acquittal, 2013
- SD v. LS, Domestic Violence trial; Court dismissed restraining order after trial, 2012
- NJ v. Archer, Client charged with Robbery 1st degree; Charges dismissed after extensive investigation materials turned over to prosecutor, 2011
- NJ v. Morales, Murder Trial; Jury found defendant not guilty, 2010
- NJ v. White, Murder Trial; Jury found defendant not guilty of murder and guilty of 2nd degree manslaughter, 2009
- NJ v. Sparks, Attempted Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Murder Trial, 2006
- NJ v. Douglass, Theft Trial; Jury found defendant not guilty, 2003
- NJ v. Smith, Homicide Trial: Client found not guilty of murder and guilty of aggravated manslaughter; Verdict later reversed on issues raised pre-trial, 2002
Videos
- Juvenile Crimes, 2012
- Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, 2025
- Sutnick & Sutnick, LLC Firm Video, 2025
- Firm Overview, 2010
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Certified by the Supreme Court as a Criminal Trial Attorney (2015 to present) (recertified in 2020), 2022
Pro bono / Community Service
- Mock Trial Coach, Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest; Vincent J. Apruzzese annual competition (2014 to 2021), 2021
- Denis F. McLaughlin Advanced Trial Advocacy Workshop, Seton Hall Law School, 2023 to present, 2025
- Appointed as Guardian Ad Litem in Juvenile Delinquency matter in Superior Court., 2025
- Race Director and Trustee, Haworth 5k Run/Walk (2010 to 2016), 2016
Educational Background
- Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts B.A., Cum Laude, 1989
- Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D., 1992
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Spoke at a seminar on the current important substantive and procedural issues in criminal law, Panelist, A Conversation about the Hot Topics in Criminal Law, Bergen County Bar Association, 2022
- Journey to the Judiciary, Moderator, Bergen County Bar Association, 2023
- Persuasion and Advocacy, adjunct professor 2023 to present, Adjunct Professor, Seton Hall Law School, 2024
- Moderated seminar on the changes in laws and procedures of Landlord-Tenant Court, Special Civil Part., Moderator, Nuts and Bolts of Landlord Tenant Law in the Age of Covid, Bergen County Bar Association, 2022
- I moderated a seminar on the basics of practicing law in municipal court., Moderator, The Basics of Municipal Court Practice, 2021
- Moderated seminar on updates to practicing in municipal courts, Moderator, A View from the Municipal Court Bench, Bergen County Bar Association, 2021
- Moderated seminar on the new ERPO laws, Moderator, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, Bergen County Bar Association, 2020
- Spoke at seminar focusing on how to assist clients who suffer from trauma and mental health issues, Panelist/Speaker, Understanding and Managing Traumatized Clients, Women Lawyers In Bergen, 2019
- Moderated seminar about the legal and procedural issues relevant in municipal court practice, Moderator, Introduction to Municipal Court Practice, Bergen County Bar Association, 2017
- Spoke about the no early release act and when it applies and what it means, Speaker, Sentencing Enhancements: No Early Release Act, New Jersey Association for Justice, 2017
- Sex Crimes: Megan's Law Registration and Parole Supervision for Life, Moderator, Sex Crimes: Megan's Law Registration and Parole Supervision for Life, Bergen County Bar Association, 2016
- Moderated seminar regarding legal and practical issues at NJ's MVC , Moderator, Motor Vehicle Commission Seminar, Bergen County Bar Assocation, 2015
- Moderator at seminar discussing the new conditional dismissal in municipal court, Moderator, The Ins and Outs of the Municipal Court Conditional Dismissal Seminar, Bergen County Bar Association, 2014
- Lectured on strategies for defending child sex abuse cases, Speaker, Criminal Courts Bar Association Of Nassau County, 2013
- Drug Crimes: The Beginning, Middle and End, Bergen County Bar Association, Moderator, 2013
- Chapter Author, Litigation Strategies for Internet Pornography Cases: Leading Lawyers on Understanding How Pornography Crimes Are Committed, Detected, and Defended (Inside the Minds), 2012
- Skills Advisor, Mount Olive Baptist Church Youth Mentoring Program, 2010 - 2012, 2012
- Moderator, Alternatives to Incarceration, Bergen County Bar Association, 2012
- Moderator, The Realities of Megan's Law and Parole Supervision for Life, Bergen County Bar Association, 2011
- Criminal Defense
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Laura Sutnick is one of the premier criminal defense attorney's in northern New Jersey. She has handled many high profile homicide cases, as well as hundreds of serious and complex felonies. She has been a legal commentator on nationally televised programs. Ms. Sutnick is a strong advocate who always fights for the best possible outcome on behalf of her clients. Ms. Sutnick should absolutely be included on the Super Lawyers list.”
“Exceptional trial lawyer and has handled several high profile criminal trials. Exceptional on her feet in court.”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2026
Top Lists
Top 100: New Jersey Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026- Top 50: 2026 Women New Jersey Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2025 Women New Jersey Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2024 Women New Jersey Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2023 Women New Jersey Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2022 Women New Jersey Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2021 Women New Jersey Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2018 Women New Jersey Super Lawyers
Certificates and credentials
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney
