The very idea that they could be arrested and charged for committing a crime is unthinkable for the vast majority of people. Yet the police arrest many ordinary people every year for a wide variety of reasons. Some failed to pay their taxes, others operated a vehicle whilst under the influence and many others simply made bad decisions or took chances the never should have. At least, with a criminal lawyer Hopewell VA accused can be sure of a fair hearing.
Among the rights every accused enjoy are the rights to legal representation and the right to refuse to make a statement or answer questions. It is generally agreed that it is best to insist upon these rights. When arrested, most people are nervous and stressed. This is when they often say things that will prove to be detrimental to their cases at a later stage. It is better to wait until an attorney is present.
The very first priority of an attorney will be to make sure that his client has been arrested legally and that all the rules have been followed in the process. If this is not the case he can often cause the charges against his client to be cancelled. The attorney will also review the case history and he will interview his client to get his side of the story. He will also be present when his client is interviewed by the authorities.
Next, the attorney will make arrangements for the release of his client on bail. In most cases this is a relatively simple procedure. The court simply needs to be reassured that the accused will not flee, that he will not interfere in the case against him and that he will appear in court on the date he has to. Once the accused have paid the bail, he will be allowed to go free.
The attorney will brief his client on the importance of adhering to the conditions of bail. If he does not do so, he can be arrested again and the second time round it will be very difficult to arrange for bail. The accused will also lose the money he posted as bail and he will face additional criminal charges. Some attorneys will even refuse to continue with a case if their clients breach the bail conditions.
The biggest mistake that many accused makes is to be dishonest with their attorneys. They are scared to admit to incriminating facts and they either lie or they omit the facts. This can have serious consequences because without all the facts the attorney cannot present a proper defence. Being caught out in a lie in court can have a seriously negative effect.
Because the courts are swamped with cases waiting to be heard, it is often possible to finalize the case without even appearing in court. This is done through plea bargaining. The accused agree to a sentence that the attorney negotiated with the prosecutor and he pleads guilty. The entire matter is finalized in chambers and the accused save a considerable amount in legal fees.
Legal cost can be very steep, especially if a case is heard in court and if many witnesses are called. Despite the cost, however, it is never a good idea to decide to represent oneself. The legal system is simply too complicated and it is very easy to make mistakes that will prove to be detrimental to the defence.
Among the rights every accused enjoy are the rights to legal representation and the right to refuse to make a statement or answer questions. It is generally agreed that it is best to insist upon these rights. When arrested, most people are nervous and stressed. This is when they often say things that will prove to be detrimental to their cases at a later stage. It is better to wait until an attorney is present.
The very first priority of an attorney will be to make sure that his client has been arrested legally and that all the rules have been followed in the process. If this is not the case he can often cause the charges against his client to be cancelled. The attorney will also review the case history and he will interview his client to get his side of the story. He will also be present when his client is interviewed by the authorities.
Next, the attorney will make arrangements for the release of his client on bail. In most cases this is a relatively simple procedure. The court simply needs to be reassured that the accused will not flee, that he will not interfere in the case against him and that he will appear in court on the date he has to. Once the accused have paid the bail, he will be allowed to go free.
The attorney will brief his client on the importance of adhering to the conditions of bail. If he does not do so, he can be arrested again and the second time round it will be very difficult to arrange for bail. The accused will also lose the money he posted as bail and he will face additional criminal charges. Some attorneys will even refuse to continue with a case if their clients breach the bail conditions.
The biggest mistake that many accused makes is to be dishonest with their attorneys. They are scared to admit to incriminating facts and they either lie or they omit the facts. This can have serious consequences because without all the facts the attorney cannot present a proper defence. Being caught out in a lie in court can have a seriously negative effect.
Because the courts are swamped with cases waiting to be heard, it is often possible to finalize the case without even appearing in court. This is done through plea bargaining. The accused agree to a sentence that the attorney negotiated with the prosecutor and he pleads guilty. The entire matter is finalized in chambers and the accused save a considerable amount in legal fees.
Legal cost can be very steep, especially if a case is heard in court and if many witnesses are called. Despite the cost, however, it is never a good idea to decide to represent oneself. The legal system is simply too complicated and it is very easy to make mistakes that will prove to be detrimental to the defence.
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Get a summary of the factors to consider when picking a criminal lawyer Hopewell VA area and more info about a knowledgeable attorney at http://lichlaw.com/hopewell-criminal-law now.
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