James A. Abate

Going through the process, no one seems to want to listen to you. They have probably treated you like a number that is being prosecuted by a machine. The last thing you need is to have your attorney take your case and treat you and it as if it is like every other case. My office was founded on the principal that the future can be better than the present and we have the ability to make it so.

You will receive a consultation that focuses on your unique experience, while bringing our training and experience in having handled hundreds of cases. In a world of computers, data bases and gas chromatography, there is still a place for visiting the scene of the arrest and seeing things as you the defendant has seen them. Often getting a hands on view is what triumphs over bureaucracy and exonerates our clients.
After a client finds someone to listen to their side of the story, they want that person to fight for them. My office has the experience to listen to you, to find the crucial issues in your case, and apply our knowledge and experience to advocate for you. I am a member of the National College of DWI Defense and the Association of Criminal Lawyers of New Jersey.

I have been practicing for 20 years, starting my legal career as an intern in the United States Attorneys Office and also for United States District Court Judge David Trager. I then litigated complex matters throughout the United States. After gaining my experience with the government and with large national law firms, I opened the Law offices of James A. Abate, where I have successfully advocated for Criminal and DUI clients since 2008.

A dedicated criminal defense lawyer with offices in Somerville, Piscataway, Cranford and Felmington, James A. Abate and his team forms strong relationships when advocating for his clients. Mr. Abate works with clients on a one-on-one basis and personally sees their cases through to their ultimate resolution.

• Free Consultation
  We engage on a complimentary strategy session on a case by case basis
• Credit Cards Accepted
  Pricing is contingent on the type of charge a client is facing. We are happy to quote each client a cost of defense over the phone.

New Jersey

Since 2002

James A. Abate

The Law Offices of James A. Abate LLC

Current

Brooklyn Law School

J.D. | Law

1996 - 1999

Honors: cum laude Markhoff Scholar Trial Team — 1998 semifinalist Dean's List Achieved awards in Constitutional Law, Legal Writing, Civil Procedure and Trial Advocacy Cornelius T. Wickersham award

City University of New York - Brooklyn College

BFA | Theatre

1986 - 1992

Honors: Departmental Honors in Theatre

Sommerset County Bar Association

Member

Current

Activities: Municipal Court and Criminal Practice Committee

National College of DUI Defense

General Member

2013 - Current

Activities: The National College for DUI Defense®, Inc. (NCDD) is a professional, non-profit corporation dedicated to the improvement of the criminal defense bar, and to the dissemination of information to the public about DUI Defense Law as a specialty area of law practice. The National College is headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama.It consists of a governing Board of Regents, a Founding Membership, a Sustaining Membership and a General Membership. College members represent the most experienced DUI defense attorneys in the country. The original Founding Members funded the establishment of the college, and are among the top DUI practitioners in the United States. Since its founding, the College continues to recognize, as Sustaining Members, defense lawyers who have demonstrated the skill and experience of the original Founding Members, as well as the generosity to financially sustain the growth of the NCDD. General Members are the backbone of the college—capable, experienced attorneys who dedicate a portion of their practice to the defense of DUI cases throughout the country. When the National College for DUI Defense® was founded, the Board of Regents envisioned a Board Certification program as the culmination of its program of education. In 1999, the Board instituted Board Certification as a means of recognizing lawyers within the college who exemplify the program’s standards, and who meet the criteria established by the Board of Regents: extensive experience trying DUI cases and litigating pre-trial issues, a broad knowledge of the science involved in testing for intoxicants, and a command of the legal process on which DUI cases are framed.

Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey

Member

2012 - Current

Union County Bar Association

General Member

2012 - Current

New Jersey State Bar  # 020512001

Member

2002 - Current

Activities: Municipal Court Practice Section Criminal Law Section

DUI Defense

National College For DUI

Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

DUI Defense Certification

DUI Defense Lawyers Association

Q. Is a police report necessary to sue for injury and mental distress for an accident that occurred 1.5 years ago in NJ USA

September 27, 2024

A: The lack of report to a police report will be a weakness. Whether they can overcome that weakness will depend on the remainder of the available evidence.

Q. Municipal Court Appeals in NJ

November 17, 2023

A: An Appeal must be filled within 20 days. I cant tell you whether a PCR motion is even proper in your case. I recommend you proceed with counsel.

Q. Greetings, I filed a restraining order on the father of my child who we have a dv history since 2012 to 17

November 15, 2023

A: I recommend you go through a formal consultation with a lawyer who has experience with Domestic Violence/ TRO cases as well as family law.

James A. Abate, Esq.

Aiello Harris Abate

501 Watchung Avenue

Watchung, NJ

908.210.9755 (main)

james@ahalawgroup.com