Fred Sisto | Criminal Attorney | Ocean and Monmouth County

Call Us Today
732-898-3232

  • Home
  • Criminal Defense Services
    ▼
    • Drug Crimes
      ▼
      • Drug Manufacturing
      • Intent to Distribute Narcotics
      • Prescription Drug Crimes
      • Leader of Narcotics Trafficking Network
    • Weapons Charges
      ▼
      • Prohibited Weapons and Devices
      • Manufacture, Transport, etc. of Weapons
      • Illegal Possession of a Gun
      • Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes
    • Expungements
    • Theft Attorney
    • Violent Crimes
      ▼
      • Robbery/Burglary
      • Manslaughter
      • Extortion
      • Assault
      • Sexual Offenses
    • Arson
    • DUI / DWI
      ▼
      • Alcohol DUI
      • Drug DUI
      • Refusing a Breath Test
    • Driving with A Suspended License
    • Property Forfeiture
    • Anti-Drug Profiteering
    • Juvenile Delinquency
  • Español / Spanish Speaking Attorney
  • About
    ▼
    • Testimonials
    • Defending Cases In
      ▼
      • Monmouth County
      • Ocean County
  • Blog
  • Contact
    ▼
    • Receive a Call From Fred
  • DUI Checkpoint Alerts
  • Results
  • Payment Options
  • Home
  • Criminal Defense Services
    • Drug Crimes
      • Drug Manufacturing
      • Intent to Distribute Narcotics
      • Prescription Drug Crimes
      • Leader of Narcotics Trafficking Network
    • Weapons Charges
      • Prohibited Weapons and Devices
      • Manufacture, Transport, etc. of Weapons
      • Illegal Possession of a Gun
      • Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes
    • Expungements
    • Theft Attorney
    • Violent Crimes
      • Robbery/Burglary
      • Manslaughter
      • Extortion
      • Assault
      • Sexual Offenses
    • Arson
    • DUI / DWI
      • Alcohol DUI
      • Drug DUI
      • Refusing a Breath Test
    • Driving with A Suspended License
    • Property Forfeiture
    • Anti-Drug Profiteering
    • Juvenile Delinquency
  • Español / Spanish Speaking Attorney
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • Defending Cases In
      • Monmouth County
      • Ocean County
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Receive a Call From Fred
  • DUI Checkpoint Alerts
  • Results
  • Payment Options
Home >> Thinking about representing yourself in court? Think again.

October 10, 2015 by Fred Sisto

Thinking about representing yourself in court? Think again.

Representing Yourself in CourtWhen involved in a criminal case, you will eventually have to choose between either having an attorney at your side or representing yourself.  If you do choose to represent yourself (appear “pro se”), then you will have much more work ahead of you than just arguing your case. For starters, you will have to answer dozens of prescribed questions before you can convince a judge that he or she is required to let you represent yourself. Pro se defendants complicate the process for judges. They will be looking for a way to force you to pay for an attorney. And a “bargain” priced attorney is usually just looking to convince you to plead guilty so that they do not have to put in the time and effort required to beat the government.  Here are some of the additional obstacles that you would need to overcome before representing yourself in court.

You need to know the court process for your hearing.

The judge in your case will have limited patience in walking you through the required procedures.  You will need to understand all of the processes involved.  Some of these include: filing the proper paperwork, selecting jurors, questioning a witness, reviewing evidence presented by the prosecutor, objecting to the prosecution’s questions, and a plethora of others. Note that most lawyers do not even know how to introduce an exhibit into evidence because most lawyers have very little courtroom experience when it comes to contesting the government’s case. The process is difficult. Even if you have evidence that clears you of all wrongdoing, it is worthless without an understanding of the applicable Rules of Evidence. Without that understanding, you will not be able to introduce your proofs into evidence.

You need to fully understand the law you are accused of breaking and the history of it.

Do you understand how this law came to be?  Were there significant Supreme Court cases on the issue?  Was the law changed recently due to a similar case on the matter?  You will need to know the answer to all of these questions before even considering self-representation.  The history and minute details of the law along with the relevant facts of your case and how you present them will determine whether or not you are convicted.

You will need to present your case in a better fashion than an experienced lawyer.

As a “pro se” defendant, you will more than likely face a prosecuting attorney with years of experience and expertise.  Even if you do take the time to completely familiarize yourself with the court processes and the law in question, you will still face this obstacle.  No amount of research or time that you dedicate to the case will neutralize the knowledge of the law and intangibles possessed by a veteran attorney. Additionally, if your attorney makes a significant mistake at trial, you can have your conviction overturned later at at post-conviction relief (PCR) hearing. When you go “pro se”, you waive your right to a PCR hearing and are forced to live with any mistakes that you make.

Call An Experienced, Monmouth and Ocean County Criminal Attorney

Representing yourself is not a decision to take lightly and you must fully understand the risks before doing so.  Call Fred Sisto today at 732-898-3232 to have an experienced professional on your side during this complicated process.

Filed Under: Blog, Criminal Law, Know Your Rights Tagged With: Criminal Law, Legal Procedures

Testimonials

Fred is a stickler for detail and communicates with clients very, very well. He is smart and astute. I would recommend him unconditionally.

Tom O   

I would highly recommend Mr. Sisto. He is very insightful and proficient, yet still down to Earth. Fred is great at communicating and breaking down the facts. But most importantly, he excels at getting results.

Bill K   

Thanks to Fred I have no criminal record whatsoever.

Luke A   

Great!!! , got my case handled in the exact manner that I was told and would recommend to everyone else in need of legal representation.

Raumelis R   
See More Testimonials

Recent Posts

  • Plea Agreements and New Charges (Part 1)
  • Youth and Withholding Imprisonment (Part 2)
  • Youth and Withholding Imprisonment (Part 1)
  • Marijuana and Diversionary Programs (Part 4)
  • Marijuana and Diversionary Programs (Part 3)
  • Marijuana and Diversionary Programs (Part 2)
  • Marijuana and Diversionary Programs (Part 1)
  • Jurisdiction and Subsequent Prosecutions (Part 2)

Recent Speaking Engagement

Site Disclaimer

Attorney Referral Fees

Frederick P Sisto has earned Lawyer Legion's recognition for Community Leadership
 
Top Criminal Defense Attorney in Brick

Law Office of Frederick P. Sisto

Point Pleasant Office*:
302 Hawthorne Ave, Suite 1
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Brick Township Office*:
223 Drum Point Road, Suite 1
Brick Township, NJ 08723

Sea Girt Office*:
2150 NJ-35,
Suite 225
Sea Girt, NJ 08750

Phone: 732-898-3232
Fax: 201-508-3393
*Office visits by appointment only.

Representing clients throughout all court jurisdictions of New Jersey.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CRIMINAL TRIAL ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION, NO ASPECT OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

en English
en Englishes Spanish