At least in the initial stages of your contact with police, it's up to you to protect your rights under the United States Constitution. The more you know about your rights, the better off you may be if you end up facing criminal charges at some point in the future.

One of the areas where many people continue to have questions is when it comes to searches and seizures. For instance, would you know what to do if police came knocking on the door of your home? Do you have to let them in? Should you even open the door?

You've surely felt the impact of your criminal record far beyond serving jail time and paying fines. It's immediately made it more difficult to find a place to live or get a job. How long will this last?

When a police officer pulls you over, it can be a dreaded ending to an otherwise enjoyable evening. You may not have felt as if you had much to worry about because you were not speeding, did not have your phone in your hand and did not consume much alcohol, if any, while out with friends. Still, seeing those flashing blue lights can cause an increased heart rate in anyone.

When the officer approached your vehicle, you remained polite, provided your driver's license and any other requested documentation, and tried to do your best to get out of there quickly. Unfortunately, the officer seemed to suspect that something else was going on. Maybe he or she smelled alcohol or thought your eyes looked bloodshot. Whatever the case, the officer asked you to step out of the vehicle.

Facing any type of criminal charge can come with serious consequences in the event of a conviction. However, each charge and type of crime is different, which means that the repercussions and possible sentences are also different. When charged with a crime, it is important that New Jersey residents understand what is at stake.

Authorities may have recently accused you of some type of theft crime. You may think that the entire matter is a misunderstanding or that the police have wrongfully accused you, but nonetheless, you are in a situation where you must defend against serious allegations in efforts to work toward a favorable outcome.