Is Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney in Jersey City Worth It?

If you are facing criminal charges in Jersey City, you must protect yourself. All kinds of criminal offenses in Jersey City carry serious penalties under state law, and the monetary costs alone can be more than what most people can afford. Reaching out to a skilled criminal lawyer near me is the first step. Although this can seem like a costlier approach, it can save you money and time. Hiring a lawyer to represent you can be worth it due to the following reasons:

1. They Can Help You Avoid Mistakes

No matter the exact charge filed against you, you must protect yourself. A lot of mistakes must be avoided, especially after your arrest. For instance, it is a common mistake for arrested individuals to miss their first court date. Doing so can limit your options and result in the issuance of a bench warrant by a judge for your arrest. If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Superior Court, not appearing on your first court date can result in an extra charge. 

2. They Can Determine the Available Defenses

By hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Jersey City, you have a legal expert carefully assessing all possible defenses to identify the right one for you. It’s important to know how to approach your criminal case because different defenses apply in various circumstances. 

From assault to DUI and other criminal offenses, defenses are available to every charge under state law. The prosecutors should prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to get you convicted. Any shortcomings or flaws in their case can make you eligible for a Not-guilty verdict or a pretrial case dismissal. 

3. They Can Assert and Protect Your Constitutional Rights

Defendants and suspects in criminal cases have legal protection. If the prosecutors or police violate your constitutional rights, you can this as a defense, no matter your case’s underlying facts. Your lawyer can protect your constitutional rights and take legal action to assert them if needed. If your constitutional rights are violated, you can request that major evidence be withheld from trial. 

4. They Can Help You Make Informed Decisions

Facing criminal allegations carries serious risks, so you must decide properly how to deal with your case. Often, pleading guilty isn’t the best option, no matter the facts of your case. Below may be your best options:

• Seeking Pre-trial Intervention or PTI

If you are a first-time offender, you may be eligible for the PTI program of the state. This program can get your case diverted from trial. Successful completion of the program can lead to the dismissal of your case. 

• Negotiating a Plea Bargain

By negotiating a plea bargain, you can plead guilty to a lesser criminal offense that does not have many long-term consequences and only carries lesser penalties. 

• Fighting the charges in court

To fight criminal charges in court, you can assert constitutional violations or expose shortcomings in the case of the prosecutors against you. There are other ways to fight your case in court. Sometimes, going to trial is necessary, but you can still get a favorable outcome through pretrial filings. Your attorney can offer the necessary insights to have the confidence you need to decide your legal approach. After you decide, your lawyer can take legal action for you while keeping you informed and updated about your case throughout the process. 

5. They Can Give Your Court Representation

To successfully fight your criminal case in court, you need the best defense attorney by your side. They will make sure that you follow the proper procedure and build substantive legal arguments that withstand scrutiny.