You need to understand your chances if you have been accused of a crime. First, even if you have been arrested, you are still presumed innocent until after court pronouncement. Also, you still have a chance to argue your case and regain your freedom. But you cannot do so yourself.
A criminal charge can range from mild to serious and can even attract life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime. Examples of such crimes include
Possession of hard drugs, theft, fraud, murder, domestic violence, rape, forgery, and so on. You can also forfeit your properties with a sentence charge. This can be a pretty bad situation, especially when you know your innocence. The prospect of getting yourself out of the whole mess is the lining at the end of the tunnel, even though you cannot do it yourself, no matter how sure of your innocence you are. No one can help you better than a criminal defense attorney.
Criminal defense attorneys are specialized lawyers in the area of crime, which distinguishes them from civil or property lawyers. They are conversant with criminal law and have practiced it for years, representing many cases.
Getting in touch with a criminal defense attorney from Miami should be the first thing you should do when you receive a charge or get arrested. He will explain your rights and give you the options that are available to you. He would also evaluate your situation, trying to determine your chance for a plea at being innocent or guilty. Before anything else, he would tell you your possible chances, advising you on steps to take. But at the end of the day, he would follow your decision.
Even if you think your case is similar to one handled before and you think you can do it independently, there are better ideas than this one. This is because all criminal cases are unique, like most law cases. There may be factors for you or against you, including time, venue, and so on. Your criminal defense lawyer would readily recognize this and try to use it to your advantage.
A criminal defense lawyer can also help you gather evidence if you insist you are innocent. After carefully listening to your story, the attorney would look for possible pieces of evidence, including physical ones, to give credibility to your story.
Also, a criminal defense lawyer helps you with representation in court. He does not only advise you but stands for you in court to receive questions, knowing what to say and what not to say. Being skilled in criminal law enables them to understand how to research and argue their case correctly.
If you admit your guilt, the attorney can still help you get the least possible sentence. This could include getting a lesser prison sentence or avoiding forfeiting your property. He may also help you avoid jail time by settling for community service, a fine settlement, or even a warning.
No matter the crime, a criminal defense attorney is the best option, and you should pay attention to when picking one.
You will want an attorney who has handled crimes like the one you are accused of. This gives you a better chance of being successful in court. It also means that the attorney will have the necessary experience to handle your case. When hiring an attorney, make it a point to ask relevant questions to find out the attorney's experience and success rate in representing people with similar crimes.
You should also pick an attorney familiar with your state's laws Different states have different criminal laws, making it very important that your attorney know the criminal laws in your state. A good tip here is to go for a local attorney, someone within your locality and familiar with the court where you are to be tried.
Another thing is that you should go for an attorney with whom you feel comfortable. Experiences and success rates do not account for anything if you do not like the attorney you are working with. Pick someone easy to communicate with, who quickly listens, and who will be honest with you. Your lawyer may be sympathetic, which is a good trait, but you don't want someone so emotional that they become less realistic with you.
At Stroleny Law, P.A., we have a team of criminal defense attorneys waiting to help you today. No matter how bad the crime is or whether you believe you are out of time, we can help you settle for the best option. Contact us today.