When to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney
Wondering when to hire a criminal defense attorney? When you have a brush with the law and face criminal charges, it’s a good idea to call a lawyer. Oftentimes, thoughts flood your mind, including the cost of representation.
While many people worry about the cost of an attorney, it’s important to have an advocate on your side. Typically, people don’t realize that hiring an attorney early on saves you the cost of larger expenses down the road.
Moreover, navigating the court system takes experience. When you need someone to protect your rights, it’s a good idea to seek representation. Let’s take a deeper look at when it’s a good idea to seek counsel.
What You Need to Know About Hiring a Lawyer
After your arrest, it’s important to make an effort to speak with a criminal defense attorney. Preferably, you’d seek a consultation as soon as you leave the custody of the police. Your top priority is to find experienced representation against serious allegations.
When you seek representation early on, there’s the potential for your attorney to begin negotiations immediately. This increases your odds of a more favorable outcome.
When you face criminal charges, the timing is essential. That’s why it is so vital to hire a criminal defense attorney to bargain and negotiate shortly after your arrest.
With an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you have an advocate who mediates between you and any other party involved. In some cases, tempers flare, leading to mischief and arrest. Your defense lawyer has the experience to approach the other party and mediate.
At all times, your attorney works to pursue the best possible outcome in your case.
When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
If you’re wondering whether to hire a criminal defense attorney, it’s probably a good time to call someone. Whether you are at fault or not, it’s difficult to fight criminal charges. Oftentimes, the process is long and emotional.
With representation, you gain the peace of mind that comes with an advocate working to secure your freedom.
Assault and Battery Charges
Assault and battery cases vary widely in terms of defense strategy and potential outcomes. In some cases, the process is quite straightforward. However, when they have multiple moving parts, they grow increasingly complex.
When someone levels these charges against you, it’s important to hire a criminal defense attorney immediately. At times, people attempt to defend themselves with no experience. When they do so, they risk serious jail time.
Drug Charges
At state and federal levels, there are many drugs outlawed. From cultivation and distribution to possession, association with these drugs comes with severe consequences. In these cases, convictions carry stiff penalties.
As such, it’s a good idea to hire a criminal defense attorney to handle your case. There are opportunities within the criminal justice system to negotiate plea deals that reduce the level of your offense.
Fraud and Financial Crimes
Fraud and financial crimes constitute a form of theft. In these cases, a person or entity obtains property or money from someone and uses it illicitly. Oftentimes, these cases involve an abuse of trust or a deceitful act. That sets these crimes apart from other forms of robbery or theft.
- Credit card fraud
- Wire fraud
- Forgery
- Insurance fraud
All these examples fall into a specialization known as white-collar crime. When you face these charges it’s essential to work with an experienced attorney.
Alcohol Crimes
Alcohol has a major role in numerous crimes. However, there are four main offenses that fall into this category.
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Open container
- Minor in possession
- Public intoxication
In Texas, the state takes DWIs incredibly seriously. As such, a conviction carries penalties with the potential to alter your life forever. With a Houston DWI lawyer on your side, you have someone to build a defense and pursue the best possible outcome of your case.
In certain cases, these charges lead to a loss of your driver’s license. Moreover, it has the potential to cause a loss of professional licenses.
Never attempt to handle these cases on your own. When you hire a criminal defense attorney, you help keep a bad situation from becoming worse.
Theft Charges
Theft pertains to taking another person’s property without permission. However, from a legal standpoint, the term covers a broad spectrum of categories.
Oftentimes, we define it as an act of taking someone’s property to deprive them of it permanently. In these cases, the prosecution has to prove certain things.
- Defendant took the property without permission
- Intent of the defendant was to permanently deprive them of the property
The degrees of these charges vary based on the type of property and its value. As such, the two core categories of theft are petty theft and grand theft.
Homicide Charges
When someone takes another person’s life, it constitutes homicide. Generally, this is true regardless of the details of the situation. However, homicide is not always a crime. For example, self-defense that results in the death of another is not always a crime.
Typically, a prosecutor must prove either negligence or willful intent on the part of the accused. When you face these charges, it is crucial to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Defense strategies vary, but your attorney will fight to pursue the best possible outcome of your case.
Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney ASAP
When is the right time to hire a criminal defense attorney? There’s no such thing as too soon when it comes to protecting your future. The earlier the better in many cases.
When you work with an attorney early on, you have the potential to avoid lengthy legal fights. Moreover, you have someone to start building a defense earlier. Every crime has a unique set of circumstances.
However, having an attorney ready to protect your rights influences the outcome of your case. While you have the right to defend yourself, gain the peace of mind that comes with legal assistance.
Schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney to learn more about your rights. The right legal team offers you guidance on how to develop a personalized defense strategy.