The criminal justice system is a stressful place to be, and you are dealing with it when your future is on the line. When you have been charged with a criminal offense in Westcliff, obtain vigorous legal representation from an experienced criminal defense lawyer at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard. Help is one phone call away. 

What Happens After I Have Been Arrested?

Right after you have been arrested is a perilous time in your legal case. You are initially held in custody until you can be booked and processed. You will make your initial appearance in court, where you are informed of the charges against you, and you will enter your plea. The judge will make a decision about whether you can be released from custody (either on your own recognizance or after paying bail or posting a bond) or must be held pending trial. At that point, you will begin work on your own legal defense.

Over time, you will come to learn of the strength of the prosecution’s case, since they are not allowed to surprise you in court by presenting evidence that they have not shared with you first. You will be faced with a choice of whether to seek a plea bargain or fight the charges against you. If your choice is the former, your criminal defense attorney negotiates with the prosecutor to receive the most favorable possible deal. If you fight the charges, your case will head to court in front of a jury, who renders a verdict on the charges. 

What Are the Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Westcliff?

Any criminal conviction, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, has the potential to lead to jail time. Although going to prison is not a certainty, it is a prospect that you are always facing when you have been charged with a crime.

In addition to possible incarceration, you may also face the following consequences:

• A criminal record that can follow you for life and make it more difficult to find a job or a place to live
• The social stigma of being a convicted criminal
• Depending on the nature and severity of the crime, the loss of your right to own a firearm
• The loss of your right to vote before you have completed all of the requirements of your sentence
• The potential for removal from the country if you are not a United States citizen
• Impacts to any custody matter you have ongoing

Therefore, you must consider all of the consequences before choosing on any course of action. A Westcliff criminal defense lawyer can evaluate your situation and give you advice on how to proceed. 

A Westcliff Criminal Defense Attorney Helps You Avoid Making Mistakes

The potential consequences that result from a criminal conviction mean that you cannot afford to take any chances. On your own, you may be prone to make errors that can harm your own criminal defense, whether out of fear or lack of knowledge of your rights. For example, you may commit the following unforced errors that can undermine your legal defense:

• Speaking to law enforcement when you are under no obligation to do so without the presence of a criminal defense attorney
• Consenting to searches on your own when the police officer does not have either probable cause or a search warrant
• Pleading guilty to the charges when you could have received a reduced sentence as part of a plea bargain
• Not appearing in court when you are required

Hiring a Westcliff criminal defense lawyer early in your case can keep you from making those mistakes. They will advise you of your legal rights immediately, and their presence can keep law enforcement from violating them. Your criminal defense lawyer works for the best possible outcome in your case, and their knowledge of the legal system can help them obtain that result. Most of all, the presence of a lawyer who is spearheading your defense means that you can at least obtain some peace of mind when you are going through a difficult period in your life. 

Criminal Cases We Handle

At The Law Office of Brett H.Pritchard, our criminal defense lawyers have helped clients with the following types of cases:

• DWI
• Assaults
• Thefts
• Burglary
• Shoplifting
• Criminal Mischief
• Drug Offenses
• Bond Hearings
• Juvenile Crimes 
• State Offenses

Contact a Westcliff Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are facing criminal charges, do not leave your future to chance. A Westcliff criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard can protect your rights, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Early legal representation matters. Contact our office today by messaging us online or by calling us at 254-781-4222 to schedule a confidential consultation and start building your defense.