Being arrested and facing criminal charges in Pleasantville, NJ, can be the scariest experience of your life. Going through New Jersey’s criminal justice system can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you have never been charged with a crime before. However, you don’t have to go through this difficult moment alone.
First, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Even if you must call from the police station in handcuffs, you should do so. Your attorney can help you understand your rights while in custody and advise you on how to answer police questions.
To get a free, confidential case assessment from our criminal defense lawyers, call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych today at (609) 616-4956.
What to Do If You Were Charged with a Crime in Pleasantville, NJ
A criminal conviction in NJ can lead to serious consequences, including jail or prison time and hefty fines. In addition to these crippling penalties, you may also face the social stigma and the residual consequences your conviction can have on your life. Your relationships with family and friends may be affected, and it may be difficult to find employment, apply to college, apply for a loan, or secure housing due to your criminal record.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer
It is essential to act quickly if you have been arrested and charged with a criminal offense in Pleasantville, NJ. With our New Jersey criminal defense lawyer’s assistance, you can fight aggressively to defend your rights and preserve your freedom.
Our legal team understands that navigating New Jersey’s complex criminal justice system can be overwhelming. We understand the process and can help you defend your rights every step of the way. No matter how small your criminal charges may seem, it is essential to get our experienced attorneys’ assistance.
Know Your Rights
You must understand your rights when you are arrested and know how to protect yourself from law enforcement. First, the police should inform you of your Miranda rights. These include your right to remain silent and your right to have a lawyer present during questioning by the police.
Invoke these rights loudly and clearly. Remember, the police cannot use your silence against you, and the less information you give them, the better.
Build Your Defense
When you invoke your right to have a lawyer present, your attorney may come to the police station and advise you on how to answer questions from the police. They may review the situation with you privately and help you answer questions. They might instead advise you not to answer any questions. At this point, they may begin building your defense and preventing you from accidentally incriminating yourself.
Types of Cases Our Pleasantville Criminal Attorneys Represent
Criminal law encompasses a wide range of criminal cases. Over our many years of experience, we have worked with countless criminal cases in New Jersey, including Pleasantville. Some of the most common types of criminal cases we work on at our law offices include:
Assault
There are two main types of assault in New Jersey: simple and aggravated assault. Each of these offenses can carry different criminal consequences. These criminal charges apply when a person intentionally causes harm or attempts to cause harm to another. Moreover, assault can also include situations where a person did not intend to cause harm but injured another individual due to negligence or carelessness. When analyzing assault cases, it is essential to look at factors such as the defendant’s alleged intent, whether they actually assaulted another person, and whether there was a deadly weapon involved in the alleged act.
A criminal conviction for assault can lead to jail or prison time and hefty criminal fines. However, our Pleasantville, NJ criminal defense attorneys can help you defend your rights and fight against your charges.
Casino Crimes
New Jersey is home to one of the most recognizable gambling areas on the East Coast: Atlantic City. This county hosts many casinos where people play and have a good time. However, not everything is fun and games in casinos. Over the years, we have handled many cases involving theft, bad checks, and fraud.
Additionally, we have handled cases involving assault, sexual assault, and pulling fire alarms – among other crimes. It is essential to have skilled legal representation by your side if you are charged with a casino crime in New Jersey.
DUI
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious matter. Being arrested and charged with DUI can lead to severe, life-altering consequences. However, there are ways to defend yourself against your alleged DUI offense.
Our criminal defense attorneys can help you challenge the legality of your stop, challenge the administration and results of your breathalyzer test, and take your case to trial if needed. We will fight aggressively to defend and uphold your rights at all times. Call our law offices and schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Juvenile Crimes
Juveniles and minors are not exempted from following the law. Sadly, every year, thousands of juveniles face criminal charges in Pleasantville, NJ. We cannot stress enough the importance of hiring competent, skilled legal counsel if your son or daughter has had a run-in with the law. They have a whole life ahead of them, and a criminal conviction can significantly impact their development, careers, and future. Our Pleasantville criminal defense attorneys can handle juvenile cases and help defend them against a life-altering criminal conviction.
Criminal Defense Strategies You Should Consider with an Attorney
There is no single best defense in a criminal case. The best possible defense will be unique to your case, and your attorney may need to extensively review the facts and evidence before determining the best course of action.
Plea Agreements
In some cases, it is not realistic to aim for an acquittal. The evidence against you might be too great. In that case, we may negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors to help you avoid the harshest penalties. Prosecutors may agree to reduce your charges and penalties in exchange for a guilty plea. Put another way, instead of taking your charges to trial where you are likely to lose, you can plead guilty to lesser charges and serve a more lenient sentence.
