According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there were over 10 million arrests in the United States in 2019. The most commonly labeled charges were property crime, drug abuse violations, and simple assault.
If you’ve been charged with a crime, you need to have a strong legal team. That will ensure you have the best possible chance at having charges dropped or reduced. And you also won’t have to worry about jeopardizing yourself by representing yourself.
The sooner you get in touch with a criminal defense lawyer, the better your chances are of putting criminal charges behind you. To understand why it’s so important to hire an attorney, let’s look at how the system operates. Also, be sure to visit us for more information here.
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What Happens When You’ve Been Charged With a Crime?
If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, it’s useful to understand the process. All states have rules that govern the criminal process, so it’s important to find a criminal defense attorney from your state.
When police believe a crime has taken place and they have a suspect, the suspect gets arrested and taken to jail. The arresting officer and the prosecutor draft a complaint while an investigation occurs.
Once the investigation is complete, the complaint is filed with the magistrate judge. The judge can issue an arrest warrant or summons, as well as set bail. If you are released without bail or make bail, you need to make sure you show up to your scheduled court appearance.
If you find yourself in a position where you’re being arrested, it’s important to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Defense Attorneys Understand Criminal Law
A good criminal defense attorney such as https://dmcantor.com has a comprehensive understanding of criminal law. The legal system is complex, and while you have the legal right to represent yourself in a criminal matter, you’ll improve your chances of winning your case and having the charges dropped.
If you’re unrepresented, the prosecutor will likely consider you an easy target. However, your defense attorney can assess the facts of your case, evaluate the evidence being presented, and determine if any loopholes will work in your favor.
It’s also beneficial to have a criminal defense attorney that knows the system and people you’re dealing with. For example, criminal attorneys regularly interact with prosecutors and judges, so they know how the system operates and may be aware of what arguments will work best in your favor.
Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Reduce Fines and Penalties
The prosecutor for your case will do everything they can to get the maximum fines or sentencing. If you know you’ve been falsely accused of a crime, it can be overwhelming and even terrifying to know that you could have to pay the price for something you didn’t do.
When a criminal defense attorney investigates your case, they will look at possibilities for acquittal. If your case proceeds to trial, your attorney will play a role in jury selection to remove jurors they believe may be biased against your case.
After jury selection but before the trial, your lawyer could attempt to negotiate a plea bargain. If not, your case will proceed to trial and sentencing will take place.
Your attorney will do everything on your behalf to ensure you are found innocent. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.
Even if you’re found guilty, a good attorney will ensure you get a fair penalty. That often means searching for ways to reduce the sentence or fine. Depending on the situation, there’s also the possibility of filing an appeal.
A Good Lawyer Can Get Your Case Through the System Quickly
Depending on your criminal charges, you could be looking at a lengthy battle. A quality attorney will have the skills and abilities to get your case through the system as fast as possible.
Not only will moving your case through the system save you time, but it will also save you money. Instead of dealing with legal paperwork and having conversations with parties that could potentially jeopardize your case, you can spend time at work or with your family while your attorney handles those matters.
One of the ways your lawyer could expedite your case is by hiring a private investigator or expert witness to support your side of events. In addition, your attorney will have access to outside resources that will improve your chances of pursuing a successful case and having charges dropped or reduced.
Attorneys Are Legal and Emotional Support
While your criminal defense attorney is first and foremost your legal representative, they can act as emotional support too. You can talk to them about anything related to your case–even if it’s something you may not be comfortable talking about with friends or family.
If you’ve never worked with a criminal attorney before, you want to find someone who has experience and compassion. Those with criminal charges are often seen as guilty before proven innocent, even though that’s not how the justice system should work. With the right lawyer, you will feel supported throughout the entire process.
Your Lawyer Is on Your Side
No matter what your charges are, you can rest assured that your lawyer is on your side 100 percent and devoted to defending you. Criminal defense lawyers are legally and morally bound to defend their clients. Their job is to represent you and find the best solution possible to your situation.
Not only will they help you understand complex charges and penalties, but they will make sure you are not taken advantage of by the system. You won’t have to worry about getting tricked into a bad situation when you have an attorney you can rely on.
Contact An Experienced Attorney Today
If you’ve been charged with a crime, you don’t have to face the battle alone. The legal team from Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C. is ready to help.
The sooner you get in touch with us after you know about pending charges, the more time we will have to build a strong case on your behalf.