HOW A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CAN PROTECT YOU?
If you have been charged with a crime, a good criminal defense attorney is the only person involved in the case who is advocating for your interests. Police and prosecutors want to see you convicted, while judges and jury members are expected to be impartial fact-finders. Only the attorney you hire has your best interests at heart.
The New Jersey criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices apply these rules and ethics to every aspect of our professional lives. As former prosecutors and public defenders from cities and counties across the state, our attorneys know that most clients come into contact with the NJ criminal justice system at the most difficult points in their lives. We take seriously our obligations and role in guiding them through the justice system and protecting them along the way.
Start your fight for justice with a free consultation from the Law Offices. We’ll listen to your story, assess your case, and explain how we can defend you.
When engaged as your attorneys, our team will seize every opportunity to fight the charges against you. We may seek to have charges dismissed, get you into a diversionary program, secure a favorable plea, or, if necessary, present your case to a jury at trial. We have one of the most experienced criminal defense teams in New Jersey. We will be by your side every step of the way.
Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney? Here’s What They Can Do for You.
New Jersey has a complex criminal justice system. A defendant does not go directly from being charged to being tried. Depending on the charges, there may be multiple hearings regarding pretrial detention or release, pre-arraignment conferences, a first appearance in which the defendant is formally advised of the charges, hearings about eligibility for diversionary programs, and more.
As your attorneys, we will ensure you understand what happens at each step in the criminal justice process, including what is expected of you. In most cases, we will speak for you, ensuring your intentions are properly stated and your rights are protected.
We will investigate the prosecution’s case against you and develop our own evidence in your favor based on consultations with you and interviews with others involved in your case. As we move forward in the criminal process, we will develop a strategy for defending you and resolving your case with the best possible outcome for you.
The Risks of Going to Court Without a Defense Lawyer
You have the right to represent yourself in criminal court, but it’s not a good idea. No matter how innocent you are or how strong your case is, an untrained person can’t expect to understand the complex laws and rules of evidence. Meanwhile, you’ll be up against a prosecutor who’s trained and experienced in winning cases. If you lose, you could go straight to jail and stay there until you finish your sentence or get it overturned on appeal.
An experienced defense lawyer knows exactly what the prosecutor needs to prove to convict you. They can evaluate the case against you and spot weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case from a mile away. We also know about programs in New Jersey that can help you avoid trial altogether.
Let an Attorney Keep You from Standing Trial
A prosecutor with a weak case may offer to let you plead guilty to a lesser charge, a plea bargain. They may even offer to suspend your sentence, meaning it isn’t applied as long as you are not arrested again. Sometimes, a plea bargain is the best outcome available, but it still puts a conviction on your record.
If you are a first-time offender not charged with a violent offense, you may qualify for one of several diversionary programs offered by New Jersey Courts. Your attorney can advocate for you to be directed to one of these diversionary programs. If you qualify for and complete such a program, your record is wiped clean:
- Pre-Trial Intervention: Probation, typically lasting six months to 3 years, is available for those charged with indictable offenses.
- Conditional Dismissal: A 12-month municipal court diversionary program for those charged with certain petty disorderly persons or disorderly persons offenses.
- Deferred Disposition: Probation or up to 12 months for juvenile offenders (under age 18) charged with minor offenses.
- Conditional Discharge: Probation, typically lasting six months to 3 years, is available for those charged with disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons drug charges or drug-related charges.
- Drug Court: A rigorous five-year program of treatment, drug testing, and recovery work meant for defendants ready to overcome alcohol and/or drug dependencies.
- Veterans Diversion Program: Mental health and addiction services available to active duty and retired service members who have been diagnosed with mental illness or who law enforcement, family members, or friends say have exhibited symptoms of mental illness.
Take a Long-term View of Criminal Charges
Most of our clients come to us after making an uncharacteristic mistake. It’s something that is unlikely to happen again. But if they are convicted for this one mistake, it will stay on their record.
A conviction can come back to harm you years later when found in a criminal background check conducted by a prospective employer, loan officer, college admissions official, public housing official, or others.
The best way to keep that from happening is to engage a knowledgeable New Jersey criminal defense attorney. Having a seasoned defense attorney represent you is your best opportunity to avoid a conviction.