Facing a Criminal Charge? Get a Proven Criminal Defense Attorney on Your Side.
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When Your Freedom and Family Are on the Line, We Fight for You
The Law Office of Kristen Epifania, LLC is a criminal defense and family law firm based in Freehold, NJ, serving clients throughout Monmouth, Middlesex, and surrounding counties.
With nearly a decade of experience, attorney Kristen Epifania understands that behind every case is a person whose life has been turned upside down. Whether you’re facing criminal charges that threaten your freedom or family issues that impact your future, we’re here to provide the aggressive advocacy and compassionate support you need.
Protecting Your Rights, Securing Your Future
Our approach combines strategic legal experience with clear, honest communication. We take the time to understand your unique situation and explain your options in plain terms, so you’re never left wondering where your case stands.
Call today for your free consultation and get the guidance you need to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome for your case.
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Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Experienced Criminal Defense in Freehold, NJ
With years of experience defending clients in both New Jersey and New York courts, we understand how prosecutors build their cases—and how to challenge them effectively to protect your rights.
Assault
From disorderly persons offenses to indictable assault charges, these offenses can trigger mandatory anger management, probation violations, and civil liability. We provide skilled defense strategies tailored to your specific circumstances.
Child Endangerment
Child welfare investigations move quickly and can result in separation from your children without proper legal representation early on. Let us build the strongest possible legal response for your case.
Criminal Contempt
From failure to comply with court orders to willful disobedience of judicial directives, we handle contempt charges with strategic focus. Contempt findings can result in immediate jail time, even for first-time violations. We work to protect your freedom with a strategic defense.
Criminal Mischief
Facing mischief or property damage charges can be challenging, especially when penalties may include fines, a criminal record, or restitution. Our role is to challenge the evidence, protect your rights, and pursue the best outcome.
Detention Hearings
From administrative holds to extended custody proceedings, detention hearings determine whether you'll fight your charges from jail or from home and require prompt legal intervention. We provide swift advocacy to minimize detention time and protect your rights.
Disorderly Conduct
From minor public disturbance citations to more serious breach of peace allegations, you'll have experienced guidance at every step. These seemingly minor charges can appear on background checks for years to come. Our team keeps you prepared throughout the proceedings.
Domestic Violence
Restraining orders and emergency protective measures often happen before you can tell your side of the story to authorities. Early intervention can protect your rights while we build a comprehensive defense strategy.
Drug Charges
From simple possession charges to distribution allegations, drug offenses can trigger fines, jail, and criminal records. Our team carefully examines every aspect of your case to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence and build the strongest possible defense.
DUI/DWI
From first-offense DUI/DWI charges to repeat violations and license suspensions, these cases carry serious consequences, including fines and potential jail time. We provide aggressive defense strategies to protect your driving privileges and minimize the impact on your record.
Eluding
This indictable level offense can have serious collateral consequences. Eluding convictions trigger automatic license suspensions that can affect work and family obligations. We fight to preserve your record, driving privileges, and rights.
Firearm Offenses
From unlawful possession to concealed carry violations, we provide steady guidance and an aggressive defense for your firearm matter. Gun-related charges can freeze gun rights and trigger employment background concerns without early intervention. Let us build a defense tailored for you.
Fraud
From insurance fraud to tax evasion charges, fraud investigations can freeze business assets and personal accounts without warning. We act quickly to protect your financial interests during proceedings.
Harassment
Our firm defends against criminal harassment, cyberstalking, stalking, and more. Harassment convictions can result in restraining orders and mandatory counseling. Protect your future with experienced legal counsel.
Robbery
Our firm defends against robbery and related theft charges with steady, experienced counsel. Robbery convictions often carry mandatory minimum sentences that impact your rights. Let us fight to protect your freedom and future.
Sex Crimes
These sensitive cases require an experienced attorney who understands both the legal complexities and personal impact. We know the delicate nature of these charges and defend you while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Terroristic Threats
A conviction for terroristic threats can result in significant consequences including fines and prison time. We have the experience and skill to build a strong defense tailored to your case.
Theft
If you’re facing shoplifting, identity theft, or related theft charges, our attorneys are here to help. We understand how background checks and criminal records can impact your life, and we work tirelessly to defend your rights.
Violent Crimes
Whether you were charged with homicide, aggravated assault, or related violent crimes, you need a sharp attorney who knows how the prosecution pursues these cases. From arrest through trial, we explore all available defense options.
Weapons Charges
Defaced firearms, gravity knives, and other weapons violations can result in immediate arrest and permanently affect your freedom and right to own firearms. We work aggressively to defend your rights while building a strong case.
White Collar Crimes
Prosecutors pursue white-collar crimes like embezzlement, money laundering, and forgery violations with extensive resources. These charges threaten professional licenses and can result in asset forfeiture before trial. You need an attorney who knows how to fight back.
Other Criminal Charges
Whether you’re facing disorderly persons offenses or indictable offenses, our lead attorney creates tailored defense strategies to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Recent Case Results
Results Matter When Your Future Is At Stake
Kristen Epifania has a strong track record of advocating agressively for her clients and helping them achieve the best possible outcome for their case.
