Jorge E. Morales

Former Prosecutor, Veteran, Turned Domestic Violence and Restraining Order Attorney in NJ

Jorge E. Morales has a long-standing legal career in the criminal justice system, beginning his journey as a judicial law clerk, progressing to become an Assistant County Prosecutor, later assuming the position of Senior Assistant Prosecutor running the homicide unit, and ultimately stepping to the other side of the legal aisle, where he turned all of his prosecutorial experience into an asset for the clients he defends.

Jorge is a former prosecutor in both Hudson County (15 years) and Passaic County (6 years) where he prosecuted a multitude of domestic violence related crimes including aggravated assault, terroristic threats, stalking, and even attempted murder and homicide. He handled bail hearings (detention motions), motions to suppress evidence, bench trials and jury trials during his 21 years as a New Jersey prosecutor. He has also prosecuted defendants for violations of a restraining order (contempt of court).

Since retiring from the prosecutor’s office in 2022, Jorge has handled a multitude of domestic violence related cases including Superior Court felony matters such as aggravated assault, municipal court criminal matters such as simple assault, violation of a restraining order (contempt), and restraining order trials before a Superior Court Judge (representing both plaintiffs and defendants) in courts throughout Northern New Jersey including Morris County, Bergen County, Essex County, and Union County.

His expansive experience as prosecutor includes handling the investigation and prosecution of civil forfeiture actions in the Forfeiture Unit, which focuses on property seized in connection with criminal prosecutions, such as drug distribution proceeds, vehicles used in the transportation of illegal weapons or controlled dangerous substances, computers containing illicit pornographic material involving children, facilities involved in the production of drugs, or sites used for the purposes of unlawful gambling activities. This background becomes particularly valuable when defending clients who are at risk of weapons forfeiture due to domestic violence, restraining orders, or sexual assault protection orders.

Given his superior performance and experience, Jorge was promoted to become a Trial Team Supervisor who led agents, detectives, assistant prosecutors, and other staff in managing and handling the most serious felony cases in the Prosecutor’s Office, including murder and crimes with extended and mandatory minimum sentences.

Before turning his attention to the practice of criminal defense, Jorge worked in the Homicide Unit, ultimately heading up this unit as the Senior Assistant Prosecutor In-Charge. He spent these years as the leader of the team responsible for prosecuting every homicide case that occurred in Passaic County. Given his impressive scope of work, it is not a surprise that Jorge has also been called upon to teach new assistant prosecutors, assistant deputy attorney generals, and fellow attorneys in topics ranging from trial advocacy to criminal prosecution.

Combining his New Jersey criminal investigation, prosecution, and trial experience with a distinguished military career, Mr. Morales boasts a unique blend of legal competency as a civilian and military lawyer. Among his many achievements in military service are several deployments, as well as positions as an attorney for the Army’s Judge Advocate Corps, as the Chief of Military Justice at the Joint Task Force in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; as Trial Defense Counsel at Fort Carson in Colorado;  as Chief of Operational Law and Trial Counsel, and as a defense attorney representing service members charged with criminal and administrative offenses in violation of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). He spent his last deployment as a Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Djibouti, East Africa, where he led a team of military attorneys and staff.

Having practiced law for over 20 years and served his country for more than 30, Mr. Morales has unparalleled experience in the realm of criminal investigation, prosecution, and trial litigation in both the Superior Courts of New Jersey and the Military Courts of the United States. His unwavering passion for defending the Constitution, his fellow Americans, and his clients, whose lives are on the line when facing serious criminal charges, makes his life and career a true testament to his admirable character, his achievements, and his formidable role as a criminal defense lawyer ready to take on every challenge confronted by those he represents.

Mr. Morales is also bilingual, representing both English and Spanish-speaking clients in criminal cases. Representando a clientes de habla hispana en todos los aspectos de asuntos penales en Nueva Jersey.

Bar Admissions

• New Jersey
• New York