If you have been charged with a crime, you need to have a legal professional on your team. Jail and prison are both serious consequences, and the choice you make for representation can make a huge impact on how your criminal charges are handled. A qualified criminal defense attorney can help you with various aspects of the case to ensure a better outcome than if you tried to do it on your own.
When charged with a crime, many accused folks believe that everyone presumes them guilty. This is the result of interactions with the police and other legal professionals during the arrest and processing. Being handcuffed and locked behind bars can seriously impact your self-image, even if you were bailed out quickly.
Fortunately for you, you are not considered legally guilty just because you were arrested. It is on the district attorney and the other government representatives to prove your guilt. If you are innocent, you might think that you can just take care of the defense on your own rather than invest in an attorney. However, this can end up getting you in serious hot water. Guilty or innocent, you need to have a defense attorney present your case to the courts. Not only will they help to protect your rights, they can advise you on the best way to proceed during the upcoming months.
Just because you have been charged with a crime doesn’t mean that you are going to sit in front of a judge and jury to present your side of things. Your attorney will be able to look at the evidence and request a total dismissal if they believe the case is weak. Even if the case is fairly strong, the legal system doesn’t require that you go to trial. Instead, your attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor’s office in order to have charges reduced or thrown out. This can keep you out of jail in some instances.
In order for your case to be heard, your attorney will review all of the facts, including any constitutional issues related to the arrest. Misdemeanors and felonies can both have serious life-long consequences. A good attorney will have the ability and knowledge to reduce the negative impact the situation has on the rest of your life. Criminal charges can relate to a wide range of activities, from cyber crimes to drunk driving. If you have been accused, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney fast!