Like something out of a movie, investigators armed with newly available DNA evidence cracked a cold case over the summer, nabbing a murder suspect who has been living in Canada for more than two decades and extraditing him to New Jersey just before Thanksgiving.

Here, Robert A. Creter is facing not only charges for a 1997 murder in Bridgewater, Somerset County, but also charges related to 16 prior offenses from the '90s, including sexual assault, resisting arrest, weapons charges, theft, and terroristic threats.

It's no surprise that the penalties Creter will face, if found guilty, will be severe, given the nature of the allegations. Criminal homicide alone, being a first-degree offense under New Jersey law, could very well mean a life prison sentence. According to New Jersey law, a defendant will be found guilty of criminal homicide if they purposely, knowingly, or recklessly cause the death of another person.

Those facing violent crime charges, such as murder, domestic violence, assault, robbery, manslaughter, and murder in New Jersey, should know that there's been a trend toward longer sentences, and minimum required sentences, in New Jersey since the 1980s.

The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is highly skilled at representing suspects facing serious charges, including those involving violent offenses. We have experience navigating the court system, and the increasingly harsh sentences and other penalties courts may impose in the interest of public safety. Anyone facing these types of charges is strongly advised to retain the Lento Law Firm. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or fill out our consultation form now.

The Need for a Strong, Smart Criminal Defense

The defendant in the cracked cold case, Robert A. Creator, will remain in custody pending his trial. He will next appear in court in Somerset County on January 17 to face the next steps in his legal ordeal. The victim in this case, Tamara (Tammy) Tignor, who was 23 at the time of her murder, was found strangled on a dirt road in Bridgewater Township. The graphic nature of this crime and the media attention it has garnered will be important elements to consider and prepare for in his defense.

Confronting complex, violent criminal cases and their highly consequential potential outcomes isn't something defendants should navigate without a strong legal defense team – one with significant experience in defending allegations of violent crime.

Our criminal defense attorneys will help you understand the legal process, our customized approach to your case, the long-term consequences of a conviction or plea deal, and options for appeal. We'll partner with you to create a comprehensive defense strategy, whether that involves self-defense, mental illness, consent, entrapment, lack of intent, mistaken identity, or another pertinent defense. We'll guide you through arraignment, sentencing, and appeals.

The Lento Law Firm understands the importance of creating a defense strategy that is customized to the details associated with your case and based on a thorough understanding of New Jersey laws. And we'll be on the lookout for any procedural errors that may have taken place that would invalidate or lessen the charges against you.

Criminal Defense Attorney for Clients in New Jersey

Criminal courts are no place for self-representation or inexperienced criminal defense attorneys, and a conviction can cause devastating consequences. Those who have been charged with a violent crime should consult with us promptly so that we are there advising you in the preliminary phases of your case. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation at 888-535-3686.