If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, you will need the help of a criminal defense lawyer to defend your rights and defend your freedom. A criminal defense lawyer will explain your rights in all stages of the criminal process and help you develop a plan to provide you with the strongest defense possible.
Being charged with a crime can be a very serious matter. A person facing criminal charges may face possible jail time, a future criminal record, and the loss of future job prospects. While some legal matters can be handled alone, a criminal arrest of any nature warrants the legal advice of a qualified criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome for you and your case.
A criminal defense attorney can help you understand
- Your available defenses
- The charges against you
- The consequences of a conviction
- What plea bargains or reduced sentencing may be offered
How can a criminal defense lawyer help you?
- Help you devise a defense (if your case goes to trial)
- Lessen the severity of the punishment for the crime
- Reduce or eliminate jail time
- Reduce your criminal charge to a lesser offense (Example: felony to a misdemeanor)
A criminal defense attorney will:
Work with you and the prosecutor to negotiate a plea bargain – A plea bargain can reduce your potential sentence or eliminate some of the charges brought against you. Oftentimes prosecutors are not willing to negotiate with defendants that represent themselves.
Help you figure out a good alternative sentencing program for your situation – If you are found guilty, your criminal defense attorney may be able to prevent you from ending up in the criminal justice system or jail. For example, instead of going to prison for a drug conviction, your criminal defense attorney may suggest a sentence in a drug treatment facility to help you with the drug problem that landed you in trouble to begin with.
Help you with a reality check – Defense attorneys have the advantage of remaining objective throughout your case and can offer valuable insights and advice. These reality checks can be essential when a criminal defendant is trying to decide whether or not to accept a prosecutor’s offer or plea bargain.
Help you understand legal rules and regulations that you probably would not find on your own – As an example if you were to represent yourself, you may never know if the search that the police conducted of your home was lawful or not without understanding the many nuances and intricacies surrounding the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Help you with investigators and expert witnesses – the use of expert witnesses may be able to present evidence that shows your innocence or rebuts the prosecution’s evidence.
Reading Can’t Replace Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney – there is a big difference between reading about the law and actually practicing the law in court.
Some Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Attorney
- Do you have any experience handling my type of case?
- How many jury trials have you handled?
- How much of my criminal case will you handle?
- How often do you work out plea agreements or ask for a lesser charge?
- What are your attorney’s fees, and how are they calculated? Do you offer a payment plan?
- Would you be willing to provide references from other clients?
A Criminal Defense Lawyer Will DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS!
A top criminal defense lawyer will improve your chances of winning your case or obtaining the best defense possible. Even if you qualify for a court-appointed attorney, you should speak to an experienced defense attorney to obtain a second opinion on your case.
To schedule a free initial telephone consultation with a criminal defense lawyer at McKellar & Easter, contact one of our offices in Tennessee — Knoxville and Nashville — or our office in Atlanta, Georgia, by calling 865-566-0125. You may also send us an email. We accept credit cards.