When Should You Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney?
When facing criminal charges, you need the help of a criminal defense attorney. Apart from providing legal counsel, the lawyer also fills out the paperwork. Moreover, the quickly you hire a lawyer, the better it is for your case.
But how do you know that you need a criminal defense lawyer? Hire a lawyer if you are in one of the following scenarios:
Under investigation
If you are a suspect in a case, you need a lawyer by your side during questioning and interrogation by the police. As per the Miranda Warnings, a person is allowed to have an attorney present during interrogations. Moreover, if you don’t have an attorney, the Supreme Court will provide you with one, without having to incur any cost on behalf of the client.
However, the Miranda Warning does not apply to police questioning regarding your name, date of birth, address, and other information regarding your identity.
Under arrest
If you are under arrest, you have the right to an attorney and the right to exercise Miranda Warning. When you are under arrest, most lawyers will provide you with consultation services free of cost. When hiring a lawyer at the right time, it benefits you. The lawyer can negotiate terms before the case goes to trial.
What charges require hiring a criminal defense lawyer?
If you are facing any of the following criminal charges, it is high time to hire a defense attorney.
1. Alcohol and Drug abuse
If you have been Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, you will receive a criminal charge. In addition to this, possession of illegal drugs will also lead to criminal charges.
2. Assault charges
Assault charges vary in degree of severity. Involvement in an assault case can lead to criminal charges.
3. Theft
Theft has varying sentences for jail time. A robbery involves taking someone’s property or wealth without their consent. The degree of the charge varies according to the size of the property stolen.
4. Homicide/Murder
Homicide or murder is a serious crime that can potentially result in a sentence of a lifetime of jail. A murder case is considered a criminal case when the suspect intended to harm the victim.
5. Fraud
Identity theft or financial crimes can result in criminal charges. Crimes of this nature include credit card fraud, forgery, fake ID cards, insurance fraud, etc.
You can find more information regarding crimes that result in a criminal case, according to the state on this website.
Conclusion
When hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you need to make sure that you choose the right one, such as Davis and Cannon in Wyoming, who have been offering their services for the past 70 years. Cost is a factor in choosing a suitable lawyer. However, this shouldn’t be your sole concern in hiring one. Instead of dwelling over how costly a lawyer is, look for a lawyer with relevant experience. If a lawyer is well-known in the courtroom, it can benefit you in obtaining a shorter sentence or a plea deal (in case of conviction). Moreover, the lawyer that you hire should have worked on criminal cases similar to yours.
