Being arrested for a criminal offense can be anxiety-inducing. When dealing with the complex legal process involved in fighting criminal charges, you should have an experienced attorney to assist you.
If you are arrested, you may be taken into police custody and booked before you get a chance to call for help. When the chance arises, call an attorney and have them meet you at the police station if possible. Avoid answering police questions until your lawyer is present. Your next area of focus should be bail. Bail reforms in New Jersey have led to the elimination of cash bail in all but a few circumstances. It might even be possible to have you released on your own recognizance with few if any restrictions. Call a lawyer as quickly as possible. Having a lawyer in your corner as early in the judicial process as possible may greatly help your case. In many cases, an experienced lawyer can start work to fight your charges long before the trial even begins.
Please call our criminal defense attorneys at (609) 616-4956 and schedule an evaluation of your case and charges at no cost with us at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych.
Steps to Take When Being Arrested for a Criminal Offense in Brooklawn, NJ
Your case begins the moment you are under arrest. As such, how you conduct yourself during the arrest process is important and may impact your case going forward. Even if you believe the police have the wrong person or are unlawfully detaining you, avoid putting up resistance. Doing so only tends to make the situation worse for the defendant. If the police were wrong in their arrest, tell your attorney and let them work to make things right.
After you are arrested, law enforcement officials will book you into custody. Much of this process involves taking things like photos, fingerprints, and identifying details for police records. The police might also check for things like outstanding warrants.
The authorities might want to ask you questions about the supposed crime, and this is when you need to start protecting yourself. First, the police must explain your Miranda rights to you. You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer any questions during the custodial interrogation process. You also have a right to a lawyer. It would be best to invoke both these rights immediately and call our criminal defense lawyers for help. If you demand an attorney, the police are prohibited from resuming questioning until your lawyer is present.
It might feel intimidating to stand up to the authorities and refuse to answer questions, but they cannot legally compel you to answer these questions and possibly incriminate yourself.
How to Get Bail and Be Released From Jail After Arrest in Brooklawn, NJ
A major concern among recently arrested people is how long they have to remain in jail. While it is true that the government cannot detain someone for long without assessing criminal charges, you might have to wait in jail for a little while until bail is determined.
Under N.J.S.A. § 2A:162-16(b)(1), you cannot be held in jail for longer than 48 hours before bail is decided. Many, if not most, defendants are eventually released from jail while they await their trial. However, some defendants are denied bail. Usually, bail is only denied in extreme cases involving very severe, violent charges or a defendant with a history of jumping bail.
Additionally, bail in New Jersey rarely requires defendants to pay anymore. Bail reforms have revamped the way the courts determine bail. Under the same law mentioned above, the authorities may conduct a risk assessment to determine if the defendant should get bail and what the terms of their bail should be.
Many defendants are released without paying any money, but they may be restricted by certain terms and conditions. For example, you might be required to stay away from drugs, alcohol, or even certain people known to be engaged in criminal activity.
When to Speak to an Attorney About Your Brooklawn, NJ Criminal Case
Defendants are often unsure of when they should call a lawyer. This is often because the police and even prosecutors tend to leave defendants in the dark when important decisions about charges are being made. Ideally, you should hire an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
The second you are arrested, your rights are at risk. When the police say, “Anything you say can and will be used against you,” they mean it. Waiting to hire a lawyer only makes your situation more difficult and the jobs of prosecutors easier. Call an attorney as soon as you can after arrest. If possible, call a lawyer before the arrest so they can immediately come to your aid if and when you are taken into custody.
Why Having a Criminal Defense Attorney is Important in a Brooklawn, NJ Case
Having an attorney is essential throughout your case. Your lawyer can help protect you from government overreach and advise you on your criminal rights and how to exercise and protect them. Always remember, the government is not on your side after you are arrested. The police sometimes tell suspects and defendants that they are looking out for them or only trying to help. Do not be fooled. If the police have arrested you, they are working against you and want to incriminate you. Your lawyer will help you protect yourself.
Your attorney can also help you develop an effective defense strategy. No two cases are alike. What helps one defendant might be useless to another. You need a lawyer with the skills and legal experience to identify helpful strategies and tactics you can use to challenge the case against you.
Speak to Our Brooklawn, NJ Criminal Defense Lawyers About Your Case Today
Please contact our criminal defense lawyers at (609) 616-4956 and schedule an evaluation of your case at no cost with us at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych.
