Morris County
Criminal Lawyer
Morris County Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are arrested for any criminal offense in Morris County, New Jersey, it’s essential to know your rights in this situation and the value of legal counsel you can trust. For example, you may have broken the law and are afraid of the consequences you face, or you may have been wrongfully accused of an offense you did not commit. In either situation, your Morris County criminal defense lawyer will be an essential asset as you navigate your criminal court proceedings.
Providing Defense Counsel for Morris County, NJ, Criminal Cases
Why You Need a Morris County Criminal Attorney
Two very important constitutional rights come into play after an arrest in New Jersey. The first is your right to remain silent, protected by the Fifth Amendment. You do not have to say anything during arrest or booking, and anything you say could be used against you in criminal court. Comply with the directions given by the police until you are allowed to make your phone calls.
The Sixth Amendment provides the second vital right in this situation: your right to legal counsel. Every American citizen has the right to a defense lawyer when accused of a crime. This right applies even when a defendant is unable or unwilling to hire a private defense attorney. It’s still a good strategy to consider, since hiring a private defense firm can offer personalized legal counsel, an aggressive defense of your rights, and a robust legal strategy that may help you avoid conviction.
Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in Morris County
When choosing a criminal defense lawyer to represent you, it is essential to evaluate their experience handling the type of charges you currently face. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, have spent years defending clients from conviction for various criminal offenses, including:
- Theft and property crimes. The penalties for theft offenses in New Jersey vary depending on the amount or value of items stolen and the presence of any mitigating or aggravating factors in a case. The defendant will also likely owe restitution to the victim as part of their sentence.
- Fraud. Crimes of deception can entail severe penalties, such as incarceration, heavy fines, and restitution to defrauded victims. The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, has handled mail fraud, credit card fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, and many other similar cases.
- Violent crimes. Assault, battery, and weapons-related offenses carry severe penalties under the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice. In addition, many violent crimes that result in physical harm or the death of victims lead to felony prosecution, and defendants may face decades in prison if convicted.
- Homicide. “Homicide” is the legal term for taking a person’s life. There are various homicide charges a person might face in Moore County if they cause the death of another person. When committed intentionally, homicide can lead to life in prison. Negligently causing another person’s death may also lead to prosecution, and the victim’s family would likely file a wrongful death claim in civil court against the defendant.
- Drug offenses. Offenses involving illegal substances are some of the most commonly prosecuted crimes in New Jersey. The penalties for possession, possession with intent to sell, trafficking, and manufacturing depend on the type and quantity of the substance.
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI). Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to severe criminal penalties, including fines, jail time, and driver’s license suspension. In addition, penalties increase dramatically when a DWI driver hurts or kills someone.
- Domestic violence. Any crimes committed within a family or household could lead to domestic violence charges in Morris County. Domestic violence offenses typically entail harsher penalties than the standard versions of these offenses. For example, domestic assault often leads to more severe sentencing than simple assault.
- White collar crimes. This term applies to financial crimes typically committed within the business world. While nonviolent in nature, the amounts of money these offenses often entail typically mean severe penalties for convicted defendants. Our firm has handled cases involving business fraud, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duties, and much more.
What to Expect From Your Morris County, NJ, Criminal Defense Lawyer
Every criminal case is unique, and a defendant may have more opportunities for defending themselves than they initially realize. In the US, the laws of the criminal justice system uphold the concept of “innocent until proven guilty.” This means proving a defendant’s guilt rests on the prosecution; it is not left to the defendant to prove they are innocent. However, you should not interpret this to mean that you can be entirely passive through a criminal case and hope the prosecution can unravel on its own.
Your Morris County criminal defense attorney can carefully review the facts of your case and help you determine your best defenses against your charges. Your legal team will also scrutinize how the police handled your arrest and booking and whether you experienced civil or constitutional rights violations.
The defenses available to you in a criminal case hinge on the nature of your charges. For example, if you are charged with homicide after killing another person in self-defense, you would need to prove that you had a reasonable fear of immediate injury or death from the victim in question. Your actions are aligned with the self-defense laws of New Jersey. If you are arrested for drug possession, you may need to prove the drugs in question do not belong to you. You may also pursue alternative sentencing due to a substance abuse disorder.
Ultimately, the best defenses fluctuate in every case, and it is your defense lawyer’s job to help you review and take full advantage of each of them. The right attorney can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal in any criminal case.
FAQs About Morris County Criminal Law
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Morris County Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Most criminal defense attorneys in Morris County charge their clients by the hour. The longer an attorney must spend working on a client’s case, the more the client pays in legal fees. If a defense attorney offers their representation to you in your case, make sure you fully understand their billing policies, so there are no surprises when it comes to your final bill for their services.
What Should I Do After Arrest?
The first steps you take during and after an arrest in New Jersey can profoundly impact your criminal court proceedings. When the police notify you that you are being arrested, they will read you your Miranda rights before taking you to the police station for booking. Say nothing during these procedures and remain silent until you can contact a defense attorney.
How Long Will a Criminal Case Take to Resolve?
The criminal justice system of New Jersey moves slowly at times, and the timetable of court proceedings will be different for every case. Your defense lawyer can estimate your case’s most likely timetable, which will help you calculate how much you may need to pay in legal fees by the end of your case. Most criminal cases take several weeks to several months of court proceedings before they conclude.
Will I Go to Jail?
The New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice assigns incarceration as a penalty for many offenses in New Jersey. Misdemeanors typically lead to jail time, while felonies will lead to incarceration in state prison. The nature of the defendant’s charges, their criminal history, and any aggravating or mitigating factors in the case can all influence sentencing. Many first offenders may qualify for diversionary or alternative sentences, and many criminal judges are open to conditional probation in lieu of jail time for some defendants.
Talk to Our Morris County Criminal Attorneys About Your Case
The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, can provide the comprehensive defense representation you need no matter what type of charges you currently face. To discuss your case with an experienced Morris County criminal defense lawyer, contact us today.
Morris County
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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 a Morris 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 Morris County criminal defense lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, today and schedule your consultation with our team.
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