Criminal Lawyers

In Cherry Hill, NJ and Serving All of NJ

Same-Day Appointments Available 

Personal, Empathetic Approach 

Step-by-Step Communication

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Strategic Criminal Defense For Your Legal Challenges

Facing criminal charges can be daunting, and having a dedicated attorney can significantly impact your case outcome. Located in Cherry Hill and serving all of New Jersey, The Law Offices of Charlene Cathcart have provided strategic criminal defense representation since 1989, guiding clients through the legal system during challenging times. Our full-service law firm combines over three decades of legal knowledge with personalized attention, ensuring your case receives thorough analysis and strong defense. Attorney Cathcart holds a Juris Doctor from Widener University and maintains memberships in the Camden County Bar Association and New Jersey State Bar Association, bringing valuable credentials and local court knowledge to your defense strategy.

Our criminal defense practice stands out because we balance respect and compassion with strong advocacy for each client. We recognize the stress that comes with criminal charges, which is why we work closely with you throughout every phase of the legal process. We provide custom pricing based on your specific case details rather than using standardized packages. From DUI charges to traffic violations, juvenile offenses, or domestic violence matters, we defend your rights and pursue favorable outcomes. To schedule a same-day consultation and find out how our 37 years of legal experience can support your case, please contact us. We are here to represent you when you need it most.

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Charlene Cathcart

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Why Choose Us

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Same-Day Appointments Available

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Personal, Empathetic Approach

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Step-by-Step Communication

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Licensed Since 1989

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Widener University – Juris Doctor May, 1989

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Camden County Bar Association and New Jersey State Bar Association

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Why Choose The Law Offices of Charlene Cathcart 

The Law Offices of Charlene Cathcart is an extremely active civil and criminal litigation practice with primary emphasis on plaintiff’s personal injury, criminal defense, and municipal court. We also perform voluntary pro bono work for South Jersey Legal Services, Inc.

A black, twelve-pointed badge icon featuring a white checkmark in the center, representing verification or success.

Same-Day Appointments Available

A white checkmark centered inside a black, twelve-pointed star badge.

Personal, Empathetic Approach

A black, twelve-pointed starburst badge containing a white checkmark.

Step-by-Step Communication

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Licensed Since 1989

A black, twelve-pointed starburst icon containing a white checkmark, representing verification or success.

Widener University – Juris Doctor May, 1989

A black, twelve-pointed star-shaped badge with a white checkmark in the center.

Camden County Bar Association and New Jersey State Bar Association

The Law Offices of Charlene Cathcart

Why Choose The Law Offices of Charlene Cathcart 

The Law Offices of Charlene Cathcart is an extremely active civil and criminal litigation practice with primary emphasis on plaintiff’s personal injury, criminal defense, and municipal court. We also perform voluntary pro bono work for South Jersey Legal Services, Inc.

A white checkmark centered inside a black, twelve-pointed star badge.

Same-Day Appointments Available

A white checkmark centered inside a black, twelve-pointed star badge.

Personal, Empathetic Approach

A black, twelve-pointed starburst badge containing a white checkmark.

Step-by-Step Communication

A black badge with twelve points containing a white checkmark symbol.

Licensed Since 1989

A black, twelve-pointed starburst icon containing a white checkmark, representing verification or success.

Widener University – Juris Doctor May, 1989

A black, twelve-pointed star-shaped badge with a white checkmark in the center.

Camden County Bar Association and New Jersey State Bar Association

The Law Offices of Charlene Cathcart
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Criminal Defense

Criminal defense representation focuses on protecting your rights and guiding you through the legal process when you're facing criminal charges. An experienced defense attorney can evaluate the details of your case, explain your options, and advocate on your behalf at every stage. With clear communication and strategic counsel from our criminal lawyers in Cherry Hill, NJ, you can approach your situation with greater confidence and understanding.

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DUI Defense

New Jersey DUI charges bring serious penalties including license suspension, substantial fines, and possible jail time. Our defense approach includes examining breathalyzer accuracy, reviewing police procedures, and assessing whether your constitutional rights were respected during traffic stops. Our criminal lawyers in Cherry Hill, NJ analyze every case detail from initial police contact through testing methods, finding opportunities to challenge evidence and protect your driving privileges.

