If you have been charged with a crime and you are innocent, you are not alone. Wrongful convictions are alarmingly common, and far more people escape conviction after being accused of crimes they did not commit. Unfortunately, simply being innocent is not enough. If you have been charged with a crime, you need to defend yourself by all means available—and this is true regardless of the circumstances at hand.
To defend against your criminal charge under New Jersey law, you will need to hire an experienced Essex County criminal defense attorney. Your defense attorney will evaluate the prosecution’s case and put together a defense strategy focused on the evidence against you. As you move forward, here are some key facts you need to know:
It Is Possible to Prove Innocence in Many Cases
Often, it is possible to prove innocence in a criminal case. If you have a clear alibi, for example, then there may be no question that someone else committed the crime in question. However, proving innocence requires evidence, and your defense attorney will need to determine whether sufficient evidence is available to present your innocence defense in court.
Proving Your Innocence Isn’t Strictly Necessary
Proving your innocence is not your only option for avoiding a conviction. To convict you, the prosecutor’s office must prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Even if you can’t prove your innocence, if you can challenge the prosecution’s evidence of guilt, this can be enough to save you from a conviction at trial.
Your Defense Attorney Will Work to Obtain a Pre-Trial Resolution
If you are innocent, your defense attorney can work to obtain a pre-trial resolution. If there are clear flaws in the prosecution’s case, your attorney may be able to use this to have your charge dismissed before trial.
If You Have to Go to Court, You Will Need to Make Some Important Decisions
In some cases, the evidence can point to a person being guilty even if he or she was nowhere near the crime scene at the time it was committed. If prosecutors are convinced they have a case, then you may need to fight your charge at trial. If this is the case, you will need to work with your Essex County criminal defense attorney to answer important questions such as:
- Do you want a jury trial or a bench trial?
- If you want a jury trial, what are the key characteristics you want in your jurors?
- Should you testify in your own defense?
- Who else can you rely on to testify for you?
- Should you assert an innocence defense, or should you focus on a different strategy?
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With an Essex County Criminal Defense Attorney
Are you facing a criminal charge in New Jersey? If so, you can contact us 24/7 for a free, no-obligation consultation. To discuss your case with Essex County criminal defense attorney Scott Gorman in confidence, call 973-796-3800 or tell us how we can reach you online now.
Published in Categories: Criminal Defense
