Guide To Hiring A New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney

By Cynthia Clark


There are many types of crimes that can be committed by the average person. Some crimes are more serious than others, and the penalties also differ based on the severity of the crime. When you or someone close to you is charged with a crime, it is crucial you hire a New Jersey criminal defense attorney to represent you in court and come up with an effective argument for your case.

A crime can be as simple as driving while intoxicated or as heinous as murder or rape. Whatever the case, a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. Once you are arrested and booked, all your rights must be upheld. Since you may not understand your rights, the first thing you should do when you are arrested is call your lawyer.

When you are arrested, the police are required to inform you why you are being arrested and read you your rights. One of those rights is remaining silent. Another right is having an attorney. In fact, the state is required to provide you with free legal defense if you cannot afford to hire a lawyer. It is important to note that you are not required to answer any questions the police may have.

While you may be inclined to answer questions that have been asked by the police during questioning, you should not. This is because even the most innocent statement can be evidence for the prosecution. The police should first let you call your lawyer before they start questioning you.

Having a competent lawyer by your side is all you need when you are facing criminal charges. This is because they know all the different types of defenses they can use to defend their clients. They can even have a case dismissed from court because of technicalities, such as a defective charge sheet.

In case there is enough irrefutable evidence to prosecute you, there is always the option of taking a plea deal. Your lawyer can approach the prosecutor and reach an agreement to save the state time and resources. By pleading guilty to the charge, or a lesser charge, you can get a minimum sentence or a lesser sentence.

The most important factor to consider when hiring a lawyer to defend you is experience. You want to be represented by a professional who has handled hundreds of similar cases, successfully, in their career. You should also check the number of cases the lawyer won or attained a favorable outcome for their client.

The reputation of a lawyer, rate they charge and caseload are also key factors to consider. You want a lawyer who is respected by peers, charges a competitive fee for their services and has a reasonable caseload. Hiring a respected lawyer will improve your chances of getting a favorable outcome in your case. On the other hand, hiring a lawyer who has a bad reputation can harm your case as the prosecutor may be overzealous and vengeful. For this reason, you should take your time to learn about the reputation of an attorney.




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