Monday 21 November 2016

When Facing Criminal Charges Hire A New Jersey Criminal Lawyer

By Donna Murray


Being suspected of a crime and, even worse, being arrested must count among the most terrifying experiences any person can ever contemplate. Nevertheless, thousands of people are arrested each year, most of them supposedly upstanding citizens. In numerous cases it is for common causes such as drinking and driving. The important issue, however, is that anyone that is arrested should get hold of a New Jersey criminal lawyer without delay.

All law enforcement agencies are obliged to observe the rights of any person they arrest or investigate. No accused can be forced to answer questions or to make a formal statement without his attorney being present. It is easy to say something that will prove harmful at a later stage and it is therefore best to insist upon this important right when arrested or when approached by the authorities with a request to answer questions.

As soon as an attorney agrees to take a case he will first make sure that all the regulations have been followed meticulously by the investigating authorities. He will also consult with his client and he will be present when his client makes a statement. The authorities are obliged to provide the attorney with the facts that led to the arrest or investigation and he will study the case against his client very carefully.

If the accused have been arrested, the attorney will do everything possible to have him released on bail. The accused will be told what the conditions of bail are, often a requirement that he reports at a specified police station daily, that he surrenders his passport and that he undertakes not to interfere with the case in any way. He will also have to pay a cash amount that will serve as guarantee that he will be present when the case is heard.

Anyone released on bail need to understand that it is vital to keep to the conditions set by the court. If this is not done the accused can be arrested again and will have to remain in custody until his case is heard. This can take months. Contravening the conditions of bail can also lead to additional charges and the original bail amount will be lost.

Attorneys are in unison when they say that their biggest problem is clients that lie to them. It is vital to be brutally honest with an attorney. He needs all the facts, however embarrassing or incriminating, if he is going to build a feasible defence. The relationship between an attorney and his client is confidential and it would be extremely foolish not to trust the person employed to deal with a problem.

Due to overwhelming case loads that the courts experience attorneys are often able to reach a plea bargain with the prosecutor. The accused plead guilty and a sentence is agreed between the attorney and the prosecutor. The court will then approve this agreement and the entire matter can be finalized without the accused having to appear in open court.

There is no money to be saved by representing oneself in a criminal case. The legal system is extremely complicated and without professional help accused individuals are in great danger of falling foul of the system. The only course of action is to appoint a legal representative that is both qualified and experienced in defending clients accused of criminal offences.




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