A good criminal defense attorney is necessary if you are charged with a criminal offense. Even if hiring a good criminal defense lawyer is not cheap, just remember that if you are convicted of the charges, it can cost you a lot more for the rest of your life. You might think that being convicted of misdemeanor will not affect your life but this is not true since this charge can affect you job applications. When a possible employer does a background check, your entire criminal history will be visible when a criminal history report is generated. Your chances of being hired can be lost if they see criminal convictions even if they happened a long time ago. Even just renting an apartment may become difficult if you have a criminal offense record.
Here are some scenarios where you will need the help of a good criminal defense attorney.
If a victim of domestic violence has a hidden agenda or to spite the spouse, domestic violence cases are sometimes filled with many false accusations. In divorce cases or custody battles, a husband’s credibility can be marred by a claim of spousal abuse by the mother of the child.
When you are stopped by a law enforcement officer for suspicion of drunk driving, there are defined rules which must be followed prior to and during the stop. Violation of these procedures might also lead to the violation of your rights and can weaken the case against you. You need to hire a criminal defense attorney whose specialization is this area of criminal law.
Attorneys that work within the juvenile system is needed for juvenile charges. There are good negotiators who are skilled at getting charges reduced or dropped.
For federal cases, it is best to hire an attorney when charges are not yet filed and they are still investigating the case. There are stiff penalties meted to those convicted of federal offenses. An attorney experienced with the federal criminal justice system and understands the investigative process and procedural steps is critical to initiate a good defense. Some legal problems associated with federal charges include Medicare and Medicaid fraud, Drug conspiracy, Mortgage Fraud, Money laundering, Tax fraud, and racketeering crimes.
If you are faced with criminal charges under investigation, an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can help you protect your rights. Finding a criminal defense attorney that understands the law, the process, and has the experiences in the area of criminal law which applies to your situation is your best option in evaluating your options and making the right decisions.
