Facing criminal charges can be a stressful, overwhelming experience, and how you handle it can have a lasting impact on your future. You need a Brick Township criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect your rights and advocate for your best interests.
William Fay, Esq., has extensive experience defending clients charged with criminal and DWI offenses. He understands the gravity of your situation and has the knowledge and skills to build an aggressive strategy to defend your reputation and protect your future. Contact him today for your free, no-obligation consultation, where you can discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.
Why Hire William Fay for Your Brick Township Criminal Defense Matters?
When you’re facing criminal charges, having a determined, experienced lawyer by your side can make a significant difference. Mr. Fay’s deep experience and unique insight can help you with your case in the following ways:
- Insight from a Local Former Prosecutor – Fay is a born-and-bred New Jersey citizen and a former Deputy Attorney General with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. He has investigated and prosecuted countless criminal law cases, lending him unique insight into building a successful defense and protecting client rights.
- Personalized Defense Strategies –Every case is unique, which means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to criminal defense. Mr. Fay meticulously reviews all evidence and conducts a thorough evaluation of the specific circumstances to develop the most effective strategy.
- Clear and Consistent Communication – Fay makes himself accessible to clients, regularly communicating via direct cell phone. He won’t hand you off to a paralegal or legal assistant and leave you wondering where your case and your future stand.
- Client-Focused Services – Fay is results-driven and client-focused. While he remains aggressive and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome in the courtroom, he’s also compassionate and understanding outside of it.
Reach out today for your free, fully confidential case review.
Why Do You Need a Lawyer When Facing Criminal Charges?
Even seemingly minor charges can have severe consequences, including substantial fines and potential imprisonment. With so much riding on the outcome of your case, it’s critical to have a Brick Township criminal defense lawyer there to protect your rights. A skilled attorney can help in the following ways:
- Informing You of Your Rights – It’s critical to understand your legal rights and how to protect them when facing criminal charges. There are many ways you might compromise your case without even knowing it, unless you have a seasoned criminal defense attorney guiding you through the process.
- Providing Skilled Legal Guidance – Your attorney can look at the facts of your case, determine what the best, most realistic potential outcome can be, and guide you toward it. Without skilled legal guidance, it can be challenging to know, for example, when it’s best to negotiate a plea agreement or when you might want to proceed to trial.
- Offering a Deep Knowledge of Criminal Law – Criminal law cases can be incredibly complicated, and building a strong defense requires intimate knowledge of pertinent statutes, previous court decisions, potential defense strategies, and your Constitutional rights.
- Conducting a Thorough Investigation – The prosecution has law enforcement, investigators, and significant resources on their side to build a case against you. An experienced Brick Township Criminal Lawyer can help level the playing field by conducting their own in-depth investigation into the charges against you.
- Working with Experts – Depending on the nature of your case, expert testimony can potentially make a tremendous difference. For example, if the case involves DNA evidence, it requires an expert in the field to properly analyze and challenge the prosecution’s findings. A seasoned criminal defense attorney always has a network of experts to utilize in such situations.
What Types of Criminal Cases Does William Fay Handle?
Mr. Fay has extensive experience defending clients against a wide range of criminal charges in Brick Township. Some of the most common types of cases he handles include the following:
- Assault and Threat Offenses – Fay thoroughly examines the circumstances of the assault and threat allegations, analyzing the validity of the evidence and credibility of witness statements.
- Drug Offenses – For drug possession, distribution, or manufacturing charges, Mr. Fay evaluates evidence for procedural errors or rights violations that may challenge the prosecution’s case.
- DWI and DUI Offenses – Fay reviews breathalyzer results, field sobriety tests, and traffic stop procedures to identify any weaknesses in the collection of evidence or the case.
- Domestic Violence – These allegations are sensitive and can have far-reaching legal and personal consequences. Mr. Fay handles them discreetly and professionally.
- Juvenile Offenses – Rulings in juvenile cases can heavily impact a young person’s future. Mr. Fay advocates for juveniles with compassion and skill, seeking outcomes that prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration.
- Sexual Offenses – Fay meticulously evaluates evidence and investigates potential procedural errors to protect clients’ rights in these extremely sensitive cases.
