When Might You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

Every year, Americans go to jail a staggering 10.6 million times in total. More than 600,000 of these people end up in prison. That makes the US the country with the highest incarceration rates globally, with over two million people held in US prisons as of 2021.

Among the top reasons people end up behind bars are criminal charges. But not every crime charge ends up in a conviction. This is especially so if you have a criminal defense attorney in your corner.

The best criminal defense attorney will go out of their way to fight for you in court. They can help get the charges drastically reduced or even dropped altogether.

Understandably, it’s tempting to want to represent yourself if facing a minor crime. However, if you ever find yourself in any of the following situations, contacting a criminal defense lawyer should be your very first step.

When You’ve Been Charged With Assault and Battery

Assault and battery cases can differ significantly when it comes to defense and possible outcomes, based on the circumstances surrounding the crime. The case may be relatively straightforward or significantly complex. Cases with many moving parts can get quite complicated.

To be on the safe side, have a competent criminal defense lawyer on your side before you start facing the indictment process. Attempting to defend yourself when you have no legal background is taking a huge risk. If something goes wrong, you could be staring at serious jail time.

Once you hire a criminal defense attorney, they’ll review your case and craft a suitable defense strategy. Among the top defense strategies attorneys use when fighting assault and battery charges are self-defense, defense of property, defense of others, and voluntary consent.

When Facing Drug Charges

There are many illicit drugs that have been outlawed in the US, both at the state and federal levels. These include cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Being associated with these drugs at any level, from cultivation to distribution to possession, could land you in prison for many years.

The penalties associated with drug convictions are some of the stiffest. That’s why you need to hire a lawyer immediately if you’re entangled in such a mess.

The legal system allows your attorney to bargain a plea deal on your behalf if you’re a low-level offender. The prosecutors will, in return, ask for your help to catch the top players.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your charges, your attorney may argue that the law enforcement officer conducted an unlawful or illegal search and seizure. They could also argue that the illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia that they seized didn’t belong to you. Another defense strategy would be that some of the evidence from the drugs seized is missing.

You’ve Been Charged With Fraud or Financial Crime

Fraud or financial crime involves obtaining property or money from another entity or person illicitly. It’s a form of theft that typically involves deceit or some abuse of trust, setting this type of crime from ordinary theft and robbery. Some examples of fraud and financial crimes include:

• Forgery
• Debit/ credit card fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Wire fraud

If you’re facing charges of financial or fraud crime, find a criminal defense lawyer specializing in white-collar crime to defend you.

You’re Facing Alcohol Crime Charges

There are countless crimes committed in which alcohol plays a massive role, but not all of these crimes may be termed as drug-related. But there are four major offenses that are categorized as alcohol crimes, namely:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
• Minor in possession of alcohol
• Public intoxication
• Open container

DUI charges are significantly more grievous than other alcohol crimes. The charge typically carries severe penalties, so you shouldn’t try to fight it without an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. The moment you’re arrested, call an attorney.

Talking to an attorney quickly is especially critical if you’re arrested while in line of work. A conviction could make you lose your professional license and cost you your job. A competent attorney can help stop that from happening.

You’ve Been Accused of Theft

Theft involves taking property that belongs to someone else without their approval. In law, the term can encompass lots of categories that surpass this general definition.

If you’ve been charged with theft, the prosecution needs to prove that you took the property from the aggrieved person without authorization from them. Prosecutors must also show that you had the requisite intent to deprive the aggrieved person of their property permanently.

Based on the type of property stolen and its worth, you may be charged with either petty or grand theft.

You’ve Been Involved In A Homicide

When a person takes the life of someone else, it’s considered a homicide, no matter what circumstances surround the incident. However, not all incidents of homicide are considered a crime. For instance, in the event of self-defense or a state-sanctioned execution, taking the life of another isn’t regarded as a crime.

Prosecutors must prove that there was negligence of willful intent on the part of the defendant for the homicide to meet the threshold of a crime. If these charges have been leveled on you, you need to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away.

Don’t Wait to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

Fighting a criminal charge can be an extremely emotional ordeal, whether you’re innocent or at fault. Having a criminal defense attorney fight for you can provide much-needed comfort and security. That’s because they have a thorough knowledge of the law and present the best chance of acquittal.

Are you interested in the services of a criminal defense attorney in your area? Contact us today and learn how we can help.