(732) 582-5076Aggressive Legal Representation to Secure Fair Outcomes for Our Clients
If you’ve been arrested or are facing a criminal investigation, you probably feel like the deck is stacked against you. Unfortunately, this feeling is entirely accurate. Once a person is charged with a crime, many people simply assume that they’re guilty. From domestic violence to homicide, criminal charges are often enough to stain a person’s reputation. Fortunately, public perception is not what matters in these cases. What truly matters is what the prosecution can prove — and what the jury thinks. A Monmouth County criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you secure a favorable outcome.
At The Hernandez Law Firm, P.C., we will fight hard to ensure you don’t have to live with a criminal record. We handle criminal cases every day, and we have a proven track record of success for our clients. Anything from petty theft to more serious crimes can have a lasting effect on your life, and even if you’re able to avoid jail time, a conviction can still derail everything due to extreme fines, probation, the loss of certain rights, and the easy access of criminal records online. Fortunately, you don’t have to face these scary outcomes alone.
Our law firm is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Are Monmouth County Criminal Defense Attorneys Necessary?
When the government charges someone with a crime, the defendant’s first question is whether they need a skilled criminal defense attorney in Monmouth County. Perhaps they expect that a conviction is unavoidable. Then again, maybe they believe the evidence supports their case. There are even those who believe they’re smart enough to outmaneuver the prosecutor while navigating the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, these beliefs could convince a person that they don’t need legal representation — and this single misstep can result in disastrous outcomes.
First, it’s important to realize that a conviction is never guaranteed. Even if someone is charged with a crime as serious as child pornography, trafficking drug crimes, or murder — simple errors on the part of police or prosecutors could result in charges dismissed before the court. Put simply, there is no such thing as a “slam dunk” when it comes to convicting a defendant with a criminal charge. Unfortunately, those who think they can take on the system alone will often face more serious repercussions than individuals who accept a plea deal from prosecutors.
That’s because prosecutors don’t typically want to take a criminal offense to court. If every single criminal charge resulted in a trial, the court system would grind to a halt in America. We simply don’t have the capacity. This means that prosecutors will get rough on those who refuse to take a plea deal — and if you don’t have Monmouth County criminal defense attorneys on your side, the consequences can be severe since prosecutors will often overcharge defendants. Whether you’re facing DWI charges or allegations of a more violent crime, working with an attorney is in your best interest.
What Types of Criminal Offenses Can Be Charged in New Jersey?
Criminal lawyers across America typically defend their clients against felony and misdemeanor charges. However, things are a little different under New Jersey criminal law. Violent crimes are still treated more seriously than property crimes, and the idea of felony versus misdemeanor still exists somewhat. However, felonies are referred to as indictable offenses, and misdemeanors are referred to as disorderly persons offenses. If you’re charged with a crime in Middlesex County, it’s important for you to understand the distinction.
Indictable Crimes
Indictable crimes are the most serious criminal offenses in New Jersey. They typically include murder, robbery, serious white-collar crimes, kidnapping, sex crimes, and other offenses that would qualify as felonies elsewhere in America. Indictable offenses are categorized into four different degrees. First-degree crimes are the most serious, and upon conviction, a defendant will face 10-20 years in prison. A fourth-degree crime is the least serious indictable offense, but it can still result in an 6-month incarceration term. These cases are heard in Monmouth County Superior Court.
Disorderly Persons Offenses
Monmouth County, NJ criminal defense attorneys who deal exclusively with disorderly persons offenses work within the Municipal Court system. Known as misdemeanors in other states, these crimes are split into disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offenses. The latter is the less serious charge, and it includes allegations such as petty theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. However, a petty disorderly persons offense should not be taken lightly. Even if you manage to avoid jail time, the repercussions of a conviction can last a lifetime.
Should You Engage in Plea Negotiations?
Whether your case takes place in Superior or Municipal Courts, there’s a good chance that the prosecutor will offer a plea deal. This is one of the main reasons so many defendants end up handling their own cases instead of hiring a Monmouth County criminal lawyer. The prosecution will try to convince them that a conviction is unavoidable, and they’ll tell the defendant that pleading guilty will result in less severe consequences. Unfortunately, this is often not true. All former prosecutors can attest to the fact that the government will always try to maximize penalties.
So, does this mean you shouldn’t engage in plea negotiations? Not exactly. From traffic violations to homicide cases, the majority of criminal offenses in America are resolved with a plea deal. There will be situations where plea negotiations are the right decision in your case, but you should never take the prosecutor’s word that they’re being lenient. In any criminal case, they want to make an example. This means they’ll often do whatever New Jersey law allows them to do. If you really want a fair outcome in a plea deal, it’s critical to let a Monmouth County criminal defense lawyer handle negotiations.
When you hire The Hernandez Law Firm, you’ll have a tireless advocate on your side who will fight for the best possible outcome in your case. At times, this will mean securing a fair plea deal — which may include nothing more than probation or community service. However, we will never let you face potential consequences that are unfair. If going to trial is the best possible solution in your case, our trial attorney will do just that. Put simply, you don’t have to go through this alone. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Legal Defense Strategies Are Available?
If you’re facing criminal charges, you want an aggressive criminal defense attorney in Monmouth County on your side. There are various reasons behind this, but the most important is an effective legal strategy. Legal professionals know how the system works, and they understand which defense strategies are appropriate for specific cases. Clients who work with New Jersey criminal defense attorneys have a variety of defenses available to them, including:
- Self-defense or defense of others
- Constitutional violations
- Mistaken identity
- Alibi
- False allegations
- Failure to read Miranda Rights
- Lack of probable cause
- Defense of property
- Coercion or duress
- Insanity defense
- Lack of intent
- Accident
- Consent of the alleged victim
While Monmouth County criminal defense attorneys can help argue a case, many people still opt to take on the criminal justice system on their own. There are actually some individuals who search Google for “legal defenses for (insert crime here)” and think that’s enough to build an effective defense. Unfortunately, the legal system is not that easy to navigate. Defense strategies are not one-size-fits-all, and if you attempt to present an irrelevant or easily disproved defense, the jury will very likely see you as dishonest.
It’s in your best interest to work with experienced criminal lawyers. That’s what we offer at The Hernandez Law Firm. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your case and help decide the best path forward.
Contact a Monmouth County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Being caught up in the criminal system can be terrifying and overwhelming. Even a conviction for a minor crime can have life-altering outcomes. Those who are able to avoid severe legal penalties may experience trouble securing employment, housing, education, and even relationships in the years to come. For those charged with more serious crimes, the potential consequences are even more severe — possibly completely losing your freedom. However, a conviction is never a foregone conclusion. An experienced legal advocate may be able to help.
At The Hernandez Law Firm, P.C., we have the extensive experience and practical knowledge to handle most criminal matters. We offer personalized attention to each of our clients, and we’ll never accept an unfair outcome simply to speed things along. Whether you’re charged with trespassing on private property or money laundering that affected thousands — or even serious violent crimes — we will not stop fighting on your behalf. Contact us today at (732) 582-5076 to schedule your free consultation. Our Monmouth County criminal defense attorney is here to help.