If you are facing charges in New Jersey’s criminal justice system, hiring an experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself. While you have the right to represent yourself if you choose to do so, there are several important reasons to put an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side.
What to Expect from Your New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent you, knowing what you can (and should) expect will help you make informed decisions throughout your case. With this in mind, here is what to expect when you hire a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A.:
1. Legal Advice that is Custom-Tailored to Your Unique Circumstances
When you hire a criminal defense lawyer at our firm to represent you, you can expect to receive legal advice that is custom-tailored to your unique circumstances. The details of your case matter—in fact, they could be key to your defense. We work closely with our clients to ensure we have all the facts, and then we provide advice focused on helping each client make informed decisions based on the circumstances of their case.
2. A Thorough Case Assessment and Further Investigation if Warranted
Once we have all the facts, we will provide a thorough case assessment. The purposes of this case assessment are twofold: (i) to help you understand the risks you are facing; and (ii) to determine what defenses you have available. While every case is unique, our case assessments commonly take into account factors such as:
- The circumstances surrounding our client’s arrest
- The circumstances surrounding any searches or seizures
- The nature of the charge (or charges) at issue
- The evidence that is (or may be) available
- The likelihood that prosecutors will be able to meet their burden of proof
If warranted, we can also conduct an investigation to gather evidence in support of potential defenses to the charge (or charges) against you. For example, if it appears that the police may have violated your constitutional rights, we can determine what evidence is available to prove it. Or, if you have an alibi or need to rely on self-defense, we can determine what evidence is available to prove these defenses as well.
3. Direct Communication with the Prosecutor’s Office on Your Behalf
As your criminal case progresses, your criminal defense lawyer will communicate directly with the prosecutor’s office on your behalf. This is critical for determining what evidence prosecutors plan to use against you; and, if it is in your best interests to seek a plea bargain, communicating effectively with the prosecutor’s office will be key in this scenario as well.
While it is true that prosecutors are “on the other side,” communicating effectively with the prosecutor’s office can be essential to securing a favorable outcome in many cases. Our lawyers will rely on their experience to help you make informed decisions about how to handle your case, and then they will communicate with the prosecutor’s office on your behalf accordingly.
4. Direct Representation in New Jersey Criminal Court
In addition to communicating directly with the prosecutor’s office on your behalf, your criminal defense lawyer will also provide direct representation in court. During pre-trial proceedings, your lawyer will communicate directly with the judge—whether in writing or on the record in the courtroom. Effectively managing the pre-trial process can be critical to securing a favorable outcome, and mistakes at this stage can lead to negative consequences that could (and should) have been avoided.
5. A Defense Strategy Focused on Avoiding a Criminal Trial
When you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey, the best-case outcome is generally to secure a favorable result without the need to go to trial. With this in mind, if possible, your criminal defense lawyer will work to secure a favorable result before your trial date arrives. Depending on the circumstances of your case, this may involve:
- Helping you enter into a pre-trial diversionary program;
- Negotiating a plea bargain; or,
- Securing pre-trial dismissal of the prosecution’s case.
Even if it is not possible to get the prosecution’s case dismissed entirely, it may be possible to reduce the number of charges you are facing or keep key evidence out of court. These types of defense strategies can reduce the risks of facing trial—though the outcome of trial is inherently uncertain.
6. Representation at Trial if Necessary
If going to trial is in your best interests under the circumstances at hand, your criminal defense lawyer will be prepared to represent you in court when your trial date arrives. Criminal trials are complex—and the stakes can be extremely high—so it is vital to have an experienced trial lawyer on your side.
7. Comprehensive Preservation of Your Rights for Appeal
If going to trial is in your best interests, your criminal defense lawyer will also take the necessary steps to preserve your rights for appeal. In the event of a “Guilty” verdict, filing an appeal could be critical for avoiding unwarranted consequences. While individuals convicted of crimes in New Jersey can appeal on various grounds, they must generally preserve issues for appeal at trial. An experienced trial lawyer will know what is required and will be able to preserve all relevant issues on your behalf.
Schedule an Initial Consultation with an Experienced New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey and have questions about hiring a criminal defense lawyer to represent you, we strongly encourage you to contact us. To speak with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. about your case in confidence as soon as possible, call 877-435-6371 or tell us how we can reach you online now.