Why wait and see is not a good position to take in criminal defense cases
When you have been charged with a crime, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights. No matter whether you are facing misdemeanor charges or serious felony allegations, there can be serious consequences if convicted that will have a negative impact on your life. Speaking with a criminal defense lawyer in your area as soon as you have been charged can mean the difference between getting your case dismissed and getting convicted of a serious offense and facing those consequences.
If you or a loved one have just been arrested or indicted in New Jersey, call us now, day or night, including on weekends. Things happen quickly after an initial arrest. Our attorneys can step in to protect your rights from the very beginning. Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at any of our nine locations across New Jersey as soon as possible for a free initial consultation. You can contact us online or call 855-450-8301.
How A New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
Some people want to wait after they have been charged with a crime to see if things will resolve on their own before contacting a criminal lawyer for help. This is a mistake. There are many advantages to talking to a criminal defense attorney near you as soon as possible after you’ve been charged. Some of these advantages include:
Protecting Your Rights – Prosecutors and law enforcement don’t care about your rights, they care about resolving their case. Criminal defense lawyers stand by your side, making sure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process. From the moment you’re charged with a crime a case is being built against you, without the guidance of a lawyer, you may inadvertently say or do things that could hurt your defense and compromise your rights. A skilled criminal defense attorney knows the law, our lawyers here at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are former N.J. prosecutors and public defenders with a combined 200+ years of experienced. We can advise you on how to speak to law enforcement and prosecutors, making sure that your rights are respected right from the very beginning, and that you don’t make a statement early on that cannot be undone.
Explaining the Charges – Some people don’t even fully understand what they are being charged with or the consequences these charges might have on their life. It is extremely important to understand what you are coming up against so that you make informed decisions about your case. Bringing in a criminal defense lawyer right from the beginning can make sure to get a full picture of the charges against you, the potential penalties you could face if convicted, and what the prosecutors need to find you guilty. This will allow you to be better equipped to make decisions about how to proceed with your defense.
Crafting a Strong Defense – Your defense strategy will be critical to achieving the desired outcome you want in your case, chiefly dismissal. An experienced criminal defense lawyer in your area will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest, gather evidence that could help clear your name, interview witnesses, and look for any legal issues or procedural errors that could benefit your case. When it comes to gathering evidence or speaking with witnesses, the sooner you can start this the better. Waiting to hire a criminal lawyer to see if you will need one can be detrimental to your defense strategy.
Lead You Through the Legal Process – Even for minor charges, the criminal process can be complex and confusing. Prosecutors and other law agencies will expect you to be able to navigate the legal process and will not accept ignorance of procedures and processes as an acceptable excuse if a deadline is missed or the incorrect paperwork is submitted, if you are trying to defend yourself without the help of a defense attorney. By hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you will get expert guidance from your arraignment and pre-trial motions to any trial proceedings.
Protect Your Future – A criminal conviction could range anywhere from community service and a fine to significant jail time and loss of your professional license or job. These consequences can be severe and long-lasting, leaving you with a permanent criminal record to contend with as you move forward. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer right away is the best step you can take to minimize the potential impact your charges could have on your life. We have argued thousands of cases before judges and juries in courtrooms throughout New Jersey and are ready to fight for the best outcome, perhaps even a dismissal, in your case, helping to protect your future.
What Are The Consequences if You Wait To Hire A New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer?
One of the main reasons people wait to hire a criminal defense lawyer after they have been charged with a crime is the cost. People are concerned about shelling out money, but when it comes down to it, the cost spent for the peace of mind that you are doing all you can to protect your rights and your future is well worth it. There are many times when ‘saving money’ by not hiring a criminal lawyer actually ends up costing individuals exponentially more in fines or loss of employment. Not only can the cost be a factor if you neglect to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after you are charged, there are several other significant consequences that could occur, including:
- Missed deadlines related to your case for things like filing motions, or responding to recovery requests
- Losing out on collecting critical evidence by waiting to speak with witnesses or collecting footage
- Hurting your chances of dismissal by making statements or doing things without legal advice
- Reduced time to craft a strong defense strategy
- Lack of peace of mind that you are doing all you can to avoid possible conviction
If you’ve been charged with a crime in New Jersey, you need someone in your corner right from the start, contact our team of experienced criminal defense lawyers near you to set up your free case evaluation.
Contact A New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney Near You
It’s understandable to feel a sense of panic when you’ve been arrested and accused of a crime. But an arrest doesn’t mean the prosecution has a strong case. With more than 200 years of legal experience defending NJ charges, our team will seize every opportunity to fight the charges against you so that the case is dismissed, a favorable plea is secured or, if that is not possible, convince a jury at trial that you should be acquitted. It may be a long road, but we will be by your side every step of the way. The best way to build a strong case is to retain our services as soon as possible. Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at any of our nine locations across New Jersey as soon as possible for a free initial consultation. You can contact us online or call 855-450-8301.