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Traffic Violations Law

Traffic violations that seem minor can lead to license points, higher insurance rates, and potential suspensions with multiple offenses. We defend clients facing various traffic matters from speeding tickets to reckless driving charges. Our goal is to reduce impacts on your driving record and finances by negotiating for lesser charges or alternative solutions.

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Juvenile cases need careful handling as they can affect educational opportunities and future prospects. Our defense combines understanding of both legal requirements and youth development. Our criminal lawyers in Cherry Hill, NJ focus on protecting your child's future through diversionary programs, record expungement options, and rehabilitation rather than punishment when possible.

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Domestic violence claims and restraining orders create immediate and lasting effects for everyone involved. Our criminal lawyers in Cherry Hill, NJ offer compassionate yet thorough representation in these emotional situations. Our process includes evaluating evidence, assessing witness testimony, and preparing strategically for restraining order hearings.

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At The Law Offices of Charlene Cathcart, we take pride in providing exceptional legal service to our clients. We would be grateful if you could share your thoughts about our firm with others. Your feedback helps us improve and helps others make informed decisions. Please take a moment to leave a review of The Law Offices of Charlene Cathcart and let others know what you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What happens if I am facing multiple charges at the same time?

    When you are facing multiple charges simultaneously, the complexity of your legal situation multiplies exponentially, as prosecutors often attempt to leverage concurrent counts to secure a much harsher overall penalty. The state may try to paint a pattern of behavior or use the sheer volume of allegations to pressure you into a disadvantageous plea agreement. Our firm approaches these multi-count situations by methodically isolating and analyzing each individual charge for procedural errors, constitutional violations, or insufficient evidentiary support.


    As experienced criminal lawyers in Cherry Hill, NJ, we focus on dismantling the prosecution's case piece by piece, assessing the distinct legal elements required for each accusation. We aggressively challenge how the evidence was gathered, looking for any instance where law enforcement may have overreached or deviated from standard protocols. By building a comprehensive defense that addresses every aspect of your case, we work tirelessly to get individual charges dropped, dismissed, or significantly reduced. Our ultimate goal is to minimize the cumulative impact of these allegations on your life, your freedom, and your future.

  • How does municipal court differ from state court for traffic and minor offenses?

    Municipal courts in New Jersey handle localized matters such as traffic tickets, driving under the influence, minor drug possession, and disorderly persons offenses. While these offenses are classified differently from high-level felonies, it is a dangerous mistake to treat them lightly, as they still carry severe, life-altering consequences. A conviction in a local court can result in thousands of dollars in steep fines, a lengthy suspension of your driving privileges, skyrocketing insurance premiums, and even meaningful jail time.


    Our role as criminal lawyers in Cherry Hill, NJ is to navigate these unique local court systems effectively on your behalf, ensuring your rights are fully protected. We understand the specific rules, timelines, and procedural nuances that govern municipal courts across the region. 

  • Why is an individualized pricing model used instead of flat-rate packages?

    We believe that no two legal defense strategies should ever look exactly alike because every single client's circumstances, criminal history, and evidentiary details are completely unique. Standardized, one-size-fits-all legal packages often force clients to pay for services they do not actually need, or conversely, they fail to provide the deep, focused investigation that a highly complex case demands. 


    By utilizing a custom pricing model, our criminal lawyers in Cherry Hill, NJ can scale our defense efforts precisely to the exact, nuanced demands of your specific situation. We sit down with you to review the specific allegations, the volume of discovery, and the potential paths forward, providing transparent financial terms that reflect a customized legal strategy designed explicitly to protect your future.

  • What should parents expect if their child is facing a juvenile charge?

    The juvenile justice system is fundamentally structured around rehabilitation, education, and guidance rather than the purely punitive measures seen in the adult criminal court system. A juvenile adjudication is not something to take lightly, as it can still severely derail a young person's educational opportunities, affect college admissions, restrict financial aid, and damage future employment prospects.


    Our criminal lawyers in Cherry Hill, NJ work closely with parents and guardians to navigate this sensitive system, serving as strong advocates for your child's rights and long-term well-being. We understand how to interact with juvenile intake officers, prosecutors, and judges to steer these cases away from formal court hearings whenever possible. We aggressively pursue formal and informal diversionary programs, community-based solutions, deferred dispositions, and robust record expungement options. Our focus is on keeping your child's record as clean as possible, allowing them to learn from their mistakes without sacrificing their long-term potential.