Criminal Defense Attorney Ocean County NJ – Hire the Best Criminal Lawyer in New Jersey

Criminal defense law consists of the legal protections afforded to people who have been accused of a crime. A criminal defense attorney can help you with criminal charges. Basically, a defense attorney knows how to use defense options provided by our legal system. An attorney uses these options to carve out advantages for his/her clients. A prosecutor and a defense attorney can both use the same foundation of factual events. However they can come up with completely different stories. The role of a defense attorney is to come up with a defense strategy. Similarly, our attorneys join up with the defendant and create a sound legal strategy. As a result, we present a story that is guided by the facts. In addition, it shows the defendant in the best light possible. Call us today!

How criminal defense attorney can help you?

Securing a Release from Jail Pending Trial
Plea Bargaining Strategies
Presenting a Winning Defense to the Jury

Why You Should Hire Us?

There are various criminal defense strategies that might be available to you. It depends upon the nature of your case. A criminal defense attorney can best explain all your options. As a result, you can create a strong defendant case. We know that the United States constitution gives everybody a fair trial. It assumes all accused persons innocent until found guilty. So, our best criminal lawyer can help you present the facts that help your case not hurt it. For any question, call us at (732)-646-5529

We have helped many clients faced with criminal charges. Similarly, we can help you in the same way. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer from our law firm, you feel secure. We will use all the favorable facts and legal statutes available to argue on your behalf. Talk to us now!

We maintain the best criminal defense attorneys who have proven their intimate knowledge of criminal law. So, contact us today and get the best advise.

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Your Rights When You Are Arrested

After an arrest on suspicion of a criminal offense, the two most important rights that you have are the right to remain silent and the right to be represented by a lawyer.

Ask for a Lawyer.
Do not talk to anyone about what happened.

This is the time to assert both of these rights. Do not try to explain what happened or try to tell your side of the story. That is a job for your criminal defense attorney. Do not give a statement, orally or in writing. If asked to sign a Miranda form, write “I WANT A LAWYER” then sign your name.

You do need to provide the police with your name, address, phone number and other information that identifies who you are. After you have given them this information, do not talk about the incident or offer any other information. This is not a social encounter. Anything you say can be used against you. A statement does not need to be a formal written statement signed by you in order for it to be used against you. This is the time to BE SILENT.

The charges will be written on either a summons or a warrant. If you are charged on a summons, you will be released after you are processed. If you are charged on a warrant, you will not be released until a bail has been set and someone posts the bail for you.

If you are released, immediately write a complete account of the incident. DO NOT SHARE THIS NARRATIVE WITH ANYONE ELSE BEFORE YOU TALK TO A LAWYER.

At Riviere Advocacy Group, we know that if you want results, you need criminal defense attorneys and you need criminal law masters to handle every detail of your case.

Call Riviere Advocacy Group right away to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.

(732)-646-5529

What Can You Expect?

Within 24 hours of your arrest or being charged:

If you are released, contact our firm or a lawyer who specializes in criminal defense. If you are not released, have your family call our firm or a defense attorney of your choice.

An important question to ask a lawyer: What is your experience level with the type of crime I have been charged with? Speak to the attorney about what happened, the crimes you are charged with, who your witnesses are, whether you have an alibi, and what approach you want the attorney to take.

In selecting a defense lawyer, consider the level of experience that the lawyer has with the type of charges filed against you and the type of investigation that led to the charges being filed. Some charges and investigations require a lawyer to have a great deal of specialized knowledge in order to properly represent you.

Examples of these types of charges include cases where the State used wiretapping or electronic surveillance during its investigation, or a case in which you are charged with a serious crime involving the death of a victim, either during the incident or later due to injuries received during the incident.

If you are able to retain a lawyer, do so before your first court appearance. The sooner the lawyer can start preparing your defense, the more effect the lawyer can have on how the case will be handled by the prosecution.

Bring the following to the consultation:

The narrative writing you prepared of all the details of the incident
All documents you have received regarding this incident
All documents regarding any prior arrests or convictions
Medical documentation for any condition you had at the time of the incident
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses

Considerations to discuss with a lawyer:

The nature of the offenses currently charged
The likelihood of additional charges being filed
The possible sentence for the current charges
Defenses that can be made based upon the facts of the case
Witnesses that need to be interviewed by a defense investigator
Motions that may affect the strength of the State’s case
Medical conditions that may have had an impact on the incidt

Your first court appearance is called an arraignment. At this hearing, you will be advised by the judge of the charges filed against you. The judge will also ask if you have an attorney. This is an important hearing, and if at all possible, you want your defense lawyer to be retained prior to this hearing. If you have a lawyer at this hearing, the lawyer can try to achieve several things that will benefit you. These include getting a copy of the police reports about your charges, requesting a lower bail, and arguing for the charges to be downgraded.

