Criminal Defense
Do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?
It’s crucial to not only have a criminal defense attorney by your side before, during, and after your trial but you also need to have the right lawyer. Without the proper knowledge of criminal law, you could spend years behind bars and be fined thousands of dollars. Even seemingly minor charges can result in serious fines and a criminal record that can follow you for the rest of your life.
Even if you haven’t been officially charged with an offense and are just under suspicion, you need someone to protect your rights. Our Scranton criminal law firm will work to get the charges dismissed or dropped altogether before your legal situation gets even more complicated.
Why Choose a Private Criminal Lawyer Instead of a Public Defender?
This is a question we hear a lot: Why should you spend the money on a private criminal attorney to handle your case instead of just sticking with the public defender? And the answer is simple — you get what you pay for.
there are two types of charges:
A misdemeanor is a non-violent offense, such as drug possession or drunk driving. A misdemeanor charge can result in various penalties ranging from a simple fine or probation to a more restrictive sentence such as home confinement or incarceration.
Felony charges are considered a more serious crime with a heftier punishment — anywhere from seven to 20 years in prison. Usually, violent crimes such as homicide or rape, a felony charge often applies to repeat offenses of the same type of crime.
breaks down the severity of each crime into one of three classifications: first, second and third-degree.
Crimes of the first-degree in either a misdemeanor or felony charge are the most severe for that crime.
Second-degree crimes are less severe charges than crimes of the first-degree but still have longer prison terms or larger fines.
Crimes of the third-degree are the least severe but still have penalties.
Attorneys for Criminal, DUI, and Driver’s License Restoration Cases
The Sentencing – It all Comes Down to This
In the Drunk Driving section of this site, I explored “The Importance of the Voice of your Lawyer.” While there is no need to repeat what is posted there, that same concept of the lawyer as a persuader of opinion applies every bit as much to criminal cases as it does to DUI cases. After all, DUI cases are just a kind of criminal case, anyway. In any criminal or DUI case, success is best measured by what does NOT happen to you
Throughout my various blog articles, I examine every aspect of criminal cases, from the moment of first police contact, to what happens at the first court date right up through the final outcome.
Good or bad, that final outcome of any case, and what matters most, is the result. Thus, if a person goes to court for a suspended license charge and gets locked up for 10 days, then that’s a bad result.
On the other hand, if someone goes to court on a possession of marijuana charge, and they whole thing is kept off their record and all they have to do is pay a fine, that’s a good result.
One of the most important is to be thoroughly prepared to do well on the pre-sentence investigation, or PSI. The PSI involves you providing background information about yourself and the offense itself. It often includes completing a written substance abuse evaluation (even in non-alcohol and non-drug related cases), and always concludes with you being interviewed by a probation officer.
Things You Should Consider When Choosing A Criminal Defense Lawyer
Being charged with a serious criminal offense can be emotionally and financially stressful. Even if the case is still in the process of adjudication, the mere accusation can destroy your life and that of your family. It can cause a lot of hardships, such as difficulty in getting a job, experiencing prejudice from society, and many more.
Due to these unfortunate circumstances, it’s always crucial to hire a dedicated criminal defense lawyer who can advocate for you and fight for your freedom against the criminal charges. However, given the variety of lawyers to choose from, it’s sometimes challenging to find the right one for your needs. Without a thorough background check, you can make your situation worse.
Specialization
In such a case, it can be a great idea to choose a legal professional who concentrates on the type of crime that’s related to yours. This means that they should have valuable years of experience in handling cases concerning that area of criminal defense. Moreover, they should also be equipped with the latest techniques, developments, and rules necessary for navigating your situation properly and without trouble. And, due to their experience, they should possess a level of competence in providing strong legal representation.
Reputation
Choosing an attorney with an excellent reputation can reassure you that you’re heading to the right path. With several choices online, you cannot tell who the perfect one for your case is without checking their reputation.
To research a lawyer’s reputation, you should consider the following:
Words Of Mouth – If you know someone who previously worked with a criminal defense lawyer, you can generate unbiased opinions regarding the attorney’s performance. If you can’t obtain some referrals, look for websites that provide a comprehensive listing of attorneys. When you encounter someone with a history of verdicts and settlements and awards, it can be the right professional for you.
State Bar Associations – To practice law in your area, the lawyer needs to be licensed to do so. This is where the state bar associations come into play. These associations can help you determine whether the legal professional has an active license. Also, you can check with these organizations if they have complaints coming from their clients. This means that the disciplinary record should be taken into consideration when choosing a reputable lawyer in your area.
Exceptional Qualities
Typically, most criminal lawyers defend the rights of those being accused of a crime. Whether they’re guilty or not, it’s their primary duty to represent and protect their clients. And, in doing so, they should possess good qualities to ensure that they fill that legal role. These might include:
Research Skills – Of course, your lawyer, whose task is to fight for your case, should have exceptional research skills. This means they should know how to find cases that they can use as part of their defense strategy. Also, they should be able to review the circumstances of your arrest because the police authorities might have overlooked an urgent matter that can affect your case.
