Being charged with a crime can be a very challenging and stressful situation. Those that are guilty of a crime can face many penalties including fines, loss of certain privileges, and even imprisonment. Due to this, even if you are completely innocent of the charges, it is important that you have legal support by your side when you are charged with a crime. For those that are in New Jersey and other parts of the country, there are many benefits that come when you have a criminal defense lawyer representing you.
Support During Initial Questioning
When you are charged with a crime, you will always have the right to legal representation. While you can have one that is appointed by the state, you may also want to have your own. Before you speak to any prosecutor or investigator about your crime, you should talk to your lawyer first. Your legal support can sit with you during the initial line of questioning and ensure that you are not taken advantage of and coerced into saying something that is taken out of context.
Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help You Get Bail
If you have been charged with a crime, the prosecutors will be able to hold you overnight in a holding cell. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, you may also have to stay in jail until your court date. This could end up being a long time until you receive a full resolution of your case. When you have an attorney by your side, they can help by negotiating a fair bail for you. They can also help you obtain a bail bond to come up with the money you need to put on deposit until your court date.
Attorneys Understand the Legal System and Process
Most people have a high-level understanding of how the criminal legal system is supposed to work. However, many will find that the process ends up being different from what they would have imagined compared to what they see on television and in the movies. Due to this, it is important that you hire an attorney as they will have a much clearer understanding of how the legal system and process truly works. This can ensure you will receive sound guidance throughout your case.
Criminal Defense Lawyers Will Have Local Relationships
If you decide to hire a local criminal defense lawyer, you will also benefit as they will have relationships with the local prosecutors and law enforcement agents. A local or state legal system can end up feeling like a small professional organization. A criminal defense attorney that is experienced in your area will likely have worked on various cases with the same prosecutors. Due to this, they will likely have the relationships necessary to help expedite your case and negotiate a fair settlement.
They Will Have Seen Cases Like Yours Before
As you are looking to hire a criminal defense attorney, it would never hurt to find one that has experience working on cases such as yours. When you have an attorney that has worked on cases similar to yours, they will have the experience necessary to develop a legal defense strategy that will work in your favor. This will also be familiar with past cases and any statutes that have been established for how judges like to proceed. This can increase your chances of developing a sound strategy that will help you receive a favorable outcome.
Support with Settlement
While you will always have the right to have your case heard in front of a jury of your peers, the majority of criminal cases will never make it that far in court. At first, your attorney will try to build a defense that will have the case thrown out entirely. If that does not work, it is normally advisable that you try and settle to a lesser charge. In these situations, many serious charges and be settled and replaced with minor misdemeanors that will come with small fines, probation, community service, and other small penalties, but will help you avoid prison.
Legal Defense
If your case does go to trial, your attorney can offer support to help build and present your case. They will be able to handle all aspects of your case including calling witnesses, handling back and forth deliberations, and presenting final statements to the jury. Ultimately, this support will help increase your chances of winning your case and being able to avoid penalties that could come with the arrest.
If you are charged with any type of crime, you will want to make sure that you have proper legal support. Your attorney can help to ensure that your case is handled fairly and that you receive proper support throughout the process. This can also help to ensure that you receive the most favorable outcome possible.
