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Sterling J. Santamaria, Esq.

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Sterling J. Santamaria, Esq.

Sterling J. Santamaria, Esq. YOUR RIGHTS MATTER! NJ & NY Attorney

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02/03/2025

Throughout my life, I had always felt like I was not a typical man. Growing up, I could never fully fit in with the boys. In fact, my friend group often had mostly girls in it. There were signs that I either ignored or didn’t realize were signs.

Eventually, by the time I hit 30, things started to make sense. I could no longer ignore the signs. I could no longer ignore myself. So, I finally made the decision to begin my transition.

For years, I’ve been living stealthily, but no more. I cannot take the hiding anymore. And now that my country’s government is hellbent on erasing people like me from existence, I feel now is the time to make myself visible.

I am done hiding. We are not anomalies. God doesn’t shun us, contrary to what so many “Christians” say. We exist. It can be your neighbor. It can be your brother. It can be your uncle. It can even be your lawyer.

For those of you who will see this and be disgusted/disappointed, trying to cast judgment on me or promote any other hateful or ignorant rhetoric, do us both a favor and just unfollow me.

09/06/2024

My client was in a desperate situation. He had lost his job and was about to be homeless again. Seeing no other option, he robbed a bodega and used the money from the robbery to pay his rent. The prosecutor wanted to put him away for more than 20 years.

Then, I came in.

From the beginning, I spent countless hours going over all the evidence from the prosecutor. I found so many holes in the case that there was no way I was going to let my client take this lying down!

Today, I got him to walk away with just 5 years, with almost 1 year credited for time already served. What made all this possible, besides my efforts? He used his right to counsel and hired the best representation he could find, and the best he could afford!

Once again, RIGHTS MATTER! He made his count.

06/14/2024

What a great week this has been, with two very happy clients!

The first guy was facing felony charges that could have gotten him deported. Not only was the case dismissed, but I got the judge to seal the complaint as well!

The second guy was fighting some major demons when he was arrested. He stopped reporting to his probation officer over 20 years ago. In his own words: had he stayed in NJ, he wouldn’t be alive today. After I showed how much he has turned his life around and what a model citizen he is now, the judge didn’t hesitate to just give him a pass and let him continue on his righteous path!

These two guys had one thing in common: they exercised their right to counsel and got the best they could find!

RIGHTS MATTER

05/03/2024

Sometimes, it’s about patience and playing the long game. And boy, did we win big! Let’s end this week in the way it started: with the best news!

One client was facing deportation after some of his employees, wanting to oust him, accused him of forcibly fondling them. The case looked open and shut—a slam dunk for the prosecutor. After months and months of putting in the work and challenging everything I could, our client walked away with just pleading to ordinances for disturbing the peace!

My other client got caught trying to sneak drugs into a plane so she could sell them overseas. She was looking at 15 years in prison. She walked away with just probation for a year!

If you want to your investment to pay off in the long term, you have to hire me! It’s your right! And rights matter!

02/07/2024

No probable cause found! Charges were dismissed on the first appearance!

Most lawyers forget to address the crucial step in a criminal case where a judge still has be satisfied that there is reason to believe that (1) a crime was committed, and (2) the client did it. Today, I asserted my client’s RIGHT to challenge that determination and got the case dismissed on the very first appearance. There were hugs all around!

Reach out if you’re looking for a lawyer who’s willing to even throw in the kitchen sink for you!

Once again, remember: rights matter!

02/05/2024

Another successful morning! The immigration court dismissed my client’s deportation case after 10 years of this case hanging over him!

The court, and the government, agreed that my client was not a priority for immigration enforcement and decided to close out his case. He risked losing his green card and being sent back to his home country over a misunderstanding. Now, after exercising his right to have counsel represent him, he has a chance to apply for his citizenship and not have to worry about being deported afterwards!

Give me a call if you or a loved one is in danger of losing immigration status! Remember: rights matter!

01/27/2024

Imagine the following: two different police departments are investigating you for a crime. Both departments then charge you for the same crime. You plead out in one of the cases, but the other department wants to keep prosecuting you.

But THEY CAN’T. Under the Constitution, no person can be tried twice for the same offense. It’s called double jeopardy. New York and New Jersey have similar laws prohibiting more than one prosecution for the same thing. I got a judge today to agree with me on that point and to dismiss my client’s case.

So, if you’re in a similar situation, make sure to argue that! And if that doesn’t work, reach out to me!

Remember: rights matter!

01/15/2024

I admit I didn’t see this quote until a tried to find some inspirational quote from Dr. King so that I could post it today in honor of MLK Day. However, this quote truly speaks to me as a lawyer.

When I take on a case, I go in understanding that I am the last line of defense between a person being unjustly tried and the devastating consequences that can ensue. Consequences like the breakup of a family and years lost to prison because of an overzealous cop or prosecutor.

That is why I am never silent when one of my clients is being treated unfairly. And I will not start now!

Rights matter. Respect matters. Compassion matters. Fairness matters. When I start seeing the system disregard these things just for the sake of getting you or your friend or relative convicted, you can be sure that I will be there to speak up!

01/12/2024

I’ve been meaning to talk about this subject for some time.

