Are you being charged with a crime? It doesn’t matter whether you’re innocent or guilty, you’ll need to retain the services of a criminal lawyer. Don’t assume you can represent yourself or rely on court-assisted representation—that’s a mistake that could cost you your freedom. Let’s run through a few scenarios where you need to retain legal counsel ASAP.
Felony Charges: When the Stakes Are High and Your Freedom is on the Line
Being charged with a felony is a big deal, and you’re facing the harshest punishments under the law. Capital crimes have lengthy prison sentences and if you don’t have a competent criminal lawyer managing your case, you might never see beyond the prison walls again.
Murder and Manslaughter
If you’re charged with homicide you’re up against real charges that could land you in prison for anywhere from 10 years to life. Spending the rest of your days behind bars seems terrifying, and the only way you can reduce your sentence is if your attorney has a strong case.
Sex Crimes
Rape, sexual assault, and possession of CP could leave you facing severe legal penalties and dangerous conditions if you’re sent to prison. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will interpret evidence, challenge questionable evidence, and clear your good name.
Drug Trafficking and Distribution
While simple possession may land you a small fine or community service, charges for distribution and trafficking assume a completely different context with much stiffer legal penalties. If you’re charged with having sold, transported, or manufactured illegal drugs, you might spend years—or decades—in prison.
Your lawyer reviews your case and how the arresting officer handled the situation. They’ll identify holes in the prosecution and procedure, such as unauthorized wire taps on your phone or false statements from informants to cast doubt on your involvement.
Aggravated Assault and Violent Crime
Being arrested for violent crimes like assault and battery or attempted murder, you’re facing serious charges that can land you in prison for a long time. A talented lawyer can make the argument that you were acting in self defense and draw the credibility of witnesses into question to reduce or eliminate the possibility of the judge handing you jail time.
Don’t Take Misdemeanor Charges Lightly
Misdemeanors are light legal worse, but if you don’t hire an attorney to represent you, you could end up receiving a conviction or sentence that unfair. The last thing you need is a criminal record affecting your job prospects and living accommodations for the rest of your life. A lawyer can plead to the court to reduce your charges, and you might even get off with a slap on the wrist.
Theft and Shoplifting
Turn on the TV and there’s countless stories of looting and shoplifting going off the rails across the country. Courts are cracking down on these crimes and they’re handing out stiffer punishments to thieves. Your lawyer can argue that the value you stole doesn’t validate a prison sentence or they could convince the court and prosecution to reduce your punishment to community service.
Domestic Violence
A domestic violence call out is the most dangerous situation for police officers, and these situations can easily get out of hand. Calling your lawyer before the police arrive on scene can give you the leverage you need to avoid escalating the scene and being brought up on trumped-up charges. Your attorney will present the situation to the court and nullify the hearsay from your significant other, presenting your argument for proper consideration by the courts.
Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication
These charges may sound insignificant, but they may have accompanying fines, imprisonment, and a criminal record, and may impact future job prospects. A lawyer might claim that what you did didn't legally breach the law or negotiate with the prosecutor to avoid you landing up with a criminal record.
White Collar Crime: When You’re Facing More than Fines
A white collar crime might seem harmless. After all, no one got physically hurt, right? That’s not the case—we assure you. The courts hand down serious punishment for these crimes, just look at what happened to crypto kingpin Sam Bankman-Fried. A criminal defense attorney is experienced in financial law and handling these types of cases, reducing your sentencing or leveraging legal loopholes to get you off the hook.
Fraud and Embezzlement
If you’re accused of credit card, insurance, or wire fraud, the government will bring federal case against you. The same goes for embezzlement, where an individual steals or redirects an employer's funds. A criminal lawyer will challenge financial reports, initiate plea-bargains, and try to reduce the charges.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime, especially if you’re caught using someone’s identity to commit fraud or other white-collar crimes that affect other people. Your attorney can prove mistaken identity or ask the court to reduce your sentence.
Bribery and Corruption
Bribery, insider trading, and accusations of public corruption destroy careers and come with the consequences of spending years in prison and paying massive restitution. White-collar defense lawyers understand the weight of the charges brought against you and they have strategies to limit the damage a conviction could do to your career and future networking prospects.
Why You Need to Retain the Services of a Criminal Lawyer
No matter what charges you're up against, having a criminal defense attorney on your side can keep you out of jail, reduce your sentence, or get you off scott-free, depending on the nature of your case.
The legal system is multifaceted. If you don’t have any understanding of regulations, you might commit crimes that threaten your freedom. A lawyer advises and guides you through legal procedures, keeping you from saying or doing something to hurt your case.
Prosecutors don’t play fair. Their job is to bring in convictions, and they have access to plenty of resources. A good defense lawyer is capable of challenging their strategies, excluding evidence collected unlawfully, and negotiating for lesser charges or case dismissal.
Sentencing matters. Instead of imprisonment, the lawyer may plea for probation, house arrest, or a treatment program. Without a legal representative, you might end up getting the worst possible outcome for your case.
Don’t leave your future hanging in the balance—hire a criminal attorney and sidestep the possibility of the court handing you a criminal record that complicates your life. You don’t need the hassle of struggling to find a job or an apartment, retain the services of a top-rated attorney and escape the wrath of a conviction if you can.
