You have been arrested. Maybe you spent the night in jail. Maybe you are still there because you cannot afford the bail the judge set for you. You’re tired and scared. Most of all, you want to make this whole thing go away as soon as possible.
Before you plead guilty, you need to talk to an experienced defense attorney about your case. Why?
What a criminal defense lawyer can do for you
First of all, if you are charged with a serious crime, you need a lawyer representing you at the bail hearing. Your attorney will fight to get you released from jail with as low a bail as possible. Otherwise, chances are good you will have to stay in jail until your case is resolved.
It is a serious matter every time you are charged with a crime, even a “minor” crime like DUI. Besides having a criminal record, you could face jail time, hefty fines and other penalties.
Before you can do the right thing for yourself and your family, you need to know your rights and what the charges against you could mean. Only a defense attorney has the knowledge to help you. They should explain what is going on in clear language, and take the time to answer all your questions. With this information and your lawyer’s advice, you can make smart choices about how to handle the charges against you.
Most criminal cases settle before trial. But that does not mean you should accept the first offer the prosecutor makes. It’s their job to send you to prison, not help you. Your defense attorney will negotiate with the prosecutor assigned to your case. If there are problems with the evidence, they may be able to get the charges against you reduced or even dropped.
You owe it to yourself and your family to fight for the best possible outcome to your criminal charges.