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Showing posts with the label criminal attorney

What Does a Guilty Plea Mean?

Being legally guilty of an offence, and the concept of guilt as we know it in everyday life, are not necessarily the same thing. Being legally guilty can be quite complicated and involves principles your lawyer or duty counsel can explain to you. In order to plead guilty, the physical acts (or omissions) that you agree took place have to amount to a criminal offence. You also had to have a guilty “state of mind” at the time of the offence. In most cases, this means that your actions amounted to a criminal offence and that you meant to do it. Doing something accidently is generally not enough to support a guilty plea for most offences. Why Hire a Criminal Lawyer for Your Guilty Plea? a criminal lawyer can get to know you and your case better a criminal lawyer has more time to dedicate to researching important aspects of your case you can’t choose which duty counsel you get, but you can select your criminal lawyer a criminal lawyer does not have to prioritize clients in the same...

The Point of Having a Criminal Lawyer

If you or someone close to you have been arrested or made the subject of a criminal investigation, you may need the abrupt assistance of an experienced criminal lawyer . Remember, no two criminal cases are the same. Hence, it is crucial to understand all the nuances of your case, and the laws and arguments that can work in your favor. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer would be trained and have ample experience and will know exactly how to present your case in the court. Additionally, your lawyer may be able to pinpoint certain arguments and factors that could mitigate or even negate an allegation. If you’ve been charged with a major offense and the possible verdict is the stuff your nightmares are made of, then getting a criminal lawyer to represent you in your trial may just be a necessity. A criminal lawyer can provide invaluable service during a person’s criminal defense case. Some defendants may not see the point in hiring an attorney, however. This is especially the...

Criminal Lawyer Fairfax VA: Phases of Criminal Litigation

Facing criminal charges and want do defend yourself from a criminal allegation? Then you need to know the phases of criminal proceedings. Criminal litigation can be complex in nature depending on your case; it is a serious one, expect a huge turn of events. But don’t stress yourself too much because you have civil rights in order to defend yourself. In fact, a specific clause from the due process states, “may not be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.” The legal procedure used by any criminal justice system varies because every criminal case has a unique aspect. Less to say, here are the basic stages or phases when undergoing criminal litigation : Phase 1: Arrest The initial phase of the criminal proceeding is to arrest the suspect which is done by a police officer. Yet, before the police can arrest, they should: (1) observe the person committing a crime; (2) have probable cause to present, and believe that a crime has been committed by that person; ...

The True Importance of Hiring a Criminal Lawyer

Sometimes life explodes in front of you! You could be at your workplace or even going out for a movie. When all of a sudden – authorities show up and start questioning you about an incident and try to pin you down. What if a girl whom you have been seeing and having a sexual relationship said she got raped by you! It would really be hard if one of the detectives was convinced that you are guilty of doing the crime because of your physical features. Say, you have a long hair plus a tattoo! You don’t want your life to turn into hell all of sudden. Your afraid to call the local lawyers because you think they are lame and would probably make side deals. You will definitely be nailed from the crime especially if the other party’s lawyer is friends with the prosecutor. Put in mind that consequences of a false report of rape can be devastating to the life of the one accused. Often, the mere suggestion that a person has done something is enough to convict them in the court of public opini...

Questions To Ask When Consulting A Criminal Lawyer

There are also things you have to prepare before consulting a criminal lawyer, and one important part of it is a list of questions to ask a lawyer. A consultation gives you the opportunity to properly assess a lawyer who perfectly matches your personal qualifications and the nature of your case. You can decide either to hire such lawyer or not. This will help you go throughout the whole process smoothly, thereafter avoid complications in the future. Ask many questions as you can as long as they are relevant to your case. Also, try to ask questions related to a lawyer’s expertise, experience, and fees. You have to be honest as well as you state your case to prevent misconceptions which can lead to bigger mistakes in the end. Here are common questions you should ask to your lawyer: 1. How long have you been practicing law? An experienced lawyer would be of great help to you. If he/she has been practicing law for a long time, such lawyer surely handled hundreds of cases already...

Are You Unhappy with Your Criminal Lawyer?

If you are arrested and have to go to court to face charges you need to have a reliable criminal lawyer. But sometimes we live in an imperfect world. Some criminal lawyers unfairly have a bit of a bad reputation. Yes, some lie for a living and defend murderers for money -- but the system simply doesn't work without them. No doubt most are honest folk who do their jobs within the code of ethics all lawyers work under. What are some red flags that will make you unhappy with your criminal lawyer. Continue reading below to know what to do. Your Criminal Lawyer Has Poor Communication Lawyer communication refers to the correspondence and communication between a client and his/her attorney. If your lawyer does not respond, or subsequent meetings or conversations are not fruitful, consider suggesting mediation to work out your communication problems if you still want this lawyer to represent you. A bad deskside manner doesn't mean that the lawyer isn't an excellent lawyer...

How Not to Fall for a Bad Criminal Lawyer?

Selecting the right lawyer can be very confusing. The decision should not be made on who you are drawn to. That is who you like the most. Equally important it should not be based on which law firm has the lowest fee scale. Both are factors but not the key factors to consider as most critical. Bad legal advice is everywhere on the internet. Innocent people are arrested too often. A good criminal  lawyer will hold the government accountable for their actions. He or she takes a great amount of pride in making sure that a client is given every right and protection under the law. A good criminal lawyer wants his or her clients to be fully informed about their rights. Don’t get upset when you read some terrible legal advice on the internet because if you will follow these tips, it will not hurt your case and will not increase the likelihood of you going to jail. A Criminal Lawyer Is Not a General Practitioner When the government alleges the commission of a crime, many times they w...

