Once you are charged with a crime or are arrested, you can count on the prosecution having a serious head start. Taking your time before reaching out for legal guidance at this juncture leaves you at a distinct disadvantage.
In the end, if you take only one relevant point away from this post, it’s that the sooner you consult with an experienced Killeen criminal defense attorney in the face of criminal charges – or potential criminal charges – the better prepared you’ll be to beat the charge or obtain a favorable resolution. Don’t delay reaching out for the skilled legal guidance you need.
If You Are Tempted to Wait
Those accused of crimes are often tempted to wait when it comes to calling in reinforcements in the form of skilled legal representation, and it’s not hard to understand why. To begin, people are busy, and facing a criminal charge on top of everything else that life throws our way can be truly overwhelming.
Further, the fear associated with the potential penalties of a conviction is daunting, and burying your head in the sand may seem preferable. Finally, many people who face criminal charges don’t want others to know about their predicament, so they put off taking steps to address the matter head-on.
If any of these concerns interfere with you picking up the phone and consulting with a well-respected criminal defense attorney, you are not alone. You are encouraged to put these concerns aside and to discuss your situation with an attorney. Seasoned criminal defense lawyers have heard all of these reasons and many more, and we appreciate your position.
The fact is, however, that until you secure trusted legal counsel, you are far more vulnerable to harsh consequences, and it makes building your strongest defense that much more challenging. Once you begin working closely with a dedicated criminal defense attorney, you’ll be glad you did.
Case-Altering Deadlines Can Come at you Quickly
If you’re facing a criminal charge, there’s a lot to take in, and you may need a moment to absorb it all. It’s important to note, however, that some common charges come with dates and deadlines that can seriously affect what’s to come and can alter the outcome of your case.
For example, in the face of a DWI charge, you must request an alternative license revocation (ALR) hearing in order to obtain a restricted license within a short window of time or lose your right to contest the matter.
Other cases in which time is of the essence include but are not limited to the following:
● Cases involving sexual charges
It’s Never Too Soon to Call
If you have been charged with a crime, have been arrested for a crime, or are being questioned regarding a crime, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, and you are very well advised to take advantage of both. You may be convinced of your innocence, but this does not mean that granting the police an interview is going to serve your best interests.
The police are skilled in the techniques of culling responses from defendants that are later used against them to impressive effect, and you don’t have to be guilty for this to happen. It’s always in your best interest to save your breath until you have a savvy criminal defense attorney in your corner.
Even if you simply suspect that there’s a warrant out for your arrest or that one may be forthcoming, calling a knowledgeable defense attorney can make a considerable difference. If the circumstances of your case call for it, a consultation may be in order. At that point, however, all you may need is some advice about how best to proceed.
Your case will be unique to you and the specific situation at hand, and the sooner it’s assessed by a practiced legal professional, the sooner you can proceed with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re not alone, that you’re in capable legal hands, and that you’re not playing into the traps set by the prosecution.
The Police Aren’t Attorneys and They Aren’t Required to Tell You the Truth
While the police are required to stop questioning you as soon as you request an attorney, this doesn’t mean that they won’t be very interested in everything you have to say beyond this point. In fact, until you invoke your right to remain silent, anything you say can be used against you, and if you continue talking beyond this point, the same is true.
Once you let the police know that you won’t be answering questions and that you want an attorney, it’s time to hold firm and to remain silent.
Too many people who are accused of crimes are moved by the appeals the authorities interviewing them make regarding how the law works. The police are not lawyers, and even if they know the law inside and out, they aren’t required to be truthful with defendants.
Vulnerable clients are too often convinced by the well-chosen words of those who are questioning them to lay their souls bare, and it rarely works to their advantage. Yes, it’s scary to hear that the police have evidence against you, but just because they tell you this does not make it true.
Instead of attempting to change the officer’s mind regarding your innocence, ask for an attorney and resolve to keep your thoughts to yourself.
If This Happens, It’s Time to Call
There are certain instances when it is always to your advantage to call an attorney whose practice is dedicated to criminal defense, and knowing what they are can help you better protect your rights.
