What are my Rights as a Defendant?
• You have a RIGHT TO BE INFORMED OF THE CHARGES AGAINST YOU. • You have the RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT concerning the charges against you, and anything you say may be held against you. • You may plead GUILTY or NOT GUILTY to certain non-indictable charges against you, such as: traffic offenses, disorderly persons offenses, and ordinances. If you are charged with an INDICTABLE offense, the Judge cannot ask for your plea because you have the right to request a probable cause hearing before the Judge and a trial by jury at the County level if the Grand Jury indicts you. There are, however, certain INDICTABLE offenses that may be tried by the Judge if you waive indictment and trial by jury in writing and the County Prosecutor consents. You have the right to be informed if you have been charged with such an offense. • You have the RIGHT TO RETAIN AN ATTORNEY. • You have the RIGHT TO BE ASSIGNED AN ATTORNEY IF: • you are charged with an indictable offense and the State Public Defender determine