Suppressing Illegal Evidence
The authorities are not perfect, and they often make mistakes, sometimes at the expense of criminal defendants. A common mistake is when police officers seize evidence from the defendant’s private property without a valid warrant or a valid exception to the warrant requirement.
When evidence is seized illegally, it must not be used against the defendant. Your attorney may focus on identifying evidence seized by the police in violation of your rights and keeping it out of the trial. This may be a good strategy if the police conducted a warrantless search of your property.
Presenting Counter Evidence
We may also have our own evidence that contradicts the evidence presented by the prosecutor. While we do not have to present any evidence if we do not want to, we still can, and it may help us raise reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors. Remember, all we need is reasonable doubt to avoid a conviction.
Why Hire Our Pleasantville, NJ Criminal Defense Attorneys?
Under our Constitution, you have the right to retain the services of a skilled, competent criminal defense attorney if you face criminal charges. Under our criminal justice system, you may have the chance to retain a public defender to take over your case. While the services provided by a public defender are free, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will get the best results on your case. Most of the time, these professionals are overworked and underpaid, limiting the way they can approach your case.
Our Pleasantville criminal defense attorneys can dedicate all of our efforts and resources to ensure you get the quality legal representation you deserve. We will fight aggressively and strategically to make sure your rights are protected at all times.
FAQs About Criminal Cases in Pleasantville, NJ
When Should I Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Help?
You should call a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you realize you may be facing criminal charges. This could be shortly after you are arrested, and you can call a lawyer from the police station. However, you should call before you are arrested if you believe you are being investigated.
What Should I Say to the Police After Being Arrested?
After being arrested, you should say as little as possible to the police, at least until your lawyer comes to help you. You are generally required to answer questions about your identity during the booking process. However, if the police try to question you about the alleged crime, you have the right to remain silent. Avoid answering these questions until your lawyer is there to advise you.
Will I Go to Jail if I am Arrested?
Not necessarily. Some people are arrested but never formally charged with a crime. Others may be charged, but the charges are later dropped or dismissed for various reasons. Still, even if you are charged and have a full trial, you could beat the charges and be found not guilty.
Will I Be Criminally Charged if I am Arrested?
Not necessarily. The police may have sufficient probable cause to arrest you, but that does not mean there is enough evidence to warrant criminal charges. Additionally, the police do not get to decide whether a suspect is criminally charged. Only prosecutors may decide to formally charge someone with a crime.
How Do I Get Bail in Collingswood, NJ?
Bail is determined shortly after you are arrested. Rather than a formal bail hearing, courts in New Jersey will decide whether to release a defendant on their own recognizance – meaning they do not have to pay anything and there are no restrictions – or to detain them as a flight risk or because they pose a danger to the community. In serious cases, prosecutors may seek a detention hearing.
How Do I Know What Prosecutors Will Say During a Criminal Trial?
There are no surprises in the courtroom. Prosecutors must provide us with all relevant evidence during the discovery phase of the case. This allows us to see exactly what evidence they have, enabling us to build the strongest possible case. However, we may not know their legal strategy, but we may infer certain strategies based on the evidence.
What Should I Do to Fight Criminal Charges?
How we fight criminal charges will vary based on your specific situation and the facts and evidence in your case. We might focus on suppressing illegal evidence or highlighting weak evidence in the prosecutor’s case, depending on the circumstances. The best defense strategy will be tailored to your specific situation.
What is a Plea Deal and Should I Accept One?
A plea deal, also called a plea agreement or plea bargain, is an agreement we can negotiate with the prosecutor. Essentially, the prosecutor may offer to reduce your charges in exchange for a guilty plea. This may be worth considering if the evidence against you is overwhelming and you are unlikely to prevail at trial.
How Long Do Criminal Trials Last?
Criminal trials often take a few days to a few weeks to complete, depending on the facts, evidence, and charges. However, it might be a few months before your trial, as we must first navigate numerous pretrial hearings and conferences.
What Happens if I am Convicted of Criminal Charges?
If you are convicted, we must first go through the sentencing phase, where the judge will determine a sentence based on appropriate sentencing guidelines. After that, we can file an appeal, raising specific legal errors we believe unfairly influenced the outcome of your trial. If the appellate court agrees with us, you may be granted a new trial.
Pleasantville, NJ Criminal Defense Attorneys Offering Free Consultations
Call our Pleasantville and Atlantic City criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych today at (609) 616-4956.
