You may wonder whether you really need a lawyer when you are arrested or charged with a crime. All you need to do is cooperate with the police, right? Wrong. Without the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you may not understand your full constitutional rights during this situation or how to properly assert them to protect you during an arrest, interrogation, and trial.

By working with an attorney, you have someone on your side who will fight for the best possible outcome in your situation. To learn more about how an attorney protects your rights, contact a Jersey City criminal defense lawyer of Bhatt Law Group at (201) 798-8000.

Your Miranda Rights

When you are arrested and charged with a crime, there are certain constitutional rights that become applicable to your situation. Some of these rights must be told to you by an officer at the time of your arrest. They are known as Miranda Rights. If they are not told to you, then your arrest may not be valid. However, the police do not give the rights to you – you always have them.

Your Miranda Rights are critical to protecting you from self-incrimination and police abuse. They are:

• The right to remain silent (anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law)
• The right to an attorney
• If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you

Why You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney

It can be incredibly difficult to protect your constitutional rights when you are with the police, particularly since it is not their job to uphold or advise you on these rights. The police can lie to you and pressure you to talk, and it is in their best interests to do so. It is also hard to protect yourself because your Miranda Rights are more nuanced than you might realize. For instance, you cannot say absolutely silent throughout the entire encounter. You are legally required to identify yourself and provide an ID. However, you do not have to answer further questions that could potentially provide prosecutors with evidence against you. However, if you do not properly invoke your right to remain silent, then anything you end up accidentally saying or your silence could be held against you in court. It is these types of issues that make it important to have an attorney by your side after an arrest.

Obtaining a Criminal Defense Lawyer

The police do not have criminal defense attorneys waiting around the station to represent you. Instead, your best option is to contact an attorney directly or a family member who can call Bhatt Law Group. Otherwise, you will have to invoke your right to remain silent and wait until you appear before the court to request a public defender.

Once you are arraigned and released from jail, you can continue to work with the public defender or better yet, obtain a private Jersey City criminal defense attorney. By working with a private defense lawyer, you have someone who has a great deal more time to concentrate on your case than a public defense, who are often overworked.

Contact a Jersey City Criminal Defense Lawyer for Help

If you or a family member are in need of representation after an arrest, contact Bhatt Law Group as soon as possible. No matter where you or your loved one are in a case, we will immediately protect their rights, analyze the situation, and build a strong defense.

Call us at (201) 798-8000 to schedule a free consultation.