Much like the surrounding beach towns, Egg Harbor is a summer getaway destination for those from throughout New Jersey and across the region. While most folks are able to enjoy the area’s sights and scenery without getting into trouble, occasionally things can get out of hand and end up with you being cited or arrested for a crime. Especially if this is your first time dealing with the criminal justice system in a serious way, you are likely to be scared and confused about what to do next. The steps you can take in the immediate aftermath of your encounter with the police, however, can make all the difference between you ending up with a criminal record or a slap on the wrist.
Whether you are a local or a visitor, the first thing you or a loved one should do after your arrest is to reach out to a skilled Egg Harbor, NJ criminal defense attorney like those at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych. We will work to protect your rights, get the charges against you downgraded or dismissed, and bring the matter to the best possible conclusion for you and your future. For a free consultation, call our us at (609) 616-4956 today.
What Types of Crimes do Our Egg, Harbor NJ Criminal Defense Attorneys Typically Handle?
Due to the many years of experience between all the members of our team, there are few criminal charges we have not worked to successfully defend clients from. However, below are some of the most common types of cases we have worked on in Egg Harbor and the surrounding area.
- Assault
- Theft
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Underage Drinking
- Disorderly Conduct
- Sexual Assault
- Rape
- Homicide
- Harassment
- Stalking
- Casino Crimes
What is the Difference Between Being Cited and Arrested for a Crime in Egg Harbor, NJ?
For some minor crimes and petty disorderly persons offenses, the police may simply issue you a citation with a court date on it and let you go on your way. While you may be tempted just to throw aside the citation and forget about it, this is not a good idea. If you end up missing your court appearance, the judge could issue a bench warrant for your arrest. Instead, it is best to contact a skilled South Jersey criminal defense attorney like those at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych as soon as possible after the citation is issued so that we can work to get in touch with the prosecutor and try to get the entire case resolved ahead of your first appearance.
In most cases where the police suspect that you have committed a crime, you will be placed under arrest. This can happen on the spot if the officer personally witnesses you committing the crime or otherwise has probable cause to make the arrest, or after some sort of an investigation and an application for an arrest warrant with a judge. Either way, after your arrest you will be taken to the local police station for what is known as the booking process, where you will be fingerprinted and photographed and the police will collect your biographical details. Within 48 hours of your booking, and usually sooner, you will appear in court for your initial appearance and bail hearing. This quick turnaround time is one of the main reasons it is vital to reach out to an experienced Egg Harbor criminal defense attorney like those at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych as soon as possible after your arrest.
How Can a Skilled Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me Deal with My Egg Harbor Criminal Charges?
After you retain us, if you are arrested and in custody, our first focus will of course be on getting you out at the bail hearing. In New Jersey, the use of cash bail has been virtually eliminated, so the judge will decide if you can be released based on a series of holistic factors. Our skilled bail hearing attorneys at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych know the arguments that the judge will find most persuasive in choosing to release you without any cumbersome conditions like wearing an ankle monitor. These include the nature and severity of the charges against you, your criminal history or lack thereof, and your ties to the local community. We will also typically advise you to plead not guilty at your arraignment so that we can collect all the evidence, file any necessary motions like a motion to exclude evidence obtained as a result of an illegal search and seizure, and try to work out a deal with the prosecutor to get the charges against you downgraded or dismissed.
In some cases where you are a first-time offender facing minor charges, we may be able to convince the prosecutor to let you into a pre-trial intervention program, where your charges will be dropped if you complete the program successfully. If pre-trial intervention is not on the table, other potential deals include the prosecutor downgrading the charges to something less serious or offering to recommend a lenient sentence to the judge in exchange for you pleading guilty and saving the state the time and cost of putting on a trial. Of course, if you do not wish to plead guilty or are not satisfied with the deal offered, our battle-tested trial attorneys at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych are always ready and able to fight for a not guilty verdict in the courtroom.
If You Have Been Cited or Arrested in Egg Harbor, NJ, Call Our Skilled Defense Attorneys Today
Anytime you are facing criminal charges, your first priority should be for you or a loved one to get you an experienced Egg Harbor and Atlantic City criminal defense attorney like those at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych. Our knowledge and experience in the local court system give us a leg up in representing you, and we will leave no stone unturned fighting to get the charges against you downgraded or dismissed. For a free consultation, contact our firm today at (609) 616-4956.
