Criminal Defense - Know Your Rights

If you've been charged with a crime, you'll be pleased to know that there are several options available to you. You can find out about the local resources, the area prosecutor's office and, if you're lucky, even a Lawyer to help you.

Every state in the U.S. has their own system for prosecuting a criminal case, and some have separate offices from the local government, while others will ask you to find a local Criminal Defense Attorney. It is possible for you to spend months or years trying to clear your name, only to find out that you need a Lawyer. Either way, if you're facing charges, the sooner you hire a local attorney, the better your chances of making it through the process and getting a better outcome.

In most states, your plea of guilty is the only way you can get out of criminal cases. Plea bargains have become more common, and many times they require you to plead guilty to a lesser charge. While pleading guilty may sound like a good idea, you may find that the consequences of a guilty plea are far worse than they were before.

When you enter a plea bargain, it is usually based on a deal that you have to cut with prosecutors. These deals can involve leniency on minor charges, but they often do not include a great deal of leniency for serious crimes. It is up to you to learn the type of deal that the prosecutor's office is willing to accept.

Expungement is another option that many people have. In most states, criminal cases are treated much the same as traffic tickets. The case is dismissed after a certain period of time. The defendant is never prosecuted again.

However, there are also circumstances where these types of cases can result in jail time, fines, and other court fees. You will want to find out what kind of expungement the prosecutor is offering you before signing any papers. While in some cases, you may be able to get rid of the case, there are also some cases where you could end up spending years in jail.

No matter what your particular situation is, you'll want to find out what the possible charges are against you. There are lawyers who specialize in just about every type of criminal offense, so it's important to know what is coming down the pipe for you.

You may be surprised at how many charges you can be facing. After all, this is a crime that can involve some serious consequences, such as prison time and even hefty fines. Be prepared for the worst when you face charges like these.

At this point, you may be wondering if you should hire a lawyer to help you out. If you don't already have one, you should at least talk to one. You should look for a lawyer who specializes in criminal defense, since this will give you a much better chance of fighting off the charges and getting the charges dropped.

You may also be able to find out what kind of office the local prosecutor's office is. This will help you decide whether or not you should choose to fight the charges on your own, or if you should try to handle them yourself.

The last thing you want to do is let the charges come back on you after you thought you had gotten rid of the problem. Unfortunately, sometimes the case can be very complicated, and some of the charges can include very serious accusations. Don't be surprised if you find yourself in jail at one point or another, especially if you are charged with a serious crime.

Find out as much as you can about your legal rights before you decide to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Being familiar with the different types of charges that can be brought against you, along with the potential consequences of those charges, can be a huge step towards protecting your rights.