Even if you are charged with a minor crime and it was simply a case where you made a mistake, it’s important to retain a strong criminal defense lawyer to challenge the allegations.  Importantly, if you are ever arrested again in the future, that past “minor” crime will be on your record to influence how your subsequent case is handled. In many minor cases involving first offenders, we can take advantage of pre-trial intervention and other diversionary programs in New Jersey to avoid conviction altogether.