How to Identify a Good Criminal Lawyer

Do you know anyone who wants to go to prison? I bet none. Who on earth would like to give up his/her freedom just to rot in a cell? If you happen to be charged with a crime, you surely want to work with a reliable attorney. Here are some criteria on how to identify a good criminal attorney: 1. You will know that you hired a good criminal attorney when you he/she executed measures beforehand to protect and defend your constitutional rights. That the justice system treated you fair and square. Even if an attorney is representing a murderer or a thief, he/she is obliged to show in court his/her firm stand on the case. 2. Does a good reputation matters when looking for a criminal attorney fairfax va ? Yes, because it does entail that he/she handled cases very well in the past with so much credibility. A good reputation also means an established relationship with the judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and cops. A chit chat and exchange of smiles with them - your attorney...

Criminal Lawyer Fairfax VA: Warning Signs When Hiring One

That’s it! You have just made one of the biggest mistakes of your life and worse – you are facing legal charges. What will you do? As an immediate offense, you need to team-up with a criminal attorney in your area. But what if that legal counsel will turn out into a fluke, someone who isn’t the right one to defend the charges filed against you.  Below are the top mistakes that one should stay clear so you wouldn’t be further dragged behind the 8-ball. When You Hire Someone Whose Field of Specialty is Not Criminal Law At first thought, it may be a good idea to hire a close friend or family who practices law. However, what if his or her specialization is not criminal law. And what if the one you hire is an inexperience one? Should you choose to place your freedom in the hands of someone with little criminal defense experience, you’re setting yourself up for failure. At first thought, this may seem like a reasonable idea and potential way to save big money in your case....

Find a Criminal Lawyer with a Fair Number of Courtroom Experience

No one wants to have a criminal charge. But, if you are, or, if one of your friends or loved ones is, what do you look for when hiring a criminal defense lawyer ? What traits do you think are most important? Here are the important things to consider when deciding whether you’ve got a good defense attorney or not. Find a Criminal Lawyer with a Fair Number of Courtroom Experience Before heading to court, you need to ask your prospective criminal lawyer these questions. First: How many years has he or she been practicing criminal law? Second: How many trials has he or she handled? Remember, court room time is expensive and you need a representation who has that years of experience and has handled similar cases such as yours. Handing what will be your life moving forward to a newbie is a big no-no. Your counsel should have familiarize himself or herself with the whole court procedure. Never pick a lawyer who has been known to settle. Additional areas of expertise are needed in jury...

Criminal Lawyer Fairfax VA: How Does One Become a Lawyer

Criminal law is a popular choice among lawyers as it's a dynamic and exciting world. Appearing in court, working all hours with clients, and being an individual who has the deciding power over a given situation are all part of being a criminal lawyer . Most people who want to become a criminal lawyer in the United States have a bachelor’s degree in law. Here we take a look at how you can become a criminal lawyer in the United States. Do you have a passion for the law and the legal profession? Criminal law is that branch of the legal framework that deals with cases related to criminal offences - ranging from domestic violence, robbery, sexual assault and murder to more recent offences like those connected to cyber-crime, internet fraud, etc. As a criminal lawyer in fairfax va , you could get to represent individuals or the State on anything from a traffic violation to homicide. Earn Your Bachelor's Degree A bachelor's degree is required in order for you to get into...

Who is a Criminal Lawyer?

It has been assumed that you have prior knowledge of who is a criminal attorney and what he/she does under the Federal law. To stretch it out, a criminal attorney serves as a defender and he/she is the one who provides legal representation for individuals and organizations who have been charged with crimes. Cases range from fraud, conspiracy, racketeering, violent crimes, sex crimes and drug crimes. What Does a Criminal Attorney Should Do? As pinpointed, a criminal attorney in fairfax va is a defender who is obliged to give a thorough look into the case and must follow certain procedures and protocols in order to come up and must come up with a systematic strategy. Keep in mind that a criminal attorney must: ● Investigate the case ● Conduct an interview of witnesses ● Have an in-depth research of case law, regulations, crime codes and procedural law ● Develop a firm defense and powerful case strategy ● Petition for lesser charges through an agreed ...

Criminal Lawyer Fairfax VA: Why You Should Consult

If you have been charged with any crime – even the lowest-level misdemeanor – then you know how frightening and awkward it can be. If you have never been cornered by the criminal justice system before, then you may grasp by now that it is intimidating and bewildering. The Need for Someone with a Legal Knowledge A criminal lawyer will gauge the prosecutor’s case and consider complex legal information that they have gained through years of education and experience. Although you are legally allowed to represent yourself during the criminal justice process, you do not likely have the extensive legal knowledge to do so adequately and may only jeopardize your case. The Need for An Objective Opinion An experienced criminal lawyer in Fairfax VA can examine your situation, review all the presented evidence, weigh down the most effective back-up defense, and offer you with an objective opinion regarding your legal options plus the best and worst-case scenarios that may fall on you...

Coexistence of Racketeering and Organized-Crime Operations

Racketeering Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organizations Act (RICO) defined racketeering as a pattern of illegal activity carried out as part of an enterprise owned or controlled by those who are engaged in the illegal activity. Racketeering and Organized-Crime Operations Operating legitimate enterprises as a cover-up for organized-crimes is the recourse of criminal groups and families to extort money illegally, which usually include illegal gambling rings, loan sharking, transportation of stolen goods, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, illegal weapons trafficking and extortion. How To Prosecute Racketeers Under RICO? Under RICO, prosecutors will only have to prove that the defendant owns and/or manages an organization; and the organization regularly performs one or more illegal activity. Therefore, proving the direct involvement of the suspect in a crime is no longer necessary.  Racketeering Activities Under Federal Law Bribery Bribery is to influence or alter ...