If you have been charged with a crime, then there are certain procedures that both you and the arresting officer have to go through. The officer will have to inform you of the crime with which you have been charged, and they need to recite the Miranda warning in order to let you know what rights you have. One of your Miranda rights is the right to call an attorney, which is a necessity for anyone facing criminal charges; however, some people may wonder just when is the right time to contact a lawyer in such a situation.
This is an important question because an attorney can make a huge difference when it comes to the kinds of charges that you will be facing. That is why experienced attorneys like criminal defense lawyer Bajaj recommend that you call an attorney early on since they can have such a big impact on your case. But no matter when you call an attorney, it is vital that you call them in the first place since you should never attempt to handle a criminal case by yourself.
When to Call a Lawyer
If a case involves an arrest or handcuffs, then the answer as to when you should call a lawyer is that you should call them immediately. You do not want to waste any time if prison is a possibility. Contact an attorney as soon as you get the chance because it is your right. Your Miranda rights give you the right to an attorney and you also have the right to make a phone call so it should go without saying that the call should either be to your lawyer or to someone who can get a lawyer for you.You definitely want to have a lawyer present when the police start questioning you and you can— and should— refuse to answer their questions until your lawyer arrives. Another one of your Miranda rights is the right to avoid self incrimination, which means that you can avoid answering any questions that might put you in a compromising position. When an attorney is present, they can make sure that you do not answer any questions that might get you into more trouble. That means the presence of an attorney is invaluable to the outcome of your case, which is why you need to contact one as soon as the opportunity arises.
The Type of Attorney That You Should Call
Naturally, you want to contact an attorney who specializes in the kind of criminal charge that you are facing. For example, if you were charged with drunk driving, then you should contact a lawyer who specializes in DUI cases. The more familiar the layer is with the kind of crime that you have been charged with, the better their defense will be. You should also contact an attorney who has a lot of experience. Not only will they be able to mount a strong defense, they will also be able to handle your case in a quick and efficient manner.You should also avoid trying to get the cheapest lawyer that you can; you do not have to get the most high-priced attorney, but you should avoid the lowest-priced lawyers as well. Cheaper attorneys tend to make up the shortfall of their fees by taking on many cases at once, so they may not give your case the full attention it deserves. Conversely, you do not want to retain an attorney who does not have many clients since that could be a warning sign about their quality. What you need to look for is a decently priced attorney who handles a fair amount of cases. The reason is that if they do take your case, it is because they believe that they have a good chance of winning it, otherwise they would turn it down.
