Criminal Defense Lawyers in New Jersey
New Jersey is home to a Stanley Cup winning hockey team as well as two NFL teams that have combined for numerous Super Bowl titles. It is also the birthplace of Frank Sinatra as well as home to more than 600 diners that serve some of the best tomato pies you’ve ever had. However, just because the state is a great place to call home doesn’t mean that you won’t get in trouble for not following the rules.
State Criminal Cases Our Firm May Help With
As a general rule, our firm will help with any type of criminal case that our clients bring to us. For example, if you are charged with assault or battery, we may be able to create a defense against the charge that may allow you to avoid jail time or other penalties. If you are charged with drunk driving, sexual assault, or stealing a television from a retail store, we will likely be able to create defenses against those charges as well. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the charges our firm may help protect you against.
Larceny
Larceny occurs when you take items from their rightful owner with the intent to permanently deprive him or her of them. In some cases, you could be charged with larceny even if you had permission to borrow an item or otherwise make use of it for a short period of time. Examples of larceny include taking money from a friend or walking out of a store with merchandise that you haven’t paid for.
Burglary
Burglary is slightly different than robbery or larceny as you don’t actually have to take anything to be convicted of the charge. Instead, it simply needs to be shown that you entered a dwelling with the intent to commit a criminal offense. It’s also worth noting that you can be charged with burglary regardless of how you got into a home, car, or other structure.
Murder or Other Violent Crimes
Taking the life of another person may result in life in prison if convicted. It’s possible to be charged with this crime even if you didn’t pull the trigger or otherwise take actions that directly led to a loss of life. For instance, if you were committing a felony offense that ended with someone losing their life, that may be enough for a prosecutor to obtain a conviction. Domestic violence, assault, and armed robbery are other offenses that are typically classified as violent crimes.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney
Local Counsel
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Linda Julin McNamara
Former Chief, DOJ Appeals
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Kevin M. Sheridan
Former Special Agent (FBI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Dennis A. Wichern
Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)
The Potential Benefits of Hiring an Attorney
Ideally, you’ll hire a New Jersey criminal defense attorney the moment that you think you could be charged with a crime. Doing so enables you to learn more about your rights and the tricks that authorities may use to get you to disregard them during an investigation.
It’s important to know that you have the right to remain silent at all times during the legal process. This means that you don’t have to answer questions after being taken into custody or testify at a trial. You are also not required to take any other steps that might help the government obtain a conviction.
Your attorney will be there with you during an interrogation to minimize the risk that you say anything that could undermine your legal position. Your attorney may also gather documents, interview witnesses, or take other steps to create reasonable doubt in your case.
Legal counsel may also move to get your case dismissed before trial or ask a judge to allow your release on bail. Securing your release may make it easier to mount a zealous defense because you won’t be tempted to take a plea deal simply so that you can go home.
Finally, The Criminal Defense Firm is staffed by attorneys who have spent time as federal prosecutors or as members of agencies such as the IRS and OIG. Therefore, they generally have a solid understanding of what the government is thinking when they target someone for investigation or press charges. Ultimately, their knowledge may enable our defense lawyers to create defense strategies that you may not have thought of or had the ability to execute properly.
What to Know About Bail
After you have been taken into custody, you may be given an opportunity to post bail in order to leave jail while your case is pending. It’s important to understand that you could still be found guilty of the charges against you, which means that you would return to jail or prison upon conviction. It’s also important to understand that defying the terms and conditions of your bail may also mean that you return to state custody while your case plays out, and will not be refunded the amount that you posted to secure your pre-trial release.
How Much Will You Pay?
The amount that you’ll pay to secure your release depends on the severity of the crime you’re accused of committing and your criminal history. If you are deemed to be a flight risk, the amount will likely be higher than if you can show that you have ties to the community and will show up to all of your court appearances.
Conditions of Bail
There are several conditions that you may need to adhere to while out on bail. First, you have to promise to show up to all scheduled court hearings if asked to do so. Next, you may have to wear an electronic monitoring device or otherwise promise to stay within a certain area. Finally, you may be subject to drug and alcohol testing, a curfew, or a ban on using phones, computers, or other electronic devices.
Why Bailing Out Is Helpful
Securing your release while your case is pending means that you can be there for your elderly parents, children, or pets. It also means that you can run your business or take care of other matters while your case is pending. In addition, life in jail can be extremely stressful, which can have an impact on your mental and physical health. Finally, staying out of jail means staying away from other inmates who want nothing more than to gain information about your case that they can pass along to prosecutors in exchange for favorable treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who represents me during the legal process?
You will be represented by the senior attorney who is assigned to your case. Unlike other law firms, we do not pass your case off to a junior associate or to a paralegal. This means that you can feel good about the level of service that you’ll receive as your case unfolds. Typically, an attorney is assigned to your case during or just after the initial consultation.
What happens during the initial consultation?
The initial consultation is a chance for you to tell your story and for us to determine how or whether we can help meet your needs. Typically, the initial conversation lasts for about 15 to 30 minutes. After the conversation is over, we will likely send a written contract proposal that you can review, sign, and return at your convenience. However, you are under no obligation to retain our services until the required paperwork is signed and returned to us.
What does it mean when I'm charged with a crime?
If you are charged with a crime, it simply means that the state believes that there is probable cause to believe that you broke the law. However, it does not mean that you have done anything wrong or that you will necessarily go to jail or face any other penalties. To obtain a conviction, a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime that you’ve been charged with. It’s possible that the charge will be dropped before trial if there is insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.
How will you defend against a criminal charge?
There are several strategies that may be used to defend against a criminal charge. For instance, it may be worthwhile to assert that you never intended to violate the law or that you were coerced into doing so. It may also be possible to assert that you were the victim of an illegal search or seizure. In such a scenario, any evidence obtained from that improper search or seizure should be deemed inadmissible. Other defenses may be available depending on the facts of your case and other relevant factors.
What happens if I accept a plea deal?
If you choose to accept a plea deal, you are pleading guilty to the charges included in that agreement. It’s fairly common for prosecutors to drop charges or seek reduced sentences in exchange for a guilty plea. However, there is no guarantee that the judge will abide by sentencing guidelines or requests by the prosecution. Furthermore, if you have previous convictions on your record, a plea deal may trigger a mandatory minimum sentence regardless of what you’re actually pleading guilty to in your current criminal case.
Contact The Criminal Defense Firm Today
You can contact The Criminal Defense Firm by calling the nationwide intake number at 866-603-4540 or by contacting us online. It is also possible to start a live chat through our website during normal business hours.