What is a Criminal Defense Attorney?
A criminal defense attorney will ensure that their clients are afforded the legal protections that they are entitled to if they are accused of committing a crime. State, local, and federal prosecutors have extensive government resources to utilize, and without the right protection, the accused is at a major disadvantage. Criminal defendants should be given fair treatment in the face of government prosecutors, and they will require a skilled criminal defense attorney to guarantee they receive the protections that the law affords.
A good criminal defense attorney will safeguard your rights under the Constitution of the United States of America. All criminal cases are based upon evidence. This evidence can be acquired at the crime scene, through witnesses, medical tests, as well as other methods. There are very strict guidelines regarding the obtaining, and handling, of evidence related to a crime that must be followed in order to appear in court.
Often, evidence is mishandled, either by law enforcement or government prosecutors, and can be suppressed before the case gets to trial. For example, the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure. An experienced criminal defense attorney will analyze the evidence in your case, and the methods that were used to obtain it, in order to ensure that your rights are protected.
There are many other rights and protections that are afforded to someone who has been charged with a crime. Criminal defense attorneys specialize in knowing how to guarantee the constitutional advantages of their clients. They will also protect your rights during, and after, an arrest to help ensure that you aren’t being treated unfairly by local law enforcement.
In 2013, there were 61,529 criminal cases filed in the United States. Don’t let yourself fall prey to the trappings of the legal system.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney will Help Your Case?
Whether you were arrested for a criminal act against another person or a crime against another’s property, a criminal defense lawyer can provide the protection and assurances that you need to move forward with your life.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can provide a crucial advantage for someone who has been charged with a crime. Whether the crime is a misdemeanor or a felony, a criminal defense attorney will be familiar with the local laws and use them to your advantage in court.
Example criminal acts that a defense attorney can help you with:
A criminal defense attorney can be a great investment when facing legal proceedings. They know the local laws, legal system and are experienced in defending clients accused of a wide range of offenses. These attorneys have dedicated their lives to protecting clients and their families from convictions that can impose unnecessarily harsh penalties.
It’s a prosecutor’s sole objective to have a guilty plea rendered in court, and they have the full support of law enforcement to help them make their case. A quality lawyer experienced in criminal defense can find issues with the prosecution’s case, evidence or procedures that will help balance the scales in your favor.
Just because you have been arrested and accused of a crime, it doesn’t mean that you were at fault. Each case is different, and the smallest of details can make all the difference between a guilty and innocent verdict. You need a lawyer who can examine these details and use them to your advantage in court.
Burglary
Drug Possession or Distribution
Petit and Grand Larceny
Assault and Battery
Property Crimes
Misdemeanor Traffic Citations
Sexual Assault
Robbery
The legal system can be difficult to navigate for the average person, but a criminal defense lawyer in Richmond, Virginia can help be your guide to ensure government prosecutors don’t take advantage of you. Getting lost in the complex laws and intimidating law enforcement is not only scary, but a conviction can negatively impact you for the rest of your life. Your future should not be put in jeopardy when you are facing costly legal penalties or imprisonment.
Advantages of Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
It’s essential to have someone you trust, and can speak to confidentially, about your case and the details surrounding it. Your defense attorney can help alleviant the stress and anxiety that is often endured during a criminal case. Having an experienced legal professional who you can confide in and who will give you honest counsel can help alleviate your apprehension during this difficult time.
An important advantage in partnering with a criminal defense attorney is having an experienced spokesperson by your side throughout your entire case, from start to finish. After an arrest, it’s natural for those involved to want to tell their side of the story to law enforcement. However, this can inadvertently harm your case rather than help it. Having an attorney by your side as soon as possible will allow you to tell your story in confidence, and then they will handle any communication with the officers or the prosecutor.
Benefits to hiring a criminal defense attorney:
A criminal defense attorney cares about your case.
The government’s prosecutor is not concerned with your well-being, but rather they are concerned with doing their job, which is to have a guilty verdict rendered. A criminal defense attorney is here to represent your interests, defend your case and put your mind at ease. An experienced Richmond, Virginia defense lawyer will take the time to understand your case and facilitate a plan of action that will result in a positive outcome for you.
You gain a legal expert that’s on your side.
The number one goal of a criminal defense lawyer is to defend their clients against criminal charges. They will devote their time, energy and experience towards building a solid case on your behalf. A lawyer in Richmond, Virginia knows the specific features of the local court system and will use that knowledge to develop a strong defense for your case.
If you’re facing heavy penalties, a criminal defense lawyer can help eliminate or reduce them.
You criminal case should not be left to chance when your future is at stake. Even if you are innocent of a crime, the prosecutor will be relentless in building their case against you. You’ll need an expert criminal defense lawyer to defend you from their assaults, and to make sure you are protected against unfair sentencing.
These are only a few of the many benefits of having an attorney at your side. It’s not just about winning in court, but securing your future and clearing your record of any wrongdoing. Taking advantage of the services that an experienced criminal defense attorney provides can be the difference between success and failure of your case.
A criminal case can be intimidating, but you don’t have to face the legal system alone.
When to Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney
A common mistake people make after they are arrested is believing that they have to talk to law enforcement before they will be able to contact a lawyer. Even though it is your right to remain silent, law enforcement officers often probe defendants as much as possible before legal counsel arrives. Remember, it is law enforcement’s job to ultimately convict you of a crime.
If the police have placed you under arrest, and begin to question you, then be sure to take advantage of your right to remain silent until you have a criminal defense lawyer by your side. Law enforcement may try to tempt you into cooperating without an attorney, maybe asking you to just answer a few questions, but it is imperative to have legal counsel by your side before you communicate any information regarding your case.
It is important to not make any statements to law enforcement until you have consulted your criminal defense lawyer. The police may try to ask you questions about the crime and any other relevant details that could be used against you in court. You do not need to answer any questions or offer any explanations until you have legal representation by your side to counsel you. This will ensure that your rights are protected and you receive the fair treatment that you are entitled to.
As of 2014, Virginia’s incarceration rate is 15% higher than the national average. If you are facing a criminal case, then you’re likely looking at some hefty penalties. Call our experienced criminal defense attorneys, immediately, if you have been arrested. The sooner you have qualified legal counsel on your side, the sooner you and your family can put your criminal case behind you and move forward with your lives.
Call Blackburn, Conte, Schilling & Click, P.C. today to ensure that you have a qualified defense attorney fighting for you.