Criminal Defense Lawyer- Do I Need One?
Have you been arrested by law enforcement officers and charged with the offense of committing a crime? Well, the best decision you can ever make is to hire a good defense attorney. Even though you may consider yourself an expert in criminal law, it is always important to weigh all options and find out how an attorney can help defend your rights. Remember that the earlier you get in touch with a legal expert, the better your chances of preventing blunders that can worsen the case.
Having someone who understands the legal process is one of the advantages of getting early representation. Immediately after your arrest, the lawyer may be in a position to negotiate dismissal of that case even before charges are formally pressed against you.
Additionally, the criminal defense lawyer can bargain for other rights, which would help enhance possibilities of having a better outcome. In most cases, negotiations are conducted in the preliminary stages before charges are pressed against a suspect, and a good lawyer would know how to negotiate for your rights at the earliest opportunity.
In addition to the above, hiring an attorney is the wisest decision you can make given that you will get an experienced representative to speak on your behalf and even conduct mediation. It is common for tempers to flare between two feuding parties. As a result, situations often spin out of control. A good attorney can act as a sober and professional spokesperson that represents your interests. As an accused person, in the absence of a lawyer, you might get angry and reveal things that will only make matters worse.
What is criminal law?
The term criminal law refers to a set of legal rules that clearly define actions classified as crime. It also describes how individuals who are suspected of engaging in criminal activities may be prosecuted.
A crime can be broadly defined as the omission or commission of an action that violates a law that clearly commands or forbids the act.
Classification of crime
Criminal acts can be broadly classified into two:
1. Felonies
2. Misdemeanors
The former include serious crimes such as murder, drug trafficking and rape, while the latter consist of reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and other less serious actions. Felonies usually attract jail time periods of more than 12 months, while misdemeanors generally attract shorter jail times.
Criminal acts can also be broken down into the following:
1. Personal crimes
2. White collar crimes
3. Traffic offenses
4. Drug-related crimes
5. Homicide
6. Inchoate crimes
The term personal crimes refer to actions that lead to infliction of physical injury or mental anguish on another person. The actions can be further classified into two: violent crimes and homicide. Violent crimes include: assault, battery, rape, arson, kid, abuse of children as well as domestic abuse. If your actions lead to someone’s death, then you may be charged first degree murder, vehicular homicide or even voluntary manslaughter.
White-collar crime typically involves deception for financial or material gain. The term was originally given to criminals in the corporate sector who defrauded people from the comfort of their office desks. They include: blackmail, tax evasion, bribery, racketeering, extortion, money laundering, forgery and money-counterfeiting. Other forms of white-collar crime are: fraud, fraudulent investment/ pyramid schemes and insider trading. Fraud can be further broken down into the following: bank fraud, wire fraud, credit card fraud, welfare fraud and securities fraud, among others.
Law enforcement officers will arrest and press charges if you choose to commit traffic offenses. They include: driving a vehicle while in possession of a suspended driving license, vehicular assault, driving without a valid license, reckless driving or hit-and-run- offense.
You may be sent to jail if found guilty of drug-related crimes. They include: manufacture of illegal drugs and substances, drug trafficking and possession of illegal substances.
A court can also send you to prison if sufficient evidence is presented to prove that you committed 1st degree murder, voluntary homicide, involuntary manslaughter, vehicular homicide and/ or 2nd degree murder.
Inchoate crimes may consist of: aiding and abetting, soliciting for sex, attempt to commit crime or conspiracy to engage in criminal activity.
Verdict
In summary, there are so many advantages of hiring a good criminal defense lawyer. This should be done at the earliest opportunity.
The attorney can help evaluate charges pressed against you and the presented evidence as well, prevent law enforcers from pressing charges in the first place and even recommend the best defense strategy.
Additionally, the expert can negotiate for a plea bargain with the district attorney or prosecutor, educate you on the applicable laws, take care of emotional elements of the trial and offer objective advice regarding the process as well.
The right criminal defense lawyer can represent you in court during hearings, engage private investigators, understand discretion of the prosecutor and collect vital evidence.
In addition to the above, an attorney can hire expert witnesses, identify any concealed consequences of pleading guilty and negotiate for alternative sentencing options as well.
Do not represent yourself, regardless of education level, social status or conscience. It is important to hire a good criminal defense lawyer.
Folsom Criminal Defense Attorney Offices, 850 Iron Point Road, Folsom, CA 95630