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Federal criminal charges can carry extensive penalties, including lengthy prison sentences or major financial consequences. Moreover, the presence of a federal offense on one’s criminal record can preclude that person from obtaining an employment position or gaining admission to an academic institution. To avoid these results, working with a New Jersey federal criminal defense lawyer throughout the process is essential – but, what should a criminal defendant look for when contacting New Jersey federal criminal defense attorneys?
Understanding Criminal vs. Civil Representation
If you are facing your first criminal offense and are looking for representation, it helps to understand the differences between New Jersey federal criminal defense attorneys and those attorneys that practice predominantly civil work. A civil attorney is one who represents clients in individual, private lawsuits. These generally involve a personal injury, allegations of civil monetary fraud or a breach of contract. By contrast, a criminal defense attorney defends against criminal charges filed by the state or federal government under the applicable penal code. The government is the plaintiff and the accused is the defendant. When choosing a New Jersey criminal defense attorney for a federal case, your best bet is to select a representative who focuses almost 100 percent on federal criminal defense work.
