Learning that you are being investigated for criminal activity is stressful. You immediately realize that your future is in limbo and beyond your control. You may be concerned about how the outcome of a pending arrest could impact your family and career. Regardless of the nature of the alleged crime, one of the first things you should do after learning about the investigation is to hire a criminal defense lawyer. What can your lawyer do for you?
1- Protect Your Rights
From the moment you are approached for questioning until the case concludes, your lawyer will protect your rights. In many cases, people being investigated fail to understand what they must do to comply with the police and what may be damaging to the case. This could directly impact whether or not charges are actually filed.
2- Keep You Informed
A criminal investigation could take months or even years. During that time, stress can mount as you wonder what is going on with the case. The police typically will not provide information about a pending investigation to someone who is being investigated. However, a defense attorney may be able to learn more information. In addition, a defense attorney may have connections that provide information through back channels.
3- Assist with Bail After the Arrest
In the event that you are arrested, you understandably want to get out of jail as soon as possible by posting bail. Your attorney will represent you in front of the court and could successfully get your bail lowered. If the bail is otherwise unaffordable, your attorney’s efforts could keep you out of jail for months as your case proceeds through the court system.
4- Fight for Your Defense
A criminal case is often decided well before the facts are presented in a courtroom to a jury and judge. Often, prosecutors offer a plea deal, and the terms of a plea offer can be negotiated by your attorney. A plea deal may still involve prison time, or it could come with a fine and various probation terms that can be severely restrictive. These negotiations may be based on various mitigating factors that your attorney can use advantageously. If the case goes to court, your attorney will fight for the best outcome possible based on the specific facts and his or her knowledge of case law.
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5- Argue for a Reduced Sentence
When you are arrested, you are charged with the highest charge that the police believe they have a case for. The prosecutor reviews the facts and could decide immediately after your arrest to reduce the charges. Your criminal defense attorney can point out the facts of the case to the prosecutor behind the scenes to potentially get a reduced sentence. This can also take place in the courtroom as the jury decides your fate.
A criminal matter has life-changing consequences, so you need a legal expert in your corner. Throughout a case, there are many opportunities to negate the accusations and fight for reduced charges. Your attorney will stand by you from start to end.