Criminal Law Firm in Little Egg Harbor Township
A criminal charge can be confusing and distressing. Your actions after the fact might have an impact on the outcome of your case, so it is important to know what to do if you are arrested or charged with a crime.
- Knowing your legal rights is an important first step. If a police officer requests permission to search your body, your vehicle, or your residence, you are not obligated to consent. A police officer may have a legal right to carry out a search without your consent, for example when he has a search warrant or another legal grounds, but if an officer requests permission to search your vehicle or house, you may decline.
- Do not argue with or resist a law enforcement officer if he insists on conducting a search.
- Remember to tell your lawyer about the circumstances involving a search.
- You are not required to answer any questions after being arrested or charged with a crime. Do not give a statement or talk to anyone without your lawyer present. You should be advised of your rights if you are arrested or detained. Make sure to tell your lawyer if this does not happen.
- Avoid the temptation to talk about your experience on social media sites. Anything you post can be used in court. Even a seemingly innocent post may reappear to haunt you later.
- Call an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you retain a qualified lawyer, the sooner he can get to work for you.
- Do not leave anything out when you speak to your attorney. Your lawyer needs to have as much information as possible to do his job. Anything you say will be kept confidential.
Little Egg Harbor Township Criminal Defense Lawyer
A good criminal defense lawyer will be working for you long before your case goes to trial. Improper handling of evidence or other wrongdoing on the part of the police may result in charges being dismissed. The majority of criminal cases never go to trial. They are either dismissed or plea-bargained.
A plea bargain is an arrangement whereby the prosecution reduces the charges or suggests an agreed penalty when a defendant agrees to plead guilty. There might be many reasons to take a plea bargain, and it is up to each person and his lawyer to determine whether such a decision is appropriate.
If you have been convicted of a crime and have successfully completed all conditions of your sentence, including any jail time, probation, community service and/ or restitution, you may be a candidate for expungement. When a criminal conviction is expunged, it will not appear on a criminal background check. As with any criminal case, your chances of a favorable outcome will be better if you are represented by an attorney.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Near Me
Hiring the right attorney is the most important decision you will make. A criminal conviction can have serious consequences. So be sure your lawyer is a criminal defense expert. Criminal defense lawyer Tim Wintrode has helped hundreds of people facing criminal charges. Call today for a free consultation and find out how he can help you. (609) 294-8300.