12/30/2018

Hiring Counsel For Resisting Arrest NJ

By Laura Cooper


If you have never before been arrested, chances are you cannot predict how you will react if or when it actually happens. Despite you hearing the law enforcement officer telling you to stop and put your hands up, you might act in an opposite manner, one that might put the officer on defense and think you present a risk to him or her. As you are being put in handcuffs, it is at that moment you might realize the full scope of your predicament. By understanding you need to defend yourself against a charge of resisting arrest NJ residents like you also can begin the vetting process for an attorney.

Before you hire a lawyer, it can be helpful for you to know for what qualifications to look in potential counsel. To start, you want a lawyer who specializes in criminal defense. You do not want to hire an attorney who practices bankruptcy or personal injury law, for example. You need someone who is intimately familiar with the criminal defense codes in your state.

Likewise, you want a lawyer who has a good track record with previous clients. Lawyers are obligated to disclose to clients their win and loss records in court. You presumably want a lawyer who has won more cases than he or she has lost particularly when defending cases like yours. This record could better your chances of exonerating yourself.

After you check out the lawyer's win-loss record, you can then focus on how much your defense will cost you. When you are strapped for cash and do not have any money to retain counsel, the court legally has to provide a lawyer for you. In fact, as the officer reads you your Miranda rights, you will hear him or her say that you will have an attorney appointed for you if you cannot afford to hire one for yourself.

When you can afford to hire one, you do not need one appointed to you by the court. Instead, you can interview attorneys in your area and ask them how much they charge for defending clients like you. You might do well to ask about specific costs including courier services and copying of documents needed to file for your case at the courthouse.

Prior to signing any contract for your criminal defense, you might do well to get all of the costs listed for you in writing. You will know how much you will end up paying for your defense. You also will be able to prepare accordingly for how to pay for it and whether or not you need to take out some sort of financing to fund your criminal defense case.

You typically can get all of this information in a free consultation prior to retaining a lawyer. Most lawyers will allow clients to consult with them at no cost for at least one hour. During that meeting, you can ask the most important questions about your case and what will be involved should you decide to put the attorney on retainer.

When you have been charged with resisting arrest, you will be given a chance to defend yourself in court. Exonerating yourself may require you to hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent you. You may hire a qualified one by knowing how to vet attorneys in your area.




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