Bryak & Associates LLC - East Brunswick, NJ

I wrote this review in June 2020 and posted it on google maps - it was removed and I think all prospective clients have a right to know how this business operates, so I am posting this here for all... I highly recommend AGAINST choosing Bryak & Associates as your representative in any traffic-related case. I was involved in a car accident that resulted in me receiving a careless driving ticket (it was truly an accident, extremely poor weather conditions caused my vehicle to slide through an intersection). This ticket was around $85 and would incur 2 points. I did not mind the fine but certainly did not want the points on my record. I contacted Bryak and from my phone call, he seemed like a decent guy; so I gave him my payment info over phone (he required it immediately). Over the call, he also mentioned that I should attend the hearing in person as it would solidify my case. This was a challenge as the accident happened in NJ while I was visiting friends, but I live in Boston where I go to college. Nonetheless, I would do whatever it takes to make my position better. I promptly provided him with all the necessary details and expected at least one meeting, phone call, or even an email before the hearing just to go over some strategy, but he said it wasn't necessary. I'm not the lawyer here so I thought, alright he probably knows best; however, I thought it was odd that I never received any correspondence from the firm. And so, on the day of the hearing I showed up to the municipal court after a long bus ride from Boston. I was looking for Bryak but was instead greeted by another Associate of the firm. I was instantly shocked, I was under the impression that Bryak would be representing me as he was the only person I communicated with and who I hired to represent me. Additionally, no one at the firm had informed me of this at all; I had to find out when I got there. The associate spoke to me and let me know that he arleady spoke to the prosecutor and presented me with 2 options: 1. Plea bargain for "Unsafe Driving" statute, 39: 97.2 - in order to drop points penalty, but with an increased fine of around $300; or 2. Defer court hearing to another date. I was absolutely furious when presented with these options; I had done extensive studying and research prior to the court hearing and had already known about this "unsafe driving" opt out. I f I had known that hiring this law firm for HUNDREDS of dollar would only bring me this resolution that I learned from a quick google search, then why would I even hire Bryak and this firm in the first place? I asked the associate if I could speak to the prosecutor and he said the prosecutor denied speaking to me. I wanted to fight and argue that this was unfair by deferring the court hearing to a later date; however, since I had to travel a long distance from Boston to NJ, I decided to opt into the plea bargain and accept. I felt like a fool for spending so much money on a law firm for a result that I could have procured on my own with a google search. They did not advocate strongly enough. On top of that, the fine was now $300. Seriously, after the hearing I could not sleep well knowing that I was cheated and poorly represented by this ineffective law firm that convinced me to hire them through sweet talk and a pretty website. This accident and hearing happened in February 2020. I am only writing about this now in June because I get so furious when I think about it. It literally ruins my day. I don't want anyone else to go through the same experience that I had with Bryak & Associates which is why I am writing this extended review. I wish best of luck to anyone seeking to get a resolution for their traffic incidents; however, if you are looking for the help of a law firm then I strongly suggest you find another group and not Bryak & Associates. To Bryak and his firm, I hope you are able to take this review, among other negative reviews, into consideration to improve your business.