- Theft and Fraud Offenses – Theft, burglary, and fraud allegations carry severe legal and financial penalties. Mr. Fay develops defenses designed to reduce or dismiss charges whenever possible.
- Weapons Offenses – Both weapons possession and use charges can carry mandatory penalties. Mr. Fay scrutinizes the facts of each case to build the strongest possible defense against these serious allegations.
- Expungements of Criminal Records – Fay assists clients in clearing eligible criminal records to restore opportunities in employment, education, housing, and finance.
- Bail Motions – Bail can significantly impact your ability to continue daily life while awaiting trial. Mr. Fay can argue that your circumstances qualify for pretrial release.
- Violations of Probation or Parole – Fay investigates claims of probation or parole violations and presents evidence and arguments to mitigate consequences and protect your rights.
- Restraining Order Hearings – When you need skilled representation at a restraining order hearing, Mr. Fay can be there to protect your rights and see that your voice is heard.
What Are Potential Legal Defenses to Charges You Are Facing?
Legal defenses vary depending on the charges, the evidence, and the specific circumstances of the case, but typically, your attorney will look into one or more of the following:
- Challenging Evidence – Fay may examine whether evidence was obtained legally, challenge the accuracy of forensic tests, investigate chain of custody issues, and argue that certain evidence may improperly sway the jury’s decision.
- Witness Credibility – Witness accounts are not always reliable. Mr. Fay will review statements to identify inconsistencies and scrutinize potential motives of the witness in question.
- Procedural Errors – Mistakes by law enforcement or the prosecution can lead to dismissal or reduction of charges. This can include missed filing deadlines, improperly conducted interrogations, improper arrests, and search or seizure without a valid warrant.
- Self-Defense – In cases involving physical altercations, Mr. Fay evaluates whether actions were justified and protects clients under applicable self-defense laws.
- Mistaken Identity – In instances where the accused may have been incorrectly identified as the perpetrator, Mr. Fay will work to disprove witness claims and establish the defendant’s alibi.
What Are the Degrees of Crimes in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, crimes are classified into four categories or “degrees.” The degree of a crime indicates its severity, as well as the potential penalties you might face if convicted. They are as follows:
- First-Degree Crimes – The most serious offenses. First-degree crimes often carry penalties of 10 to 20 years in prison. Examples include aggravated sexual assault, armed robbery, kidnapping, manslaughter, and murder.
- Second-Degree Crimes – These crimes are punishable by five to 10 years in prison. Examples include certain drug trafficking crimes, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
- Third-Degree Crimes – Third-degree crimes carry penalties of three to five years in prison. Examples include simple assault, theft, fraud cases, and burglary.
- Fourth-Degree Crimes – Fourth-degree crimes are the lowest level of indictable crime. They are punishable by fines up to $10,000 and a maximum of 18 months in prison. Examples include harassment, resisting arrest, and forgery.
What Steps Should You Take If You Have Been Arrested?
Protecting your rights and building your defense against criminal charges begins from the moment you are arrested. You should do the following:
- Request an Attorney – You have the Constitutional right to legal representation, and you should exercise that right as soon as possible. A skilled attorney can guide you through the next steps of the process and help you avoid critical errors that may jeopardize your future.
- Remain Silent – You also have the right to remain silent. Exercising this right is essential during this process. It doesn’t matter what actually happened, what the arresting officers say, or what message you wish to convey. Speaking to the police can only harm your case.
- Keep Calm and Be Respectful – Being arrested can be an intensely stressful experience, but you must remain calm and address the arresting officers respectfully. Request a lawyer and politely state that you’re exercising your right to remain silent.
- Remember Key Details – Commit as many details about the events leading up to, during, and after your arrest to memory as you possibly can, then write it all down as soon as possible. This information may offer insight your attorney can use to build your defense.
- Follow Your Attorney’s Advice – The stakes are as high as possible, and your attorney is your strongest ally. Listening carefully to their advice and following it to the letter is essential.
Contact a Brick Township Criminal Defense Attorney Today
You don’t need to face your criminal charges alone. William Fay, Esq., offers compassionate support and aggressive advocacy as you fight to protect your rights, your reputation, and your future. Contact him today for your free, no-obligation consultation.