Union County
Criminal Lawyer
Union County Criminal Defense Attorney
A criminal conviction for any offense can dramatically impact various aspects of your life. You may not only face penalties that include fines, incarceration, and loss of your rights, but also various personal and professional consequences that can impede your goals in numerous ways. Therefore, when faced with a criminal charge in Union County, NJ, it is vital to know your rights in this situation and to take full advantage of them. The first legal proceedings you face following arrest are crucial, and any mistakes can impact your future in various ways.
Representation for Union County, NJ, Criminal Defense Cases
Why Should I Hire a Union County Criminal Defense Attorney?
Whenever an American citizen is arrested for any criminal offense, they have two fundamental constitutional rights that come into play in this situation. The first is the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination. You are not legally required to act as a witness against yourself when faced with any criminal charge, so you have the right to remain silent as soon as you are placed under arrest. Do not say anything until you can speak with a Union County criminal defense attorney. Even seemingly harmless statements could be used against you in your criminal case.
The second constitutional right after an arrest is the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of legal representation. Every American citizen has the right to defense counsel when charged with a crime, even if they can’t afford to hire a private defense attorney or do not want to pay legal fees.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, work closely with every defendant we represent to help them formulate the best possible strategies for overcoming their charges.
Cases Our Union County Criminal Law Firm Handles
- Homicide charges. These are some of the most extreme criminal charges anyone can face, potentially carrying a sentence of life in prison. Therefore, you need defense representation with solid experience handling complex homicide cases if you face any such charges in Union County.
- Theft offenses. The penalties for theft hinge on the value stolen and other factors in the case. It’s possible to face misdemeanor or felony prosecution for theft in New Jersey, and your attorney will help you determine the best legal options for avoiding conviction in your case.
- Domestic violence. Any type of violence within a family or household is subject to prosecution under New Jersey’s domestic violence statutes. A conviction for any kind of domestic violence may not only lead to jail time and heavy fines but also loss of child custody rights and/or visitation.
- Drug offenses. Drug-related crimes are some of the most commonly prosecuted offenses in New Jersey. These cases can involve simple possession, possession with intent to sell, drug distribution, drug trafficking, and drug manufacturing. These offenses can potentially lead to heavy fines, jail time, loss of your rights, and potentially mandatory attendance in a substance abuse or counseling program. In addition, some drug-related offenses that pertain to activities crossing state lines may qualify as federal crimes.
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI). Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and extremely dangerous. A driver charged with DWI in New Jersey faces fines, jail time, loss of driving privileges, and civil liability for any damages they caused to others due to DWI.
- Violent crime. Assault, assault with battery, and other criminal charges for violent offenses lead to severe criminal penalties upon conviction. A defendant may also face civil claims for damages from their victims.
- White collar crimes. “White collar crime” typically applies to nonviolent financial crimes committed by business professionals. Embezzlement, corporate fraud, tax violations, money laundering, and various other offenses fall under the purview of white collar criminal law.
How Can a Union County Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me?
Whenever you face criminal charges in New Jersey, the burden of proving your guilt rests on the prosecution. It is your defense lawyer’s job to prevent them from accomplishing this. Therefore, your defense team must be flexible in arranging your legal strategy. Many criminal cases offer multiple options for defense, and your strategy must account for the unique variables of your case. Some ways Union County criminal defense lawyers assist their clients are:
- Addressing due process and civil rights violations. If the police who arrested you violated due process or your civil rights in any way, this behavior is potentially enough to dismiss your case. Your attorney must carefully review the circumstances of your arrest and booking to ensure the police followed proper procedures.
- Evidence chain of custody violations. Once the prosecution obtains material evidence for a criminal case, they must maintain a tight chain of custody over these materials. Your defense lawyer may call the admissibility or credibility of the prosecution’s evidence into question to support your side of the case.
- Establishing an alibi. If you were wrongfully charged with a crime you did not commit, your attorney can assist you in establishing exculpatory evidence that proves you could not have committed the offense in question.
- Attacking prosecutorial evidence. Prosecutors must carefully leverage physical evidence and witness testimony to sway a jury toward a unanimous verdict of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Your defense lawyer will highlight issues with the prosecution’s evidence and cast doubts on the viability of certain pieces of evidence.
- Plea bargaining. When the prosecution has enough evidence to secure a conviction, a plea bargain may be the defendant’s best option. This process exchanges the defendant’s guilty plea for a lighter sentence or reduced charges, but plea bargains typically aren’t offered to repeat offenders or defendants charged with violent crimes.
FAQs Abour Union County Criminal Law
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Union County Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Most criminal defense attorneys bill their clients based on the time spent working on their case, typically tracking their time in 10- or 15-minute increments. Ask a potential attorney about their billing policy before signing a contract for their representation, so there are no unexpected problems regarding their fees.
Can I Avoid Going to Jail?
While jail time may be the standard sentence for some criminal offenses, you may not necessarily go to jail for the offense you committed if you are convicted. You may qualify for alternative sentencing or be issued probation if it is your first criminal offense. Your defense lawyer will help you determine if alternative or reduced sentencing is possible in your case and advise you as to how you can secure this type of outcome.
Will a Conviction Stay on My Record Forever?
A criminal record can interfere with your life in many ways. The expungement process could allow you to have a criminal conviction removed from your record if you meet the necessary criteria for expungement. If you plan to seek expungement of any criminal record in Union County, a defense lawyer can guide you through the process and increase your chances of success.
How Long Will My Case Take?
A criminal case can take weeks or months to resolve, depending on multiple factors. The defendant’s initial plea during arraignment significantly influences this timetable. An immediate guilty plea will lead to more streamlined proceedings, and if the defendant pleads not guilty, this can kick off a long series of courtroom proceedings.
Talk to One of Our Experienced Criminal Attorneys Today
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, are ready to provide the answers you need for your most pressing legal questions following arrest. If you need to speak with an experienced Union County criminal defense lawyer, contact us today.
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Find Your Defense Team Now
It is imperative to secure legal counsel as soon as possible after an arrest. The sooner you hire an Union County criminal defense attorney to handle your case, the better your chances will be of preserving exculpatory evidence and navigating your criminal case successfully. If you are ready to discuss your defense with a reliable Union County criminal defense lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, today and schedule your consultation with our team.
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