Fighting Through Criminal Charges With Help From A Lawyer
Are you losing sleep over some legal trouble you got caught up in that you regret? Were you brought in for questioning by the authorities regarding the incident but exercised your right to remain silent? The first thing that you did right in the situation was not responding to questions that were asked regarding the crime, but your next step should be getting legal assistance. If you intend to accept a public defender as your legal representation, the level of focus that is needed for your case to be successful might not be obtained. To get the fullest extent of attention placed on your case, you need help from a criminal defense lawyer.
The Extent of Your Criminal Charges
What type of crime were you accused of committing, or were you charged with more than one crime? The extent of the crimes you are charged with is important for a lawyer because it gives him or her an idea of what needs the most attention. For example, if you are charged with committing an assault that caused great bodily harm to the victim, a lawyer might focus on finding witnesses or camera footage to prove your innocence. Even if you committed the assault, it does not necessarily mean that you injured the victim as severely as you were accused of doing. In some cases, victims self-injure themselves to get their attackers into deeper legal trouble.
Your Participation in the Crime
Although you exercised your right to remain silent with the authorities, the best thing to do when speaking to a lawyer is to open up about the crime. For example, be honest about your participation in the crime you are charged with. By giving a lawyer all the details, you will give them a better understanding of the situation and what must be done to fight the charges. You might be able to get lower charges with help from a lawyer, which will lead to a lighter sentence in court. A felony can possibly be reduced to a misdemeanor.
Crimes You Were Charged with in the Past
Your past might seem irrelevant, but the past plays an important role in fighting criminal charges. A lawyer will talk to you about your criminal background to determine if you are a repeat offender and what your background might look like in the eyes of a judge. If you are not a repeat offender, getting a lighter sentence will be easier. However, as a repeat offender, a lawyer might discuss the advantages of accepting a plea deal.
Contact a criminal defense lawyer for more information.