Joseph J. Rodgers
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Northfield, New Jersey
Joseph J. Rodgers, Esquire
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, White Collar Crimes; view more
Licensed in New Jersey since: 1973
Education: Seton Hall University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2006, 2010 - 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.
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PO Box 236Northfield, NJ 08225 Visit website
Joseph J. Rodgers is the principal attorney at the firm Joseph J. Rodgers Chartered, which is headquartered in Northfield, New Jersey. In the legal field for 50 years, he has immense experience working on criminal defense cases, including DUI/DWI, drug crimes, probation violation, sex offenses and gun crimes. He fights for clients accused of wrongdoing and has won substantial settlements on behalf of his clients.
Graduating from the Seton Hall University School of Law, Mr. Rodgers earned his Juris Doctor. He is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is board-certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey since 1982 as a criminal trial attorney.
Mr. Rodgers worked as a Deputy Attorney General for New Jersey's Department of Criminal Justice, an assistant prosecutor for Passaic County, and a first assistant prosecutor for Cape May County before going into private practice. Additionally, he worked as the Avalon and Wildwood Crest Borough Prosecutor.
Enthusiastic in his involvement with the legal community, Mr. Rodgers has memberships in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey, the Supreme Court Committee on the Rules of Evidence, the American Bar Association and the Vincent S. Haneman American Inn of Court. He is also a former Trustee and Legislative Committee chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Mr. Rodgers volunteers much of his time providing pro bono services to those who cannot afford legal representation. He serves as a volunteer public defender at the Superior Court of New Jersey family division, taking on cases related to domestic violence and contempt of court. For his impeccable legal services, he has received a “Very Good” rating on Avvo and is peer-review rated AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell. Clients attest to his dependability as an attorney and his dedication to fight for their freedoms and rights.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Probation, Sex Offenses, Theft, Traffic Violations, White Collar Crime
- 60% Criminal Defense
- 30% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 1973, New Jersey
Professional Webpage: https://www.rodgerscriminallaw.com/about/joseph-j-rodgers/
Bar / Professional Activity
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Supreme Court Committee on the Rules of Evidence
- American Bar Association
- Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey
- Trustee of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
- Chair of the Legislative Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association reviewing legislation proposed by the Association and by the New Jersey Legislature and advocating for legislation to benefit the public.
- New Jersey, 1973
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1981
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1975
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 1973
- Appointed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Chair of the Board on Trial Attorney Certification. The Board proposes and implements regulations governing attorneys who seek certification in their field of expertise. The Board recertifies attorneys every five years after certified attorney establish sufficient involvement in their field of expertise, verify sufficient continuing legal education, meet exacting ethical requirements and receive positive peer review. Before being appointed as Chair, I have served on the Board in the areas of Criminal certification and municipal court practice certification. In these roles, I have worked reviewed applicants' credentials, prepared tests and graded the submissions of attorneys seeking to be certified., 2021
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Certified as a criminal trial attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, 1982
Pro bono / Community Service
- Volunteer attorney for South Jersey Legal Services Private Attorney Involvement Program. I serve as a pro bono attorney helping clients of South Jersey Legal Services clients. I advise clients, prepare the necessary pleadings and navigate the expungement process to eliminate criminal records. The process helps people recover their reputations and move on to successful lives
- Volunteer judge for the Vincent J. Appruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition in Cape May County. The statewide program for high school students who have an interest in the law. Students work as school teams researching a case, preparing themselves as attorneys and witnesses for a mock trial presented to attorneys and judges. Winners compete in the statewide competition each year.
- Superior Court of New Jersey, Family Part, volunteer public defender for domestic violence and contempt of court cases
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Volunteer court-appointed attorney defending clients charged with criminal contempt regarding violations of restraining orders. Past President, Jewish Federation for Atlantic and Cape May Counties Past President, Congregation Beth Israel, Northfield, New Jersey
Educational Background
- Since 1982, Joseph Rodgers has been certified as a criminal trial attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Every five year since then he has been recertified by the New Jersey Supreme Court., 1982
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Honorable Discharge from the United States Army. I served in Vietnam in the First Field Force Artillery. I completed my service in the rank of Sergeant-E-5.
Honors
- I am proud of this award by my peers in the legal profession. I served as a Trustee and Officer of the Cape May County Bar Association and a member of the Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee for Cape May County to the New Jersey State Bar Association., Professional Lawyer of the Year, Cape May County Bar Association and the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law, 2004
- Nominee for this prestigious award for dedication to professionalism in the practice of law., Daniel J. O'Hern Professionalism Award Nominee, Cape May County Bar Association and New Jersey State Bar Association, 2010
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2006, 2010 - 2026
Certificates and credentials
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney
