If you’ve ever been involved in legal trouble, then you’re likely confused, stressed, and overwhelmed with what you should do. Where do you go from there? You can first take a deep breath. Legal matters should be approached with a calm mind.
You can hire a , if you’re in the area. But this article is generally applicable to any region in the country.
An experienced legal counsel can mean the difference between facing jail time or freedom. A criminal defense lawyer is a valuable ally to anyone being incriminated. A good defense lawyer will make it a point that your rights are protected. They can negotiate charge dismissal or reduced sentence. But when should you hire an expert criminal defense lawyer? Here are some of the possible situations:
1. Assault
Depending on the circumstances, assault cases can be complicated and vary widely in terms of possible outcomes and defense. If someone has accused you of assault, then you need to get a criminal defense attorney right away. As an aside, attempting to defend yourself without any knowledge of the legal system can result in serious jail time.
A criminal defense attorney can help argue your case as:
2. Self-Defense
The most common defense strategy in order to fight assault charges. A lawyer will have to prove that you had a perceived fear of harm against you. That there was an imminent threat, and no chance of your retreat from the situation. A defense lawyer can argue that you didn’t provoke the other party.
3. Defense of Others
Defense of others is quite similar to self-defense. the only difference is that the accused had perceived threat or harm against someone else, usually a loved one or someone close to the defendant.
4. Defense of Property
A defense lawyer can use this strategy if they can prove that the accused was acting in defense of their property. They need to show that the other party illegally invaded your property.
5. Homicide
Homicide is the act of killing an individual by another. It’s not, however, always considered a crime. For instance, self-defense cases that result in the death of another are not considered a homicide.
For it to be considered a criminal charge, the prosecutors will need to prove the negligence on the part of the accused or willful intent. If you’re faced with this charge, then it is best to hire an expert criminal defense lawyer immediately. Otherwise, you’re seeing long years of jail time.
6. Hate Crimes
Hate crime is the violence of bigotry and intolerance, intended to intimidate and hurt someone because of their national origin, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religion.
It is a criminal offense where the accused uses arson, vandalism, verbal threats of violence, physical violence, harassment, or weapons to instill fear in the victims or leave them to feel helpless, alienated, and fearful.
Being convicted for hate crimes can lead to jail time of up to 10 years. If you’ve been accused of committing a hate crime, then it is best to consult with an expert attorney right away.
7. Financial Crimes
Financial crimes, such as fraud, are classified as a form of theft where a person or an entity obtains property or money from another party and uses it illegally for monetary gains. This involves abuse of trust or deceit, which sets them apart from the usual forms of robbery and theft.
If you’ve been charged with financial crimes, then you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer right away before answering any questions from criminal investigators.
8. Alcohol-Related Crimes
Alcohol can impact a person’s judgment, actions, aggression level, and response time. It plays a role in countless crimes, which are considered alcohol-related. However, there are four offenses that directly fall under alcohol crimes:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Open container
- Public intoxication
- Minor in possession of alcohol
DUI is the most grievous of all four, carrying severe penalties. In addition, there are some lines of work where alcohol crimes can result in you losing your professional license.
So, if ever you get suspected of alcohol crimes, then you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer to help you get a fair judgment, or plea bargain to reduce your sentence.
9. Cybercrime
Also known as computer crime, cybercrime is the term used for any illegal activity which uses the internet, a , or computer technology for execution. There are various types of cybercrime such as:
- Cyberbullying
- Stalking
- Hacking
- Identity theft
- Phishing
- Distributing of child pornography
- Spreading hate or inciting terrorism
Cybercrime or internet crime is a new area of criminal law. So, when you’ve been arrested or under investigation for any of the above crimes, you need to find a reliable criminal defense lawyer who specializes in internet crimes to provide strong legal representation in your defense.
10. Drug Crimes
Numerous such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine are outlawed at both federal and state levels. Cultivating, trafficking, distributing, or possessing these drugs can result in jail time for years.
If you ever find yourself entangled in drug crimes, then you need to get the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. They can help in negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors. In exchange, they would ask for your help in catching the drug traffickers.
In addition, if you were arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, an expert legal counsel can help you navigate the law. They can help argue several things including unlawful search and seizure of law enforcement officers, missing evidence from seized drugs, or that you were forced to carry or hold the drugs for someone else.
11. Theft
Theft is the crime or action of stealing. It is the unauthorized taking of someone else’s property with the intention of depriving them of it. The degree of theft charges can vary depending on the kind of property that was stolen, and its value. Thus, theft is categorized into two: grand and petty theft. Hiring a criminal defense attorney can help you get out of a theft charge. They can even negotiate a reduced jail sentence and bail.
Conclusion
If you’re charged with any of the criminal charges above, then you need to get a criminal defense attorney on board right away. This gives you a better chance of avoiding the lengthy legal battle which could end up with you serving time behind bars.