If you are facing a criminal charge, you have many concerns and questions. The consequences of a conviction are far too serious to leave the matter to chance, and because your case is unique to the exact circumstances involved, you are well-advised to seek the professional legal counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Nevertheless, the answers to the following frequently asked questions can help you move forward with increased confidence and purpose.
Should I Talk to the Police?
If you have been charged with a crime, you may be inclined to present your side of the story to the police at your earliest opportunity, but very rarely is this a good idea. The short answer to the questions of whether or not you should speak to the police is no, wait until your attorney arrives before providing the police with anything other than your most-basic identifying information.
What Is an Arraignment?
If you have ever enjoyed a court drama on television, you have heard the term arraignment bandied about, but you may not understand its meaning. Your arraignment refers to your first appearance in court after being charged with a crime (regardless of whether you were ever arrested or taken into custody). During your arraignment, the following will occur:
You will be formally presented with the charges the state is bringing against you.
You will be asked to plead to the charges in play (generally, your plea will be either not guilty, guilty, or no contest).
The court will determine whether you should be released or detained and, if you are detained, your bail will be set.
What Is the Purpose of Bail?
If bail is set at your arraignment, it refers to an amount of money that you put down in exchange for your temporary release from custody. The purpose of bail is to allow you the time necessary to adequately prepare your defense in response to the charges brought against you – while helping to ensure that you return to court on your trial date (when the bail amount is returned to you).
Will I Have A Preliminary Hearing?
If you are charged with a violent crime, you will likely have a preliminary hearing at which the judge will evaluate whether there is adequate probable cause to justify moving forward with a criminal case and whether the prosecution has adequate evidence to charge you with the crime in question. In a preliminary hearing, the standard of proof is far lower than it will be at trial, but your attorney will have the opportunity to view your case from every angle to proceed accordingly.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Killeen Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you are facing a criminal charge, Brett Pritchard at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, is a well-regarded criminal defense attorney who dedicates his practice to zealously helping clients like you obtain favorable case resolutions. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at (254) 781-4222 today.