Civil Rights and the Criminal Law- a step-by-step checklist from arrest to arraignment Just been arrested? Don't panic; help is at hand. If you find yourself charged with a crime in NJ, you will need a Criminal Lawyer in NJ with the right experience to defend you; whether your crime is drug trafficking charges in Cook County, IL, or white collar crimes in Cook County. Whatever you have been charged with, Criminal Lawyer Andrew Weisberg – a specialist in NJ Criminal Defense– demonstrates a wealth of experience in Criminal and Civil Law to help bring your case to justice. The following article is designed to summarize your experiences from arrest to arraignment during which a Criminal Attorney in NJ comes to your rescue, and how a Criminal Lawyer in NJ will approach your case and help you to continue with your life. What happens when I find myself under arrest in New Jersey? When an individual is arrested by a member of the Police Force on suspicion of committing a criminal or civil offence , the person charged with the offence is taken to the nearest Police Station to be charged with a crime. The arrest process 1. Arrest; The initial charge and subsequent arrest take place. 2. Booking; this is the official way of recognizing that you have been charged with a crime and are to be temporarily detained as a result. 3. Bail Hearing; once you have been charged, arrested and booked, you will then proceed to the next stage; Bail. When an individual is on remand, waiting to be tried, they will appear before a Criminal Court. During a Bail hearing • The Criminal Court judge reads out the charges against you. • You will be identified as ‘the Defendant' during this process. • The judge will ask if you have legal representation, or if you are in need of a state-appointed legal representative. • You will be asked (and must answer) to the charges; either ‘guilty', ‘not guilty' or ‘no contest'. • The judge will set a Bail amount (a fee which must be levied otherwise you will await your court hearing in a penal or remand institution), or will permit you to remain free while awaiting trial. They may also decide to release you entirely. • The judge appoints a court date for your hearing. What are my rights?