subject: Consult A Criminal Defense Attorney [print this page] A criminal defense attorney will work with you to determine if you can overcome the charges that you are facing. In some cases, the charges may be minimal. In other cases, especially in felonies, having this type of professional by you side is critical. This is a significant problem when there is a lot of evidence working against you as well. No matter what you are facing, the first step is to consult with a specialized lawyer handling these particular types of concerns. Then, work out the details about what your best options are.
What Do You Do?
One of the first things that individuals want to know is what to do now. A criminal defense attorney will work with you to determine what your next step should be after discussing your case with you at length. This point of this meeting is to give the lawyer a better idea of what happened, why you are facing allegations and what type you are facing. Once the lawyer knows this, he or she will have a better opportunity to tell you how to proceed.
Should You Fight for a Non-Guilty Verdict?
Depending on the type of situation you are in, you may need to go to trial to determine if you are guilty. This is a very risky move because there is always the chance that you will end up facing the worst outcome. However, your lawyers will help you to decide whether to go through this. If you know you did not commit this crime and have evidence to back up your statement, such as witness statements, then doing this may be your best route.
Should You Plead No Contest?
If you do not want to say if you did it or not, or you do not think it will matter in any situation, pleading no contest may be an option. This does not lower your punishment risk, though. Your lawyer may recommend this option to you at an initial hearing if you are unsure what to state.
Should You Ask for a Plea Agreement?
Another option is a plea agreement. This option is ideal for those who know they are guilty or they are facing too much evidence working against them in the case. This may help you to get reduced charges. It may also help you to avoid a trial.
What should you do when you are facing charges for a crime? The first thing to do is to hire a criminal defense attorney to work with you. Together, you will come up with the right plan for your situation, starting at the consultation.
