Top Elizabeth, NJ Criminal Defense Lawyers Near You

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Elizabeth, NJ Lawyers in Related Practice Areas

Domestic Violence, Drug Crime, Sex Crime

Criminal Defense Lawyers in Cities Near Elizabeth, NJ

Newark, Morristown, West Orange

Elizabeth Criminal Defense Information

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Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Elizabeth

Lead Counsel independently verifies Criminal Defense attorneys in Elizabeth and checks their standing with New Jersey bar associations.

Our Verification Process and Criteria
  • Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
  • Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
  • Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
  • Client Commitment Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.

State Required Disclosure: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Find a Criminal Defense Attorney near Elizabeth

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Are You Facing Criminal Charges?

If you are being investigated for or have been accused of a criminal offense, now is the time to seek out the legal help you need. No matter the charge you may be facing, a person should be considered innocent until proven otherwise. Working with an Elizabeth criminal law attorney can help to protect your legal rights.

Different Types of Criminal Charges

In the state of New Jersey, criminal charges are classified in levels of severity ranging from:

  • Minor infractions like traffic tickets or speeding violations,
  • Misdemeanors, or
  • Felony or aggravated felony charges.

Each criminal charge carries its own potential punishment, which can include fines, probation, community service, and serving time in jail. Depending on your circumstances, like any prior criminal history, these penalties can increase in severity. Reading about criminal law and your rights can help you see the importance of a solid defense.

What Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Do?

The goal of a criminal defense lawyer is to help you navigate the criminal justice system and help you obtain the most favorable outcome possible for your particular situation. A criminal defense lawyer will ensure that law enforcement respects your legal rights if they are investigating you or have arrested you. Defense attorneys can help with a number of procedural issues as well, including:

  • Reducing your bail
  • Challenging your arrest
  • Throwing out any incriminating statements you made to the police
  • Determining whether any of your rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution have been violated
  • Answering any questions you might have regarding your criminal charge
  • Working with the prosecutor to obtain a plea deal

Your attorney will also conduct their own investigation to look for the best strategy to defend against your charges, including representing you at trial if necessary.

Should you accept a plea deal?

Police and prosecutors count on making defendants feel like they have no other option but to accept a plea deal, such as threatening to seek harsher punishment if you take your case to trial. You should only accept a plea deal after your attorney has taken a careful look at your case and the evidence for and against you. In some cases, a plea deal may be beneficial than taking your case to trial, but this is not a decision you should make on your own. It should be with someone who knows the law.

What makes a good Elizabeth criminal defense attorney?

A good criminal defense attorney knows the law here in Elizabeth and does not back down when police and prosecutors do not respect your rights or try to pressure you into taking a plea deal that is not in your best interest. You should also look for an attorney who has a long track record of success in cases like yours, including trial victories in the state of New Jersey.

When should you ask for an attorney?

You should ask for an attorney as soon as you learn that you are under suspicion of committing a crime. If police are investigating you and “just want to ask you a couple of questions,” you should politely refuse and ask for a lawyer’s help. Also, if you are arrested, you should ask to contact a lawyer as soon as possible before answering any other questions. An attorney can speak to police and prosecutors on your behalf and make sure they respect your rights.

Should you accept a plea deal?

Police and prosecutors count on making defendants feel like they have no other option but to accept a plea deal, such as threatening to seek harsher punishment if you take your case to trial. You should only accept a plea deal after your attorney has taken a careful look at your case and the evidence for and against you. In some cases, a plea deal may be more beneficial than taking your case to trial, but this is not a decision you should make on your own. It should be with someone who knows the law of New Jersey in order to ensure you are getting the best outcome possible.

When should you ask for an attorney?

No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. If you learn you are under investigation or a suspect of a criminal investigation, asking for an attorney can be critical. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.

If the police are investigating you and tell you they “just want to ask you a couple of questions,” you have the right to politely refuse and ask for a lawyer’s help. An attorney can speak to police and prosecutors on your behalf and make sure they respect your rights, as well as provide you with legal counsel before you answer any other questions.

Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney

  • How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
  • How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
  • What is the likely outcome for my case?

In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.

Tips on Approaching an Initial Attorney Consultation

  • Use the consultation as a means of gaining a better understanding of your legal situation.
  • Ask the attorney how many cases similar to yours he/she has handled. An attorney’s experience and knowledge can speak to their expertise (or lack of) in addressing your situation.
  • Your attorney should be able to articulate roughly how long a case like yours will take to resolve and what sort of procedures to expect.
  • Determine how comfortable you are working with the lawyer and/or law firm.

Tips on Hiring an Experienced Lawyer with Criminal Defense Cases

The more experienced a lawyer is in legal practice, the more likely he/she will be able to bring about a successful resolution to your issue. Since experience matters, lawyers who’ve been practicing law for many years (with a successful track record) tend to be in high demand. You should look for information about a lawyer’s experience and ask questions during the initial meeting. It’s a very good idea to ask the lawyer how many years he/she has been practicing law and the expected outcome of your case.

Common legal terms explained

Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.

Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.

Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.

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