Frequently Asked Questions - New Jersey Criminal Law

A:No. Unless the police have a search warrant, you never have to consent to a search by the police. Even if they threaten to detain you until they secure a search warrant, it is almost never a good idea to consent to a search. If they do present a warrant, my firm will investigate how the secured the warrant to ensure that your rights were not violated in the process.

A:No. Under the Fifth Amendment, you absolutely have the right to not say anything that might incriminate you. The police may try to intimidate you into believing that not cooperating will lead to more severe consequences later. They may also promise leniency but remember, the police are allowed to lie when they are trying to get you to incriminate yourself. Don't offer them any information and don't let them bait you into an argument.Law enforcement will do everything they can to build their case against you. If you want to protect your rights, you need my firm by your side.I will not be intimidated and I will aggressively fight to protect you.

A:Your Miranda rights must be read to you if any statement you make can be used against you. If the case against you is strong enough that the prosecution does not need a statement from you in order to proceed, the police do not have to read you your rights. The Miranda warning is required only when the prosecution intends on using your statements at trial. Never agree to speak to anyone until you consult a skilled lawyer from my firm.

A:No. Despite your first impulse to begin defending yourself, the wisest thing you can do for yourself is remain silent until your criminal defense attorney arrives at the police station. Being arrested is nerve-racking and when people are nervous, they can share information that will end up hurting them down the road. The police officers arresting you have one objective and that is to gather enough evidence for the prosecution to incriminate you, this may or may not include the information you share with them. A legal professional will know the right time to share the right information in order to protect you from conviction.

A:Absolutely. While the police and prosecution may claim to offer you lesser punishment in return for your cooperation, it is important to remember that they will always act in their own best interests first and foremost. You need an experienced and resourceful attorney from my firm to make sure that your punishment is minimized as much as possible. My firm will take the time to carefully evaluate your case and tactfully negotiate\ for a plea deal that protects you both now and in the future.

A:As soon as you possibly can. If you have been charged with a crime, contact my firm at your first opportunity. If you are aware that you are being investigated for a crime, you need to contact me right away to make sure that your rights are protected. Timing is critical when it comes to the law. There are court imposed deadlines that must be met for a variety of issues that directly affect your defense. The earlier that you involve my proven firm, the sooner I can go to work to aggressively protect your rights and strategically develop a hard-hitting and effective defense.

A:No. Generally speaking, anything you say to another person is not privileged meaning that it may be used against you. You should only talk to my firm, where you will have attorney - client privilege. It is in your best interest to contact me before saying anything to anyone.