You’ve Been Charged with a Crime or Have Been Arrested
You likely don’t need to be told that if you are facing a criminal charge or if you have been arrested, you shouldn’t waste a second thinking about your options – it’s time to call in a criminal defense attorney. Doing so can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, and the stakes are too high not to protect yourself from the start.
You Are Under Investigation
If you have reason to believe – or have a hunch – that you may be under investigation for a crime in Texas, you shouldn’t wait to consult with a focused criminal defense lawyer. Instead of biding your time while the prosecution builds a case against you, being proactive can prove especially beneficial.
Your attorney has the skill and legal insight to ensure that the state’s investigation is limited to lawful proceedings, including matters related to search and seizure.
If You Face a Jail Sentence
If the charge in question carries a significant jail or prison sentence, the stakes are very high, which makes having an attorney on your side that much more important. Even if you can avoid jail time by pleading guilty, it means that you’ll have a criminal conviction on your record, which carries serious social consequences like the following that you may not have even considered:
● It can directly affect your ability to get a job.
● It can directly affect your ability to rent a home or to obtain a home loan and buy a house.
● It can affect your professional licensure – and your career.
● It can negatively affect your overall standing in the community – criminal records are a matter of public information.
● It can interfere with your efforts to further your education by leaving you ineligible for federal student loans.
Never underestimate the consequences of a criminal conviction of any kind.
You Have a Prior Conviction
The situation is that much more serious if you have a prior criminal conviction on your record, which can lead to an enhanced charge and harsher penalties. This isn’t something you should attempt to handle on your own.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
If you’re facing a criminal charge, your compassionate criminal defense attorney will handle a wide range of primary tasks that are designed to protect your rights and guide your case effectively and efficiently forward toward an advantageous conclusion.
Supporting the Presumption of Innocence in Your Case
Our criminal justice system is based on the presumption that every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until they’re proven guilty through the fair application of the criminal justice process. This presumption, however, often gets lost in the shuffle, and too many defendants are treated as if they are absolutely guilty from the get-go.
Your attorney will serve as a protective shield in the face of potential system abuses as they guide your case smoothly forward – never losing sight of your presumed innocence.
Protecting Your Constitutional Rights
Defendants have the legal right to legal counsel because, without the checks and balances that defense attorneys provide, the prosecution has the capacity to bulldoze them into overly harsh sentences. Criminal defense attorneys not only have a close working knowledge of criminal law but are also motivated to protect their clients’ rights within this framework.
Implementing Their Keen Legal Knowledge
Criminal cases involve complex legal intricacies that are exceptionally difficult to navigate, but your attorney’s keen understanding of the legal landscape will be put to good use building your strongest defense and ensuring that the legal system doesn’t overstep its reach. This brand of legal leverage can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
Tailoring an Effective Defense Strategy to Your Unique Case
No two criminal cases are identical, and effective defense strategies must be tailored to the unique cases at hand. Your criminal defense attorney is well-equipped to make this happen.
They will carefully analyze all the available evidence in your case, including that information that the prosecution and the police would prefer to keep from you, in search of prosecutorial weaknesses and in order to craft a defense strategy that the state has difficulty refuting.
Engaging in Skilled Negotiations
Many, many criminal cases are settled out of court. Barring the charge against you being dropped entirely, which is the ultimate goal, this generally means pleading guilty to a lesser charge or receiving a lesser sentence. While this is sometimes the best course of action, it isn’t always.
If you have a strong defense strategy, proceeding to trial affords the opportunity to keep a conviction off your record. Each case must be considered in light of its own merits and challenges, and your attorney will be well prepared to confidently negotiate a plea deal that upholds your legal rights and supports your brightest future.
Skillfully Representing You at Trial
If heading to court is the right path for you, your criminal defense attorney will ably serve as your loyal advocate – in fierce pursuit of a not guilty verdict. Courtroom experience will play a key role in your attorney’s effectiveness, which makes having a seasoned professional representing you an excellent plan.
An Experienced Killeen Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard – a trusted Texas criminal defense group in Killeen, Texas – is a diligent criminal defense attorney with decades of imposing experience who is committed to unleashing the full force of his legal skill on your behalf and in focused pursuit of your case’s best possible resolution.
The charge against you is far too important to leave to chance, so please don’t put off contacting or calling us at 254-781-4222 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do to help you today.