Assault - Dismissed
Location: Middlesex CountyIn this domestic violence matter, the victim alleged that the defendant caused bodily injury by utilizing pepper spray in the victim’s face. Though corroborating evidence including photographs and incriminating statements were presented by the prosecution, a dismissal was secured and the case against our client was expunged from the client’s record.Simple Assault - Dismissed
Location: Union, NJIn this domestic violence matter, the victim alleged that Defendant caused bodily injury by hitting the victim in the neck, torso, and face area, thereby causing bruising and swelling. After an investigation of the facts and negotiation with the municipal prosecutor, the case against our client was dismissed and the matter was expunged from the client’s record.Terroristic Threats - Dismissed
Location: Hudson CountyThe client was charged with Terroristic Threats, a crime of the third degree, after the victim alleged that the defendant sent harassing text messages with a threat to kill the victim. Despite the existence of corroborating text messages, the charge against the client was dismissed and expunged from the client’s record after successful negotiations with the prosecutor.Parole Revocation - Released on Parole
Location: Mercer, NJClient was previously placed on Parole Supervision for Life under Megan’s Law when represented by another attorney. Client’s parole officer alleged six violations and sought to revoke client’s release, wherein a warrant was issued and client was immediately arrested and incarcerated. After two hearings, five violations were dismissed. Ultimately, the Parole Board ruled in favor of the client, and ordered client released from prison and returned to parole supervision.Terroristic Threats - Reduced Charge
Location: Monmouth, NJClient was charged with Third Degree Terroristic Threats and faced up to five years in prison. The client accepted a reduced plea which resulted in all indictable level offenses dismissed. Ultimately, the client pled to the lower-level offense of Disorderly Persons Simple Assault, with no period of probation or incarceration.Armed Robbery - Recovery Court
Location: Monmouth, NJClient faced a first-degree offense for armed robbery after threatening a convenient store clerk with an alleged firearm and demanding money from the register. Charged with a NERA offense, client was exposed to a period of 10 to 20 years in prison and was required to serve 85 percent of the total sentence if convicted. Through negotiations, the client successfully applied and was accepted into Recovery Court on a plea to a reduced third-degree offense. Client did not serve any period of incarceration as part of their sentence.Eluding - Reduced Charge
Location: Monmouth, NJClient was indicted for the second-degree offense of Eluding after allegedly leading officers on a high-speed chase and thereafter fleeing from the vehicle upon crashing. The second-degree charge carried a presumption of incarceration and a maximum prison sentence of ten years. The initial offer was a plea to the top charge and 7 years’ incarceration. After negotiation and challenging the sufficiency of the identification, the prosecutor reduced the plea. The client pled to a reduced fourth-degree offense and was sentenced to three years of probation.Invasion of Privacy - Reduced Charge
Location: Monmouth, NJClient faced a third-degree charge for allegedly filming the victim performing a sexual act without the victim’s consent. Client faced up to five years in prison. Through negotiations with the prosecutor, the third-degree offense was dismissed and client pled to a Petty Disorderly Persons offense of harassment. Though the prosecutor asked for probation, the judge agreed with defense and did not impose the prosecution’s requested sentence. Client walked away without serving any period of incarceration or probation.Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance - Reduced Charge
Location: Monmouth, NJClient was charged with multiple third-degree offenses for Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely heroine. Upon successfully completing an in-patient program, client was able to accept a reduced plea of a lower-level Disorderly Persons offense for Failure to Turn Over CDS. This allowed client to keep his record clear of indictable convictions and to avoid incarceration.Manufacturing/Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance - Recovery Court
Location: Monmouth, NJClient was charged on two separate matters for drug-related offenses. The top charge was a second-degree offense for Manufacturing and Distributing CDS, namely crack cocaine. The prosecutor offered three years of state prison time in exchange for a plea. Defense instead applied client to Recovery Court. Client was accepted into Recovery Court and enrolled into an in-patient program. The client avoided prison time and was thereafter sentenced to probation.Shoplifting - Dismissed
Location: Kings County, NYClient was arrested and charged with misdemeanor shoplifting. Client was stopped by store security upon leaving the premises and found with stolen goods in their possession. Though the items were found in client’s possession and surveillance corroborated the allegations, the client’s case was dismissed and the record was sealed after successful negotiations with the prosecution.Grand Larceny - Reduced Charge
Location: Manhattan, NYClient was charged with felony level Identity Theft and Grand Larceny. The prosecution alleged that client stole $35,000 by impersonating the victim to their respective banking institution. Upon submitting a mitigation packet for consideration by the prosecutor, defense secured a reduced plea to one misdemeanor count and avoided incarceration for the client.Aggravated Harassment - Dismissed
Location: Bronx, NYClient faced two separate cases brought by the same victim, charging client with Aggravated Harassment and Contempt. Client had no prior record and had concerns about losing employment if convicted. After a thorough investigation, defense provided evidence to the prosecutor regarding the victim’s lack of credibility. Through months of negotiation, both cases were dismissed and the client’s record was preserved.
About The Attorney
Attorney Kristen Epifania
With nearly a decade of experience in criminal defense and family law, Kristen N. Epifania has built her reputation as a skilled and compassionate advocate for clients throughout New Jersey. Shaped by years of dedicated defense work in both the public and private sectors, her long-standing commitment to defense and strong advocacy gives her a strategic edge against adversaries. Whether navigating misdemeanor charges, complex felonies, divorce, or custody disputes, Kristen brings proven trial experience and a steady, client-centered approach to every case.
Kristen has been consistently recognized by her peers and the legal community as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in both New York and New Jersey, as well as a Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers. Licensed in multiple jurisdictions, she provides experienced representation while remaining committed to transparency, preparation, and results.