Unfortunately, my son got caught up with the wrong group of kids over the last summer. It was not until the police officers brought him home that I learned of what he and his new group of friends were up to. I knew at that moment that I was going to need a lawyer to help me help him through the situation. My lawyer was so helpful in many ways. By the time we worked our way through the legal process, my son was able to walk away without any charges that could threaten his future. Visit my site to learn what can be done for a troubled teen to get him or her back on the right track.
If you've been charged with a crime, it's a constitutional right to have a lawyer. That's because freedom is so important, as are the rights of American citizens. If you have criminal charges pending, it's your right not to have a lawyer, but it isn't advised. A competent criminal lawyer has the ability to protect your rights, even if the case against you is strong. A lawyer will ensure that you are treated fairly and can positively help your case in three critical ways.
Understand the Case Against You
The first way a criminal lawyer will help you is to understand what you are facing. Criminal charges are not always easy to understand. During your initial consultation, your lawyer will go over any charges with you and help you determine what type of defense you may need. This will affect how you plead during your arraignment, and it will help you understand what the potential legal consequences will be if you fight the charges and lose.
Gather All of the Pertinent Information
In theory, a defendant has a right to all of the information and facts that are related to his or her case. However, it is not always easy to gather information or to gain access to expert witness or testimony. A criminal lawyer will be able to subpoena all the appropriate sources of information to gather all pertinent documents and witness testimony for your case. Your lawyer will ensure that all of the bases are covered and that the prosecution isn't withholding evidence that may lead to lessened charges or to charges being dropped completely.
Negotiate On Your Behalf
A criminal lawyer will be able to analyze all of the facts and evidence in your case and determine if they measure up against the charges. In some cases, the charges may be excessive, and your lawyer can work out a plea deal to have you plead guilty to a much lesser crime. The punishment may also be negotiated, even if the evidence is overwhelming against you. Some prosecutors would rather resolve a case quickly than go to trial. A good criminal lawyer will also be able to potentially negotiate having your charges dropped if he or she can legally argue that the evidence isn't there to support a charge.
A person's freedom is everything. It is a criminal lawyer's job to defend your reputation and your freedom to the fullest extent possible and to ensure that you get the best available result for your case.
To learn more, contact a criminal lawyer.
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