Bridgewater Criminal Defense Lawyer

Bridgewater Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges, your future is at stake. The first, and most important step to understanding the charges and protecting your rights is finding the right Bridgewater criminal defense lawyer. When your freedom is in jeopardy, you need a team of legal professionals with experience defending cases like yours.

Why Choose Us

The team at Wronko & Loewen has over 170 years of combined experience fighting for clients. We have represented people in hundreds of criminal cases and stand ready to represent you. Whether you are facing domestic violence charges after an arrest in Bridgewater or you are being charged with drug possession, we can help defend you.

Our attorneys have worked within the New Jersey legal system for years and are familiar with the judges and prosecution in the Somerset County court system.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle in Bridgewater

Being charged with a crime is serious and can have a long-lasting impact on your life. At Wronko & Loewen, some of the cases we handle in Bridgewater, New Jersey, include the following:

• Drug crimes. Drug crimes may involve the possession, distribution, or manufacturing of drugs.
• Domestic violence. Domestic violence charges can include harassment, stalking, assault, and other acts involving a family member, romantic partner, or household member.
• Homicide. Homicide charges in New Jersey can include murder, manslaughter, aggravated manslaughter, or vehicular homicide.
• Gun crimes. Gun crimes may involve the illegal use, possession, or transfer of firearms, including using a gun while committing another crime or possession without a permit.
• Sex offenses. Sex offenses may include criminal sexual contact, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, or the possession or distribution of child pornography. This type of case may also include lewd behavior and prostitution.

Understanding the Criminal Process in New Jersey

If you are facing criminal charges, it is important to know how the process works. Most criminal cases in New Jersey follow a similar process. It includes the following stages:

• Arrest. Law enforcement will usually take you to the police station for fingerprinting and run your name through the State Police database to look for prior arrests and warrants.
• Complaint. After an arrest, law enforcement will file a complaint outlining the charges against you.
• First appearance. Your case may officially begin with an initial appearance in the Bridgewater Township Municipal Court, where you will be informed of your rights and the charges. At this time, the court may also decide if you are eligible for pre-trial release or if you will be detained.
• Pre-indictment conference and grand jury. If the crime is indictable, a grand jury decides if there is enough evidence against you to proceed.
• Post-indictment arraignment. If a grand jury determines that the case will proceed, the defendant will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
• Pre-trial motions and discovery. Your defense attorney gains access to all evidence that the state is required to provide. Your attorney may also file motions to dismiss certain charges or evidence.
• Trial or plea bargain. Your defense attorney may negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution if it is in your interests. If there is no plea bargain, the case will proceed to trial at the Somerset County Superior Court in Somerville. According to the American Bar Association, in at least 98% of criminal cases, defendants choose a plea bargain instead of going to trial.
• Sentencing. If convicted, a sentencing hearing is scheduled at which the court will impose a sentence based on the offense, state or federal laws, and the factors of the case.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Bridgewater

It is understandable if you feel a sense of panic when you have been arrested and charged with a crime. It is also vital to realize that an arrest does not mean that your future is ruined. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer with knowledge of criminal defense laws in Bridgewater, NJ, they can determine if the prosecution has a strong case and work hard to defend you against the charges.

Legal counsel can help you navigate all the possible outcomes for your criminal defense case. Our criminal defense attorney can provide legal advice, negotiate with prosecutors to have the charges against you reduced or dismissed, and represent you at every stage of the legal process.

FAQs About Bridgewater, NJ Criminal Defense Laws

What Is the Hardest Criminal Case to Beat?

There is no single criminal case that is the hardest to beat. The difficulty depends on the case, the evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the case. Less than 1% of federal criminal cases were acquitted in 2022. However, some criminal charges are more challenging to defend than others, such as homicide, which often involves forensic evidence and complex legal rules.

How Do You Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Bridgewater?

The most effective way to choose a criminal defense lawyer in Bridgewater is to do your research. Experience matters when it comes to your defense, so choose an attorney who has successfully tried a large number of criminal cases. You also want to think about the skills needed to represent you effectively. People skills, the ability to persuade, and the ability to negotiate are all important factors to consider.

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in Bridgewater, New Jersey?

The cost of a criminal defense attorney in Bridgewater, New Jersey, depends on your case and the fee structure used by the attorney you hire. Some attorneys charge a flat fee for criminal cases, while others charge an hourly fee and sometimes require a retainer.

A retainer is an upfront payment that the attorney will draw from to cover the initial costs of their legal work. They deduct their hourly rate from the retainer until it’s gone, then charge any additional funds needed.

What Are the Four Types of Criminal Defenses?

The four types of criminal defenses are constitutional violation, innocence, insanity, and self-defense. A constitutional violation defense is based on the fact that a defendant’s constitutional rights were violated during the criminal process. The innocence defense is based on facts that prove the defendant did not commit the crime.

Insanity is the idea that the defendant did not understand their actions. Self-defense is based on the fact that a defendant acted because they were in danger.

Contact Our Bridgewater Criminal Defense Attorney

For most people, there are few events in their lives that are more serious than facing criminal charges. If you have been charged with a crime, schedule a consultation with Wronko & Loewen for legal advice. We can review your case and help ensure your rights are protected.