Being accused of or charged with a crime can be one of the most overwhelming and difficult experiences of your life. While charges can cause you serious trouble, sometimes, the accusation alone can cause irreparable damage to your life. Depending on the crime you are charged with, the consequences to your life could be disastrous. If you find yourself facing legal action, reach out to a Mesa criminal defense lawyer who can help.
When you are arrested, you may feel like you have already lost. Once the police place you in handcuffs, you may feel an overwhelming sense of defeat. It is important to remember that you are always considered innocent by the court until proven guilty. No matter how much the police may try to goad or intimidate you into admitting guilt, you have the right to remain silent and seek the guidance of a seasoned criminal defense lawyer.
Upon arrest, your very first move should be to contact a lawyer. You are afforded certain constitutional rights that cannot be taken from you. These rights include your right to remain silent and your right to retain counsel. Exercise both of these rights. Regardless of the crime, whether you are arrested for a DUI, a hit and run, or even a murder charge, you don’t have to speak to the police if you don’t want to. Remaining silent may save you from incriminating yourself during a moment of high stress.
Generally, if you need to speak with a criminal defense lawyer, things are about to change for you in a very dramatic way. Depending on the charges, you could be facing legal penalties such as substantial prison time and hefty fines, both of which can cause irreparable harm to your job opportunities, your financial freedom, and your personal relationships. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared without adequate legal representation.
Representing yourself in court is not generally recommended, but it is especially risky in a criminal defense case. You deserve someone on your side who understands what’s at stake, does not judge your guilt or innocence, and whose only job is to make sure you beat these charges. A defense lawyer only can provide you with a strong defense and protect your rights from start to finish. Here are some ways a lawyer can help:
When you decide to hire a lawyer for your case, there are certain qualities you may want to prioritize to bolster your case. Depending on the details of your case, some qualities may be more important than others. You deserve a criminal defense lawyer who takes your needs and wishes into account and takes preventative measures against compromising your rights. Here are some qualities you may wish to look for:
A defense attorney’s largest responsibility is to advocate for their client’s innocence loudly and fervently. Your lawyer should advocate for a fair trial, create a strong defense tailored to your case, and provide a better chance at success. They should highly scrutinize the prosecution’s case, challenging it whenever necessary. Your lawyer’s highest priority should be helping you fight the charges. Throughout this process, their ethics should not waver.
There are many different arguments that a defense attorney can make in Arizona. It depends largely on the details of the case. One of the most common ones is that the prosecution has failed to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the defense lawyer can establish even the slightest hint of reasonable doubt, that may be enough to unravel the prosecution’s case. This can be done by pointing out inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.
There are a number of reasons why a prosecutor may decide to dismiss a case. One of the most common reasons is insufficient evidence. It is the prosecutor’s job to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They can accomplish this by providing evidence that supports their version of events. If there isn’t enough evidence to support the defendant’s guilt, they may concede and drop the case entirely.
Every criminal defense case has the potential to be hard to defend. The difficulty of the case depends on what evidence you have to support the defendant’s innocence and the strength of your case. Arguably, the hardest cases to defend are crimes against children. Regardless of the details, people can have more emotional reactions when children are involved. People may already make up their minds about the client’s guilt before the case even starts.
Being charged with a crime can be the beginning of the end for you if you do not take the proper precautions to protect yourself. Hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference when the time comes for you to fight the charges being made against you. Always remember that you are considered innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the court, and a defense attorney can help you disprove your guilt.
The legal team at Hallam Law Group understands how difficult it can be to defend yourself in the wake of criminal charges. We can help you build a defense strategy, gather evidence, and represent you in court. Contact us to speak with a valued team member about your case.