Facing a criminal charge can impact your life negatively. A
criminal record may hamper your ability to find employment, adopt children,
access higher education, rent, and lease. You may also lose rights and
privileges, such as child custody, driving, and owning firearms. And if you're
convicted of the charges, you may face house arrest, probation, or
imprisonment.
To mitigate and minimize the consequences, you'll need to
have a reputable criminal defense attorney by your side. Your attorney has
in-depth knowledge of criminal law and will help with all your case paperwork
and defend you to get the charges reduced or even dismissed.
If facing criminal charges, you may be unsure if you need a
criminal defense attorney. Read on to learn the signs that show you need to
hire a criminal defense lawyer for your case.
You’re Facing Charges
An obvious sign that you need to hire a criminal defense
attorney is if you're arrested and taken into custody for a crime. Criminal
defense lawyers are experts in criminal law and will help you understand the
charges against you, your rights, and the possible consequences of a
conviction.
Your lawyer has vital information that can be used to
create a robust defense strategy to your advantage. Criminal defense lawyers
also heighten the chances of negotiating a plea bargain to a lesser charge.
This step may get some of the charges dropped or help you to get a more lenient
sentence.
An experienced criminal defense attorney is invaluable in
determining if plea bargaining is an option depending on your case.
You're Taken In for Questioning
If you're a suspect in a crime, police may take you in for
questioning to gather information. However, during the questioning, you may
unknowingly end up saying things that might implicate you in the crime. To
avoid such, you'll need to talk to an attorney before you say anything during
questioning.
An attorney can give you legal advice and stop the police
from pressuring you into making a confession that could lead to your
conviction. A defense attorney also prevents the police from settling the case
without your knowledge.
You Have Insufficient Legal Knowledge
Criminal law can be very complex, and it may be difficult
to navigate the legal issue and build a strong defense without a clear
understanding of the law.
A criminal defense lawyer has the knowledge and experience
necessary to mount a successful defense on your behalf. Additionally, the
lawyer will offer legal guidance and fight for your rights and interests to
ensure the best legal outcome.
You're Innocent
If you haven't broken any laws, you'll need to prove your
innocence in a court of law. However, with the charges against you and the
prosecutor's evidence to support the charges, proving that you're innocent
might not be easy. You'll need a well-established criminal defense attorney to
deal with false accusations.
Criminal defense lawyers have up-to-date knowledge of the
legal system that offers an unbiased insight into the process that may be
otherwise inaccessible without a valid attorney. They will acknowledge legal
steps that can be used to resolve your case.
You've Been Arrested for the First Time
When arrested for the first time, you may not know how to
navigate the criminal justice system and could potentially make mistakes that
could jeopardize your case. Also, you may not know your rights and could be at
risk of making incriminating statements to the police or prosecutors.
If you've been arrested, you should contact a criminal
defense lawyer as soon as possible for legal representation, guidance, and
support throughout the process.
If you or your loved one is facing criminal charges, you'll
need to take the right step towards minimizing consequences and penalties. Contact us
at Mark J.
Geiger, Attorney at Law for personalized representation and attention to your
case for the best outcome.
