Facing criminal charges can be terrifying. You are, of course, innocent until proven guilty, but it does not always feel that way. Simply fighting criminal charges can be incredibly costly and devastating for your reputation.
When you are facing criminal charges, you need the help of a highly skilled Koreatown criminal defense attorney. When the State is trying to take away your freedom, fight back. Contact Simmrin Law Group for a free consultation.
Never Talk to the Police
The most important thing that you need to know about defending a criminal conviction is that you should never speak to the police. Even if you are completely innocent, do not speak to the police other than to demand a lawyer. When you have been arrested, you have a constitutional right not to speak to the police.
Once you have been charged with a crime, the 6th Amendment to the Constitution gives you the right to an attorney. Once you hire an attorney, they will speak to prosecutors and the police on your behalf. The police must allow you to obtain a lawyer if you demand one after being arrested.
If you are denied your right to counsel, or if the police do not inform you of your right to an attorney prior to questioning you, this might be grounds for dismissal of your case. Your criminal defense lawyer in Koreatown will help you navigate all of the issues that you will face and use any mistakes made by the police or prosecutors to aid in your defense.
The Criminal Process
All criminal cases follow the same general process. There are several steps that occur during every criminal case.
The Arrest
The first step of the process is arrest. There must be probable cause, which is a reasonable basis to believe that you committed a crime to be arrested. For this to be accomplished by the police, they must either have probable cause or they must act based upon an arrest warrant issued by a court.
Charges
After your arrest, the prosecutor will choose whether or not to charge you with a crime. If they do not charge you, you will be released. If they do charge you, the case will move on to the next step.
After you are arrested, you will quickly be taken to a hearing before a judge. This hearing serves two purposes. First, the judge will determine whether probable cause exists for you to go to trial. Second, the judge will determine whether you should be released on bail and then set that bail.
The Pretrial Stage
This is the time when both sides will compile evidence and build their case. Your criminal defense lawyer in Koreatown will also use this time to negotiate with the prosecutor, and maybe get you a good deal in exchange for pleading guilty, rather than fighting the case in court.
The Trial
If your case does go to trial, the prosecutor will have to introduce evidence before the jury to prove that you are guilty of the crime you are charged with beyond a reasonable doubt. Your defense attorney will also present counter-evidence to discredit the prosecution’s case. The overwhelming majority of criminal cases do not make it this far.
Post-Trial
If you are convicted, this is where the judge will review the crimes that you have been convicted of and determine how you should be punished. You will normally be given the opportunity to speak on your own behalf and sometimes call witnesses to speak on your character.
If your trial was not fair or it was legally deficient in some way, you and your lawyer can file an appeal. This means that your case will be reviewed by a panel of judges on a higher court, who will either affirm, leave in place, or reverse your conviction. If they reverse, they will normally order the lower court to hold a new trial.
This process can be very complicated and intimidating. For this reason, you need the help of a Koreatown criminal defense lawyer who can help you navigate the process.
Practice Areas
At Simmrin Law Group, we are experienced in multiple different areas of criminal law. If you have been arrested for any of the following crimes, we can provide you with a skilled and professional legal defense.
- DUI – Whether it is your first, second, third, or fourth offense
- Drug Crimes – For all types of drugs and drug offenses
- Crimes Involving Theft
- White Collar Crimes – meaning non-violent crimes usually committed in business settings
- Sex Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Federal Crimes – Practicing in federal court requires separate admission to the bar of that court
- Traffic Violations – Anything from speeding tickets to reckless driving
For any crime that you have been arrested for, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, is minor or major, or involves heavy jail time or just a minor fine, you need the help of excellent criminal defense attorneys in Koreatown. You do not need to feel like you are alone, we are here to help you. Contact Simmrin Law Group for excellent legal representation.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney in Koreatown
Good people can end up in bad situations. Every person deserves zealous and competent legal counsel, and Simmrin Law Group will provide just that. You deserve the best defense possible. Don’t get railroaded in Court, hire a professional criminal defense attorney.
If you are facing criminal charges, contact Simmrin Law Group for a free consultation.