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P eter O'Mara performed his undergraduate studies at Villanova University, receiving degrees in Political Science and Sociology upon graduation in May of 1989. Following graduation from Villanova, Mr. O'Mara entered the Dickinson School of Law, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in May 1992. While attending the Dickinson School of Law, Mr. O'Mara was President of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, and Senior Representative to the Student Bar Association. During the summer of 1991, Mr. O'Mara completed the International Law Program conducted at the University of Vienna School of Law, Vienna, Austria, and the Strasbourg School of Law, Strasbourg, France.
D uring his formal legal training, Mr. O'Mara completed internships at the Staten Island District Attorney's Office, In Staten Island, New York as well as the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he was Certified by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to prosecute criminal matters while a third-year law student. Mr. O'Mara also clerked for the Law Firm of Lee, File & Amtzis, Staten Island, New York; as well as Hall & Hall, in Staten Island, New York.
F rom 1992 to 1993, Mr. O'Mara worked for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, Freehold, New Jersey, where he handled Appellate and Municipal Court Appeals, Criminal Motions and Bench Trials. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. O'Mara was Trial Attorney for the Law Firm of Francis X. Moore, Red Bank, New Jersey, handling Superior and Municipal Court Criminal cases, Motions and Appeals.
I n 1995, The Law Office of Peter M. O'Mara was opened in Red Bank, New Jersey. Since 1995, Mr. O’Mara has directed his own practice, which has remained solely dedicated to the trial and resolution of Criminal Superior and Municipal Court Offenses.
I n 1995 Mr. O'Mara completed advanced studies in DWI defense trial advocacy conducted at Harvard Law School by the National College for DUI Defense. Mr. O’Mara was inducted as a Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense .
I n September, 1997, Mr. O'Mara presented testimony before the New Jersey State Senate Subcommittee on Driving While Intoxicated Laws. This testimony included the current status of DWI laws, Court Rules, and the shortcomings of the use of the Breathalyzer in DWI prosecutions .
I n 1997, Mr. O'Mara was nominated for the New Jersey State Bar Association's "Young Lawyer of the Year" award.
M r. O'Mara has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Monmouth County Bar Association in 1996, 1997, 1998, and from 2000 through 2003.
I n 1995, Mr. O'Mara was appointed as Legal Defense Committee Chairman for the Surfer's Environmental Alliance, serving as Director of a pro bono litigation team promoting New Jersey beach access, environmental health, and ocean safety.
M r. O'Mara has been the Interscholastic Mock Trial Team Coach for Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) from November, 1995 to Present.
I n 2004, Mr. O’Mara merged his practice with the long-established firm, Shebell & Shebell, in Ocean Township, New Jersey. Mr. O’Mara was a partner, and director of the Criminal and Municipal Court Practice Section, where he continued his focus is on the defense of those accused of DWI , Criminal , and Narcotics Offenses .
I n 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, the New Jersey Monthly Magazine named Mr. O’Mara one of New Jersey’s Super Lawyers. Mr. O’Mara was thereby recognized as one of the top DWI and Criminal Defense Practitioners in the state of New Jersey.
I n 2005, Mr. O’Mara was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to the Monmouth County District Ethics Committee.
I n 2006, Mr. O’Mara returned to solo practice, opening the O’Mara Law Firm in Little Silver, New Jersey. This firm continues to specialize in the defense of those accused of Criminal , DWI , and Narcotics Offenses .
Legal Organizations:
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Monmouth Bar Association
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New Jersey State Bar Association
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American Trial Lawyers Association
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New Jersey Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
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National College for D.U.I. Defense
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New Jersey State Bar Association-Criminal Law Section
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American Inns of Court Foundation
Mr. O'Mara has presented the following Seminars:
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“Defending Alcotest 7110 DWI Cases” November 2005, New Jersey Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
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“Defending DWI Cases in New Jersey” Lorman Education Services, August 2005, Parsippany, New Jersey. Full day seminar for attorneys regarding handling DWI cases.
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"Junk Science-Challenging the use of Breathalyzer and Blood Tests at Trial" New Jersey Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Seminar. January 2001.
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“Junk Science and Handling Expert Testimony in Criminal Cases” New Jersey Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, East Brunswick, New Jersey, October 2000
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"Strategies in Handling New Jersey DWl Cases" Lorman Education Services, January
1999, January and April, 2000, January 2001, July 2005, Full day seminar for attorneys regarding handling DWl cases.
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"Defending DWl", New Jersey Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Seminar- February 1996, February 1997
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Brookdale Community College, Law-Related Education Conference, "Driving While Intoxicated Laws", 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
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Monmouth Bar Association, Court Night, May 1996. "Driving While Intoxicated"
Significant Trial and Appellate Counsel Events
Mr. O'Mara was Trial and Appellate Counsel in the following precedent-setting, published legal opinions:
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State v. Califano - suppression granted by the Appellate Division, and the case against the defendant dismissed on the grounds of a constitutional violation committed by the arresting officers during their search for narcotics.
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State v. Jorn - defense challenged the manner in which breathalyzer test results were reported by police officers.
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State v. Oliveri - defendant challenged the admissibility of a blood test results in a DWl proceeding.
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Louise Murray v. Board of Elections - On behalf of his client, Louise Murray, Mr. O'Mara successfully overturned the City Council Election in Asbury Park, 1996.
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Sperlinq v. Teplitzkv - A domestic violence assault case which helped define jurisdictional issues regarding the filing of Domestic Violence Assault complaints
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State v. Schmidt - The famous "Surfer Trial", a well-publicized matter in which Mr. O’Mara defended three surfers in a several day trial as well as through multiple appeals. This case is credited with helping to shape and define New Jersey police policy regarding their dominion over the ocean and the enforcement of coastal-related laws.
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State v. Duffy - Defendant was found Not Guilty of DWI at trial, and thereafter also found Not Guilty of Refusal by the Appellate Division. The decision pursuant to which Mr. Duffy was found Not Guilty of Refusal to Submit to a breath test set the procedure which police are still required to follow when processing DWI suspects.
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