Why You Need An Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, from possession of a controlled substance to domestic abuse, you could find yourself faced with incarceration, substantial fines, a probationary period, a criminal record, and more negative outcomes that could follow you for the rest of your life. However, if you are able to act quickly and hire a criminal defense lawyer, you could have many of your charges either lowered or dropped, depending on your circumstances.
Anticipating Your Exposure
Your experienced criminal defense lawyer will be able to anticipate any potential exposure in terms of both a formal sentence and informal consequences that may affect you in the long run. You’ll want to have a clear understanding of the situation and charges that you will be facing, as well as the potential range of penalties in order to make the best decisions regarding specific plea deals and whether or not to proceed to trial. You’ll also want to understand the impact of a disposition, including penalty enhancement for future cases, eligibility for record clearing, and employment related consequences.
Understanding The Process
You’ll need to look for a criminal defense lawyer who has worked with cases like yours because they will have a better understanding of the legal matters relating to your case. A criminal defense lawyer who has worked in your area for a long time will also have a familiarity with local laws, prosecutors, and judges. It may be possible to intervene early in the legal process in some cases, which can impact the decision for the charges to be filed and the severity of those charges. The insider knowledge of your Winnipeg DUI lawyer can help you to evaluate plea offers, diversion opportunities, and potential defense strategies with insight into what you should expect from the prosecutor and the judge.
Mitigating The Impact To Your Family
Staying out of jail is going to be your first priority when you are accused of a crime. However, if jail time is likely or even inevitable, there are certain situations where you may want your family to be protected. Many professional criminal defense lawyers will help to mitigate the economic impact of your case on your family, including avoiding property and/or asset seizures.