If you have been charged with a crime, the first step is finding a New Jersey attorney that you trust. Leon Matchin is just the guy for the job! He has many years of experience under his belt, defending clients. He creates strong defenses that help get charges dismissed or downgraded. It is crucial to set up a consultation with your attorney as soon as possible. It is important to show up to the meeting prepared. The more information you bring, the better chance the attorney has at building a solid case. Read on to learn about 4 things you should bring with you to the first meeting with your attorney.

Notebook and Pen 

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Before you go to your meeting, sit down with a notebook and pen and write down some questions that you have for your attorney. Your consultation meeting is the perfect time to get these questions answered and to feel more reassured about the process. Do some online research about what to expect during this process and use that as a guide to forming your questions. Remember, no question is a silly question! Ask whatever is on your mind. Here are some example questions to ask your attorney:

  • How much will this cost?
  • What is the estimated time frame of this process?
  • Do you think my case will go to trial?
  • What do I need to know about how to act in court?
  • Information you need from me?
  • What are your ideas about potential defenses for my case?
  • Are you experienced with this type of case?
  • What do you think I can expect as far as potential downgrades or dismissals of my charges?
  • How should I communicate with you?
  • What happens next if my charges do get dropped or downgraded?

In addition to bringing a list of questions. The notebook and pen can be used during the meeting to take notes. Your attorney will be giving you a lot of information and sometimes it can seem overwhelming. Without writing down this information, you risk forgetting what is said. Write down anything that you feel is important to remember. 

Important Documents 

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Official documents are a big part of building a successful case. These documents can work in your favor and serve as evidence. This could include documents like police reports, the arrest record, your driving record, any relevant medical records, and information about potential witnesses. After discussing the case, your attorney may request additional documents that will help your case. Before the initial meeting, sift through all your documents and bring in as much as possible. When it comes to creating a defense for your case, the more official documents, the better. 

Any Evidence You Can Provide to Your New Jersey Attorney

If you have something that could serve as evidence that is not an official document, bring that as well. An example would be a text message showing that domestic violence was present in the home, proving that the defendant acted out of self defense. Another example could be photographs from the scene of a car accident. Social media posts, emails, and voicemails are also things that could potentially help your case.

Before your initial consultation, take the time to think and brainstorm pieces of evidence that could help your case. While it is no guarantee that a photo or text message will be able to be used in your case, it is always important to give this information to your lawyer. Along with the evidence, be sure that you are able to explain to the attorney how the evidence is related to your case. It can be helpful to write these things down before your consultation so you don’t leave out any important details about the evidence you are providing. Remember, no piece of evidence is too small!  Keep this simple rule of thumb in mind: If something is related to your case in any way, bring it to your lawyer. 

A Positive Attitude 

Last but not least, bring a positive attitude to your meeting. After you have been charged with a crime it can feel nearly impossible to have a positive attitude. Bringing a positive attitude to your attorney meeting can be extremely helpful to your case as well as your mental health. If you have the desire and motivation to get these charges downgraded or dismissed, then you will have a much better chance than if you simply succumb to the charges and carry sorrow and negativity. Being positive and striving to work with your attorney will make your defense that much better. We know times are hard, but this is your chance to get your life back. If your case goes to trial, it is extremely important that you continue to maintain this positive attitude in addition to being respectful and polite while in court. 

How A New Jersey Attorney Can Help

The first step after receiving a charge is to get a New Jersey attorney. It is very difficult to successfully navigate charges on your own. You have a much better shot of getting charges dismissed or downgraded if you have an attorney on your side. An attorney such as Leon Matchin has years of experience defending clients in a wide range of crimes and violations. He understands how to build a solid case. He knows what works and what doesn’t. The most important thing is to not go into your first meeting blind. Come prepared with questions, documents, a positive attitude, and a family member or friend for moral support. For more information about working with a lawyer and how they can help defend your case, call Leon Matchin today at 732-887-2479, or contact him via email at [email protected].