Perseverance – This means your criminal defense lawyer should exhaust all possible options to help you get out of legal trouble. For example, if your case will be tried, they should make the most out of many defense strategies to convince the judge that you’re not guilty.
Excellent Communication Skills – Aside from being a speaker, your lawyer should also be a good listener. They should know how to listen to what you say and communicate with you so that you understand what they’re saying clearly and quickly.
Analytical Skills – This means your legal counsel always uses their mind, especially in negotiating a settlement, making an argument in the courtroom, and many more. They should be capable of making quick judgments that are useful to your defense.
Integrity – More than anything else, your lawyer should show a high level of integrity when dealing with your case. They should be transparent about the progress of your case and the possible outcome of the trial.
Negotiating Skills – They should make the best deal for you, especially when it comes to negotiating agreements with the prosecutor and the judge assigned to your case.
Courtroom Performance – To make full benefit of the court proceedings, your criminal defense attorney should observe proper courtroom demeanor so that they shouldn’t be intimidated by the judge. They should be formal in representing your interests and ensure to follow the proper court rules.
Good Relationship With The Police Officer – This means your legal counsel should have a good relationship with the police officer so they can gather information from them. The police authorities’ knowledge about the case can help them analyze the evidence being used against you.
Confidence – Always choose a lawyer who is confident enough to provide legal representation. Although they can also create a good case for you, they still don’t know what’s going to be the verdict of the court. So, consider a confident legal professional, but not someone who promises outcomes they can’t even guarantee.
Confidentiality – Your lawyer should be able to observe the utmost confidentiality in dealing with your personal information. Not letting the information get out can help prevent your exposure to external biases. Also, the leakage can cause some conflicts of interest, which can only worsen your situation. Make sure your attorney knows how to investigate the matter without discussing it with other people.
Compassionate – Although your lawyer shouldn’t invest any emotions in your case, they should care for you and the legal consequences of your conviction. They should also show some support to you and your family, especially when the verdict’s implications can have a long-term impact on your future.
Experience In Trial
Most criminal charges go to trial, and when this happens, you probably need a criminal defense lawyer’s assistance with good trial experience. Primarily, trial experience is a vital factor in picking the right person for your case because they have to walk into the courtrooms, defend your side, and negotiate for a plea agreement.
You’re Not Alone & It’s Not Too Late
Result Driven Criminal Defense
Criminal charges should never be taken lightly. The system will move quickly, and without counsel, you may say things that hurt your case or receive a punishment you don’t deserve.
You need a criminal defense attorney with the experience, skill, and commitment to secure the best possible outcome. Criminal Lawyers, pride ourselves on winning and have successfully handled countless criminal cases from DUI and drug charges to major felony trials, sex offenses, and violent crimes.
Drug Crimes
From simple possession to trafficking, and cultivation, when accused of a drug crime in Alabama, your first step should be to secure an aggressive defense lawyer. This gives you the best possible chance of getting your charges reduced or even dropped. lawyers are highly skilled in these cases, how lab tests are performed, and how drug cases are pursued.
The consequences of a theft conviction can be surprisingly harsh. While offenses like shoplifting are considered fairly minor, the severity increases with the value taken. This can add up fast, and simple misunderstandings or a one-time mistake could lead to time behind bars and a criminal record that is almost impossible to recover from.
Sex Crimes Defense
Even the hint of a sex crime accusation can ruin your reputation. Outside of the stigma, a conviction for rape, child molestation, child pornography, or sexual assault can send you to prison for decades and require mandatory registration as a sex offender.
We Take Care of You.
Domestic Violence Lawyers
Being charged with domestic violence is a scary experience. With your freedom on the line and the chance that you may be kept from being able to see your loved ones, it is more important than ever that you work with an experienced domestic violence lawyer who can help you fight the charges against you.
Drug Crime Lawyers
Defending against the Charges
Whether or not you are guilty of any drug-related offense, you can count on one thing: prosecutors will be looking to convict you of a crime and slap you with harsh penalties. These could include jail time, fines, probation, and the challenge of having a criminal record following you around for years to come
may be able to help prove that:
Law enforcement failed to lawfully obtain the evidence in question
The substances in question did not belong to you or were not unlawfully in your possession
Punishments sought by prosecutors do not match the nature of the crime
Your rights were violated by law enforcement
The evidence for your crime does not exist
DWI Defense Lawyers
Any time a person is alleged to have been driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) reading of more than .08 percent, they can be charged with DWI. With an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can give yourself the best chance at a favorable outcome. First-time offenders face up to 90 days in jail, fines of up to $500, and one year of probation. Those with subsequent charges face more serious consequences.
Along with these frustrating challenges, a conviction could lead to:
Soaring auto insurance premiums
A requirement to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle
Visible criminal record able to be seen by potential employers and landlords
Potential harm to child custody and visitation rights
Ongoing fees