New Jersey Criminal Lawyer
You need a New Jersey criminal lawyer not just when you are under arrest, but also when you are under investigation, being questioned or being put through any kind of criminal process.
There are some minor legal matters that may be resolved without the need for a New Jersey criminal lawyer. In most cases, however, a New Jersey criminal lawyer can help you get a grasp of your new, terrifying circumstances and develop a strategy to deal with these. Your lawyer can help you understand the charges that you are facing and the possible consequences of a conviction. On your own, you may be forced to make crucial decisions, and a single misstep or the wrong words could mean more serious charges being leveled against you. A criminal lawyer can help you avoid this.
Your attorney will also advise you about the repercussions of entering a guilty plea. Too many times, persons charged with certain crimes agree to plead guilty in return for a lower sentence without stopping to think about the adverse effects that a guilty plea will have on the rest of their lives. For instance, an admission of guilt, no matter what the circumstances, could impact your future employment prospects or personal life. Your attorney will prevent you from making decisions that harm your future.
In some cases, pleading to reduced charges are in your best interest. Your lawyer can help negotiate a deal with prosecutors. These deals are also known as “plea bargains,” and they can help lower your sentence or drop some of the charges brought against you. In other cases, you may want to take your case to trial. One of our firm’s experienced, former assistant prosecutors can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the state's case and advise you of your options.
Your attorney can also help you when it comes to sentencing for your crime. For instance, a one-year sentence in jail for drug crimes can be reduced to six months in jail and six months in a drug treatment facility.
In New Jersey, there are two types of charges: crimes and disorderly persons offenses. These are roughly equivalent to what other jurisdictions may call felonies and misdemeanors. An experienced New Jersey criminal lawyer may be able to get crimes reduced to disorderly persons offenses, so you face lower penalties.
Even if you’re not sure you need a lawyer, it’s always best to consult with an experienced New Jersey Criminal Lawyer who can advise you of your legal options.
