The United States Constitution grants important rights to any person accused of a crime including due process, the right to a fair and speedy trial, the right to representation by counsel, the right to remain silent and to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures.
When choosing a criminal defense attorney in New Jersey, consider the lawyer's training, experience, ratings and reviews. Attorneys that practice within the criminal justice system tend to focus on certain types of cases in either state or federal court.
Most criminal defense attorneys provide a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case and defenses that might apply. Before you decide on which attorney to hire, meet with several different attorneys in their office to discuss the case and the attorney fees required for representation.
Once you decide which attorney to hire, make sure you and the attorney sign a written fee agreement or contract that describes the attorney fees required at each stage of the case including during pre-trial negotiations, motion hearings and a bench or jury trial.
A criminal defense lawyer in New Jersey should fight to protect the rights of his or her client in a criminal case against felony or misdemeanor charges... Read more »
NBLSC Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy - The National Board of Legal Specialty Certification is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) to certify attorneys as specialists in criminal trial advocacy.
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney - In 1980, the Supreme Court of New Jersey established the Board on Attorney Certification.
The purpose of the attorney certification program was to help the public find an attorney who had a recognized level of competence in particular fields of law such as Criminal Trial Law.
To earn the designation, the criminal trial attorney must devoted a substantial portion of professional time to the preparation of criminal cases in the state Superior Court, which includes the trial courts, or the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
The criminal justice attorney must show completion of certain task requirements including a minimum of twenty-five trial days in contested actions concerning indictable offenses.
The regulations provide that the Board will also consider contested actions involving "domestic violence orders based upon crimes; contempt charges in family court; juvenile cases involving crimes; and trial-type hearings in Superior Court." R.G. 203:1(e)(1).
Before earning the designation as "Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney" the lawyer must also submit to peer review by other attorneys and judges, complete continuing legal education courses, and pass a rigorous examination.
Founded in 1958, NACDL is the largest organization for criminal defense lawyers fighting to preserve fairness within America's criminal justice system. The organization has more than 10,000 direct members including criminal defense attorneys in private practice, public defenders in state or federal court, U.S. military defense counsel, law professors and judges.
ACDL-NJ provides a voice for members of the criminal defense bar in New Jersey, and helps them improve their practices.