I’ve seen firsthand how judges and prosecutors unfairly push through shoplifting prosecutions, justifying it with this nonexistent “shoplifting epidemic” that is spiraling out of control. There is very little regard for whether the person was actually stealing or was just walking around the store and mindlessly happened to put in his bag an item that he WAS intending to buy. There is almost zero regard for how these things can upend lives and livelihoods over a simple misunderstanding.

So, how do you protect yourself when shopping?

First, understand that loss prevention officers, or mall cops are not actual cops—or at least are not cops on duty. The duties and obligations of on-duty cops don’t apply when they detain you. They don’t have to read you any rights because you’re not actually arrested. It’s outside of their authority. However, anything you say, even if it’s trying to explain yourself, can and WILL be used against you!

Second, if they do detain you, REMAIN CALM and KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! They will relay anything you tell them to the cops once they arrive. And they will twist your words so that it sounds like you confessed to the shoplifting. Only give them basic information such as your name, date of birth, and home address.

Third, once the cops do arrive, CONTINUE KEEPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT except to give basic information about yourself.

Finally, fourth, once you are released and given your court date, reach out to me IMMEDIATELY. Time is of the essence when it comes to these things. The more time passes, the hazier people’s memories get. You do not want to have to deal with a police officer who later only has his SEVERELY BIASED arrest report to look at when testifying.

11/01/2023

What a fitting way to start November: with a belated birthday present from the immigration judge!

My client made a mistake a few decades ago and spent the last 15 years fighting deportation back to his country in which he hasn’t lived in more than half a century. After some research and new legal arguments, an immigration judge finally agreed to end the proceedings against him. Now he gets te retire knowing that he won’t have to leave behind everything he has built in this country!

Reach out if you or a loved one are fighting to stay in America!

09/20/2023

This image is a perfect example of how standard field sobriety tests (SFSTs) are designed in such a way as to set you up for failure and get you arrested for DWI. But get this: YOU DON’T HAVE TO AGREE TO THEM!

In New Jersey, there is no law that says you have to undergo these tests. In fact, it is in your best interests not to perform them because all they do is provide more evidence for the police use against you at your DWI trial!

So, the next time you get pulled over and the officer starts asking you to exit your car and follow his pencil, tell them politely and firmly that you will not perform any sobriety tests. If they still arrest you on suspicion of driving drunk, make sure to reach out to me!

08/31/2023

What is the worst that can happen if you’re a Christian spreading the gospel? Well, in China, the police can beat you senseless for “promoting an evil cult!”

That is what happened to my client from today’s hearing! He was handing out flyers spreading the Gospel when three cops savagely beat him. He was so hurt that he had to crawl back home, but his faith didn’t let him be discouraged!

After recovering, he was out on the streets again, continuing to spread the word, but then the police found him again. He was able to escape this time, but he had to hide out for months while the police routinely would ransack his house while looking for him. Eventually, he made it to America.

Today, after so much hard work and preparation, the judge saved him from ever having to return to China by granting his asylum application!

If you or a loved one are being persecuted for your faith, give us a call right away!

08/29/2023

Another successful day in the immigration department! Today was a doubleheader!

My client in the morning found God and was afraid that she would be jailed and tortured if forced to return to her native China. After all, the police had already ransacked her home and beaten her mother even when she was already in the US! Today, the judge agreed that her fear was real and granted her asylum application!

Then, a client who was detained by immigration authorities for overstaying his visa was finally allowed to return home to his now-wife after over a month in detention! His mother was so happy that she began praying for me.

Shoot me a message if you or a loved one are in similar circumstances!

08/14/2023

Imagine being beaten and locked up for days in a disgustingly grimy jail cell—without food or medical attention—simply because of your religion!

That is what happened to my client. He found God after going through some personal tribulations. Since he was attending a private prayer group and not a state-sanctioned church, the authorities beat him, locked him up, and pressured him to renounce his beliefs. After he was able to escape to America, he sought asylum and resumed his church attendance. His favorite verse was John 3:16.

Today, God rewarded his faith when I, along with the rest of the immigration team at , were able to get his case approved by the immigration judge!

Reach out if you or a loved one are running from similar circumstances!

08/08/2023

It’s the little things.

The guy who I got out without bail on Friday night had no way to get home. So, I gave him my MetroCard, which only had one last trip left in it.

Today, he came to retain my firm for the rest of his case. The first thing he did when I brought him inside was hand me a brand new MetroCard although I insisted that it was not necessary.

Sometimes, this job is alright ❤️

08/01/2023

Reporting back to home base after getting another dismissal!

My client was facing SERIOUS time in prison after an argument with her partner led to injuries. The firm and I pushed and pushed until the case first got downgraded to a lower court. Then, because the prosecutor wasn’t ready to proceed, the judge said, “Enough is enough” and dismissed the charges.

Reach out if you want a someone who’s not scared to go for the kill when the prosecutor gets caught flatfooted!

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Newark, NJ

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Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
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Friday	10am - 5pm

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+19084900909

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Videos

The Depp v. Heard trial perfectly illustrates what can happen when your lawyer doesn’t prepare for a case. So far, these lawyers have looked like they are performing Amateur Night at The Apollo and I can guarantee the jury has caught on to it as well. Preparation, preparation, preparation is the name of the game when you’re a trial lawyer. That is why I’ve managed to beat opposing lawyers who have been practicing for longer that I have been alive. So, if you’re facing a legal problem and need a lawyer who will put in the hours preparing the best possible case for you, reach out to me!