When one is charged with a crime, the fallout can be devastating to one’s private, professional, and social life. However, being charged does not necessarily mean that one will be found guilty; a good attorney can always help pursue a verdict of “not guilty” or a reduced sentence, or even help one avoid a trial altogether. It is very important to protect oneself and one’s interests in the event that one is charged with a crime, as is the right of all US citizens. If you are dealing with this situation currently, or you think you may be dealing with it soon, it is in your best interests to contact a criminal defense firm or attorney; with his or her help, you can ensure that you do not come out of this difficult experience worse off than you need to be.
Charges
Although your attorney will defend you and counsel you, it is important for you to understand your charge. Each charge has different classifications and different consequences; being charged with driving under the influence, for example, is radically different from being charged with assault. If you are not certain about your charge and the implications therein, you can ask your attorney. This will help you know what is happening and where it may go in the near future. Additionally, you may want to speak to your attorney about common plea bargains and your chances of being acquitted. If you are honest and respectful of your attorney, he or she will return the favor and you can work together to avoid unnecessarily harsh punishments, long and painful trials, and other such unpleasant happenings.
Your Duties
You will primarily be called upon to provide information. It is the prosecutor’s job to gather and present evidence of your guilt, regardless of whether or not you are guilty; this must be hard evidence that will convince a jury beyond reasonable doubt. Fortunately, you will be able to protect yourself against this by providing accurate, factual information about your situation. Even if you are guilty of the crime of which you have been accused, the more information you give to your attorney, the more likely it is that you can receive a reduced sentence or take a plea bargain. This is an important part of keeping your life together and giving yourself options, so even if you do not think your information is worth very much, you should provide it anyway and let your attorney sort out the useful from the useless.
Why Hire an Attorney?
If you have been charged with something, you have probably been arrested. This means that you probably know that you, as a US citizen, have the right to an attorney. You may have also been told that a court-appointed attorney may be provided. Although this may seem like an easier option, there are several reasons to avoid it. Firstly, court-appointed criminal defense attorneys have many cases. They cannot spend a significant amount of time with a single client, as they have many others to counsel and defend. This will ultimately leave less time for you to discuss your case and work out a plan of action. Secondly, it is possible that you do not qualify for a court-appointed attorney at all; if you make a certain amount of money or do not fit certain requirements, you will not be able to make use of a court-appointed attorney. Whatever your reason, hiring a private attorney will yield much better results.