Advances in technology have changed the world of criminal defense. Your defense against criminal allegations may be based on digital evidence, surveillance footage, advanced forensic analysis, or some other technological advance if you have been charged with a crime.
The New Jersey criminal lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have decades of experience representing clients accused of crimes and handling criminal cases throughout the state. We understand the stress and uncertainty faced by individuals charged with criminal offenses. We have a strong background in the use of technology and forensics to develop a strong legal defense.
If you have been arrested or indicted in New Jersey, exercise your right to talk to a criminal defense attorney and contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at your first opportunity.
Modern Tools for Criminal Defense Strategies
As we build a criminal defense for you, our legal team will likely be gathering and analyzing various types of evidence, including the following:
- Digital Evidence. So much of the typical criminal case today is based on a trail of digital evidence. Email, text messages, mobile phone data, material on hard drives, timestamps, social media activity, and other digital evidence. Digital evidence often helps us compile a timeline of actions surrounding criminal charges. Our criminal defense attorneys seek to obtain a thorough collection of digital evidence to re-create the digital footprints of the various actors in the case.
- Surveillance Footage. Video footage is more available today than ever before, whether it comes from traffic cameras, CCTV security systems, or personal devices. After collecting any video footage and identifying portions of interest, our investigators use specialized software to enhance and examine the video in closer detail to clarify content or identify reasons to challenge its authenticity.
- Audio Recordings. Audio evidence may be available from 911 calls, voicemail, video cameras, cell phones, and computer files. Various filters can be applied to audio recordings to enhance the material and bring out specific aspects or events.
- AI Software. Artificial intelligence (AI) software is often used in the forensic analyses required of a criminal case but has more recently been a part of applications used to analyze crime scenes, compare fingerprint data and photographs, and even identify case law and legal precedents that may be relevant to a criminal defense.
Data-Driven Criminal Defense Strategies
Our understanding of advanced technology and strategies for navigating the criminal defense process is an advantage of working with the Law Offices of Jonathan Marshall. For example, virtual reality software allows us to recreate crime scenes in the courtroom, which can help us challenge the prosecution’s narrative and offer juries an alternate interpretation of the facts and what happened.
As more courtrooms are properly equipped, we can use a variety of presentation software, electronic document management systems, and other digital tools to present our theory of the case. This helps to make complex scenarios and legal arguments more accessible and understandable for juries.
Predictive Analytics in Pre-Trial Release, Sentencing, and Plea Bargains
The New Jersey criminal justice system uses various risk-assessment tools recently made available to structure decision-making, such as pre-trial release decisions required by bail reform in New Jersey. When considering whether to release a defendant, an assessment tool rates certain variables about the individual charged, such as aspects of their criminal record (previous offenses, violent offenses, failure to appear in court) as well as an individual’s age, employment status, and drug history, to estimate the risk of their failure to appear in court.
Based on the score derived from the risk assessment tool, each defendant is classified as low, moderate, or high risk and may be released under conditions set by a judge.
These same tools may be applied when negotiating a plea bargain or as judges hand down sentences. They provide guidelines, scores, and recommendations to help ensure equitable decision-making by prosecutors, judges, and others.
Balancing Technology with Personal Advocacy
Technology has come a long way, but it hasn’t replaced the need for an experienced criminal defense attorney if you face criminal charges. A criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall will first consult with you about the details of the case and explain your legal options. If our law firm represents you, our legal team will thoroughly examine the charging documents filed against you and aspects of the prosecution’s case. Our legal team will collect additional information by interviewing potential witnesses or others involved in the case.
We will examine the prosecution’s case and determine whether there are flaws in how the prosecution is proceeding. We will look for evidence that can be used to refute charges or have the case dismissed if the police have violated your rights. Our attorneys have the knowledge to prepare advanced strategies for navigating the criminal defense process.
As the use of technology and automation becomes more prevalent in the criminal justice system, you need an advocate who will focus on your best interests. We understand the emotional impact of being charged with a crime and the lasting difficulty a conviction poses for you and your family. Our criminal defense attorneys will explore all your options to seek the most favorable outcome possible.
Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer
At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, we have one of the largest and most experienced criminal defense teams in New Jersey. Our attorneys are former prosecutors and public defenders from cities and counties across the state who know how forensic evidence and the law are applied and misapplied in courts throughout the state.
It is important to engage an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after an arrest. There may be opportunities to challenge your arrest and avoid potentially costly and long-lasting penalties. Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall online or at (856) 565-3635 today for a free initial consultation.
