What to Do if Arrested- Special Report Top 10
1. Tell The Police Officer or Detective that you wish to talk to your Lawyer. Repeat this request to every officer who speaks to you.
2. Identify yourself, if asked. If the incident is related to a motor vehicle, produce your license, registration, and insurance card.
3. Beyond identifying yourself, give no other information. Answer NO other questions. SIGN NOTHING. If you are asked any other questions, reply politely, "I would rather not discuss it.
NOTE: If you are arrested for Drunk Driving in New Jersey, you must give breath samples before you call your Lawyer. You are not required to do field sobriety tests such as walking a straight line.
Remember: Even a fish would not get caught if they kept their mouth closed. [Copyright Alan Marain] OJ remained silent and was out playing golf for a decade on the nicest courses in Florida.
4. Hire a trial lawyer at the first opportunity. Hire an experienced criminal lawyer. Don’t hire an ambulance chaser that mails you a solicitation letter advising they handle cases cheap, then sends a young attorney with no trial experience to handle the case. Remember, good things ain’t cheap, and cheap things ain’t good. [Zig Ziglar]
5. Borrow money from relatives and friends. You made need more money to hire a good attorney You may need money to hire investigators and experts.
6. Provide your attorney the Complaint. Provide Arrest report if provided.
7. Obtain names, addresses, phone number of your witnesses and provide to your attorney.
8. Take Photos of arrest location, if applicable. Ex- DWI location of walking straight line
9. Call Court and confirm location and time of initial appearance. Sometimes courts change date of appearance without telling you. You don’t want to waste a trip to the courthouse or show up the wrong day or time.
10. Please prepare and mail to my office a list of 15 reasons why the judge should not impose the maximum penalties or fines.
- Obtain written proof of attendance at any substance abuse programs, AA, rehab, community service, etc. Phone calls not sufficient.
- I recommend very strongly that you obtain letters from relatives or other individuals who know you who would be willing to write to the Court to indicate that there should not be incarceration. These letters should set forth favorable aspects regarding your life and your future. They should point out some of the good traits that you possess. They should also feel free to put any other reasons why the Court should impose the minimum penalties. The letter should include your name and complaint number.
Don't give up! The Law Office of Kenneth Vercammen can provide experienced attorney representation for criminal and serious motor vehicle violations.
1. Telephone consultation with client;
2. Office consultation with client;
3. Offer sound legal advice to client, plus access to our legal info website: www.njlaws.com
4. Preparation of Letter of Representation to Municipal Court;
5. Preparation of Letter of Representation to Municipal Court Prosecutor;
6. Preparation of statement to provide legal services;
7. Copies of all correspondence to Court and Prosecutor to client;
8. Opening of file and client may have free client case folder, Municipal Court brochure, MVC-DMV points brochure, and Website brochure;
9. Review of necessary statutes and case law;
10. Follow up with Prosecutor for discovery when suspension or jail is possible;
11. File applicable Motions, Prepare defense and mitigating factors;
12. Miscellaneous correspondence, preparation and drafting of pleadings and legal documents in contested serious cases;
13. Review documents supplied by client and court;
14. Travel to Court
15. Negotiations with the Prosecutor and Representation in Court.
16. Preparation of End of Case Letter and client questionnaire.
17. Free Brochures provided on other legal topics such as Worker's Comp, Wills, Estate Planning, Personal Injury
18. Free monthly update e-mail newsletter. Provide your email address;
19. Follow up telephone advice [If you call, provide the specific questions with the message].
20. Invitation to annual client socials/ seminars and Community events via email.
21. Hold and maintain file for seven years in storage as free client service.
When your job or driver's license is in jeopardy or you are facing thousands of dollars in fines, probation, penalties you need excellent legal representation.
Arrested? Hire a real criminal defense attorney, not someone who sends you solicitation letters in the mail.
Kenneth Vercammen's Law Office represents individuals charged with criminal, drug offenses, and serious traffic violations throughout New Jersey. Kenneth Vercammen was the NJ State Bar Municipal Court Attorney of the Year and past president of the Middlesex County Municipal Prosecutor's Association.
Try to Avoid Some of the Consequences of a Criminal Guilty Plea:
1. You will have to appear in open court and tell the judge what you did that makes you guilty of the particular offense(s)
2. If you plead guilty:
a. You will have a criminal record
b. You may go to Jail or Prison.
c. You will have to pay Fines and Court Costs.
3. If you are on Probation, you will have to submit to random drug and urine testing. If you violate Probation, you often go to jail.
4. In indictable matters, you will be required to provide a DNA sample, which could be used by law enforcement for the investigation of criminal activity, and pay for the cost of testing.
5. You must pay restitution if the court finds there is a victim who has suffered a loss and if the court finds that you are able or will be able in the future to pay restitution.
6. If you are a public office holder or employee, you can be required to forfeit your office or job by virtue of your plea of guilty.
7. If you are not a United States citizen or national, you may be deported by virtue of your plea of guilty.
8. You must wait many years to expunge a first offense. 2C:52-3
9. You could be put on Probation.
10. You may be required to do Community Service.
