At your initial court appearance, the judge will formally present the charges, and there may be an argument over bail or the conditions of your release. Both the prosecutor and your attorney will have the opportunity to make oral arguments. Having an experienced lawyer by your side helps protect your rights and reduces the risk of costly mistakes at this critical stage.

A lawyer examines the government’s calculations against financial records, repayments, collateral values, and recovered funds. The review also considers which losses relate to the alleged conduct and which credits apply under sentencing rules. Financial experts help assess complex records when needed. Challenging an overstated loss figure helps your attorney argue for an accurate sentencing calculation.

Look for a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer with experience handling self-defense claims in assault cases. Matthew Cohan and his team examine the threat you faced, the force used, and each person’s actions. They gather video, witness statements, photographs, medical records, and messages to support your account and challenge incomplete descriptions of the confrontation.