When you are accused of committing a crime in New Jersey, you have the right to legal representation in your criminal case. But what if you can’t afford to hire a New Jersey defense attorney?
Even if you think that hiring an attorney is out of reach, you have options available, and you should carefully consider all of your options before deciding how to approach your defense. Hiring a lawyer isn’t as expensive as many people think, and if you can’t afford to pay for your lawyer’s services all at once, you might be able to pay over time.
Understanding the Costs of Not Hiring an Attorney
Before we discuss your options for hiring an attorney when you have concerns about cost, it is important to understand the costs of not hiring an attorney to represent you.
If you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey, you are facing steep penalties. While the specific penalties you are facing depend on your criminal history, the severity of the allegations against you and a variety of other factors, the risks involved with facing criminal charges in New Jersey generally include:
- Fines – The fines for indictable offenses in New Jersey can range from $10,000 (for fourth-degree indictable offenses) to $200,000 (for first-degree indictable offenses).
- Costs and Surcharges – Along with fines, criminal convictions in New Jersey can also lead to costs and surcharges that can add up to thousands of dollars.
- Incarceration – Potential prison sentences can range from up to 18 months (for fourth-degree indictable offenses) to life behind bars (for certain first-degree indictable offenses).
Many crimes carry additional penalties as well. These can range from loss of your driver’s license to sex offender registration. Additionally, regardless of the specific charge (or charges) you are facing, a criminal conviction can also lead to:
- Employment-Related Consequences – A criminal conviction can lead to termination of your employment, and having a conviction on your record can severely limit your employment opportunities in the future. If you are a licensed professional, a conviction could also lead to the loss of your license.
- Family-Related Consequences – In many cases, criminal convictions can have family-related consequences as well. These include consequences related to child custody, among others.
- Other Adverse Consequences – From academic suspensions and expulsions to immigration-related consequences, criminal convictions can have a variety of other adverse consequences as well. If you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey, it is imperative that you are aware of all of the consequences that are on the table.
As you can see, criminal convictions can be extremely costly, and they can negatively impact your life for years to come. If hiring a lawyer allows you to avoid the costs and other consequences of a conviction—or even allows you to avoid some of these costs and consequences—doing so will be well worth it.
Hiring a New Jersey Defense Attorney to Represent You
Now, what are your options for hiring a New Jersey defense attorney if you have cost-related concerns? Here are three key considerations:
1. Different Law Firms Charge Different Rates
First, it is important to keep in mind that different law firms charge different rates. While hiring a big-city law firm to handle your criminal case might be cost-prohibitive, choosing a law firm with local offices in New Jersey will be much more affordable. Instead of making assumptions about what you can or can’t afford, you should contact a local law firm to see how much its legal representation will actually cost you.
2. Some (But Not All) Law Firms Offer Payment Plans
Additionally, some law firms offer payment plans. For example, at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., we offer our clients the option of paying their legal bills over time. Even if you can’t afford to pay for your legal representation all at once, a payment plan could be very affordable. We are passionate about ensuring that criminal defendants have access to justice, and this is why we offer payment plans that allow individuals from all walks of life to be able to afford our services.
3. You Have Options When it Comes to Your Defense
Another important factor to keep in mind is that you have options when it comes to your defense. While taking your case to trial might be expensive, you might also be able to secure a plea bargain (or an alternate pre-trial resolution) that minimizes the cost of your legal representation. Even if you can’t avoid a conviction entirely, hiring a New Jersey defense attorney to negotiate a favorable plea bargain could still significantly reduce the lifetime costs of your arrest.
What if You Truly Cannot Afford an Attorney?
So, those are some of your options for making your legal representation more affordable. But what if you truly cannot afford to hire an attorney?
If you don’t have any options for paying for your legal representation, you may be entitled to representation by the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD). As the NJOPD explains:
“Every individual accused of committing a criminal (‘indictable’) offense in adult court or any offense in juvenile court has a constitutional right to be defended by a lawyer.”
As the NJOPD also explains, “[w]hile clients do receive and are expected to pay bills for many of the services of the NJOPD, clients are fully represented whether or not they can afford to pay.” The NJOPD will assess your ability to pay and decide how much (if any amount) to charge you. If you are interested in hiring a public defender, you can apply with the NJOPD online.
Request an Appointment with a New Jersey Defense Attorney Today
If you would like to know more about our legal fees or payment plans for criminal cases in New Jersey, we invite you to get in touch. We are more than happy to help you make an informed decision about your legal representation. To request an appointment with a New Jersey defense attorney at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., please call 877-435-6371 or inquire online today.