Your second court appearance is called a plea disposition conference. Prior to this hearing, you and your attorney need to discuss the following:

The legal issues raised in the police reports
The plea offer the State is likely to make
Your lawyer’s recommendations about the case
The actions you want your lawyer to take
What will happen if the case proceeds any further
Your bail status

Degrees of Crimes:

If your charge is a first through a fourth degree crime, then this is what is called an indictable offense.

In New Jersey there are differing degrees of crimes. Each degree of crime has its own penalties that may be applied if you are found guilty.

A first degree crime carries sentencing of 10 to 20 years.
A second degree crime carries sentencing of 5 to 10 years.
A third degree crime carries sentencing of 18 months to 5 years.
A fourth degree crimes carries sentencing of up to 18 months.
A disorderly person offense is a charge for disorderly conduct, harassment, assault, public drunkenness, minor drug offenses, or another charge for personal action.
A disorderly persons offense, commonly referred to as a “DP” carries no more that up to 6 months.

If you are indicted this means that a majority of the 23 people in the grand jury room, after hearing evidence presented by the State to include the testimony of a police officer’s summary of the evidence against you, believed that it is probable that a crime was committed, and the State will then move forward in the prosecution of the case.

Kimberly Owens

16:32 25 Apr 19

Paul Riviere did an outstanding job of representing me in my Tort Claim. Communication was excellent, my questions and concerns were answered and he was always ready to assist when needed. He really fought for me to get the settlement I needed and deserved. I highly recommend this attorney.

Don Crosby

18:37 23 Apr 19

My family used Attorney Paul Riviere for some legal issues. Paul did a great job representing us. Whenever we called Paul, when we had questions, Paul always returned our calls with the answers. We were very satisfied with Mr. Riviere's work. We will definitely use Mr. Riviere again.

Joey Sylvester

13:08 23 Apr 19

Paul is great! He helped me even after his paid duties were completed. Thank you Paul!

June Hosford

15:02 15 Apr 19

I hired Paul to represent my daughter in a partnership dispute. Although he was very good in the beginning negotiating a fair settlement, he has failed to help her in executing the terms of the contract. He has basically told us she can pursue payment due her in small claims court . He was paid a very hefty retainer which he has almost all exhausted. I feel like he has abandoned her without helping to enforce the settlement he helped navigate. She is still without payment due her which he never followed up on. Im sure he will expect more payment for that . I am disappointed in his lack of helping to enforce a vital part of this agreement .

Joy Valente

00:47 05 Feb 17

I've been extremely taken aback by the acrimonious demeanor I've read, in the reviews, regarding The law firm of Riviere Cresci & Singer but specifically Mr, Paul Riviere. Esq. I first became acquainted with Mr. Riviere after I suffered an automobile accident. I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Riveire, along with other perspective attorney's, while looking for representation. After meeting with Mr. Reviere I knew instantly that he was the man I was going to hire. Mr. Riviere proved to be the right choice not only from his business acumen but his personal interest as well in my health and welfare. I would highly recommend this firm and Mr. Reviere if you are looking for an established firm with a history of excellent client-attorney interaction.

Mariel Valencia

22:09 13 Jan 17

Jonathan Singer was simply the best atty. I will deff recommend his firm without a doubt.

Michelle Pizzimenti

00:50 25 Oct 16

I had the pleasure of working with Paul Riviere and Jonathan Singer over the past few months. Paul and Jonathan were both always very knowledgeable, professional and timely when communicating with me and when communicating directly with the courts. I would highly recommend Paul Riviere and Jonathan Singer to anyone seeking legal services. Thank you, again!!

Lauren Greenberg

14:48 20 Oct 16

Paul worked on a tax assessment case for my husband and I. Our town assessed our house and as a result our taxes were due to increase. Paul was excellent and time efficient. He fought our town to have the house re-assessed and as a result our taxes did not increase and we got are due for a refund from the township. Thanks so much for a job well done!

matthew o'bryan

18:40 03 Oct 16

Paul worked on an expongment case for me that I thought would never go thru. Paul was very professional and really helped direct me to what I needed to do in order for him to get the job done. I can't thank him enough for his hard work. I recommend Paul to anyone for any case that they would need a lawyer for.