If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, then you might be in a dilemma. There is likely a lot on your mind, including whether you should hire a lawyer or not. This blog post will provide you with a few tips to help you decide on this important issue.
If you are accused of shoplifting, theft, assault, or any other criminal charges, your best option would be to hire a lawyer. This will save you both time and money in the long run.
Whether you are at fault or not, fighting criminal charges is quite a complicated task. It will consume a lot of time and is an emotional process. Knowing that someone is fighting for you and your rights can give you the security and comfort you need during this difficult time.
Experience and expertise are necessary for successfully handling any criminal case. A good lawyer will have extensive knowledge in the various aspects of criminal law and will be able to understand the different defenses that can be used in your case.
Your attorney will not only make it convenient for you to deal with the complex law system but will also navigate through the intricacies of the case. Some examples of criminal charges that are best handled by an attorney include:
- Assault and Battery Charges
- Drug Charges
- Fraud and financial crime charges
- Alcohol charges
- Theft charges
- Homicide charges
However, criminal law is very vast and there may be other criminal-related matters that require the assistance of a lawyer.
Assault and Battery Charges
One of the most common types of criminal charges are assault and battery charges. While these are common crimes, every situation is different and the outcome of the criminal cases can vary. Some cases are straightforward while others may involve complexities.
If you have been accused of assault and battery, it is best to hire a lawyer. This will be beneficial for your case because a lawyer can present a strong defense in your favor. Your potential penalties, such as jail time and fines, may even get reduced.
An attorneys will often prepare a self-defense strategy to fight accusations of assault and battery. This defense is available when you used force to protect yourself or someone else and the amount of force used was reasonable. Your attorney will also have to prove that you did not provoke the other party and there was no chance to escape from the situation.
The voluntary consent defense can also be used to fight assault and battery charges. If the other party consented to certain acts, they cannot then claim that they were assaulted.
An example of this would be if two people got into a fight and both parties agreed to fight. However, if the extent of the act goes beyond the consent, then assault and battery charges may be imposed.
Drug Charges
Many illicit drugs have been outlawed both at the state and federal levels. If you are associated with the distribution, possession, trafficking, or cultivating of these drugs, or if you have been involved in a car accident while under the influence of drugs, serious consequences may follow.
There can be severe penalties imposed on you for being associated with illegal drugs. If you have been involved in one of these scenarios, you can seek guidance from a legal expert.
They may defend you against the drug charges by proving that there was an illegal search conducted by the law enforcement officers. They may also prove your innocence by showing evidence that drugs did not belong to you or you were forced to carry drugs for someone else.
Fraud or Financial Crime Charges
These charges are a form of theft where someone obtains money from another individual and then uses it illegally to make monetary gains. Fraud charges involve breaking of trust or deceiving someone.
These charges are different from ordinary theft or robbery. Some of the examples of fraud charges are forgery, wire fraud, insurance fraud, and debit/credit card fraud.
Fraud or financial crime charges are types of white-collar crime. If you are accused of any form of fraud, do not speak to any criminal investigator before discussing it with your legal counselor.
Alcohol Crime Charges
Different crimes are linked with alcohol consumption. There is a wide range of crimes that are alcohol-related, including:
- Driving Under the influence (DUI)
- Public intoxication
- The one who is involved in possession of alcohol is a minor
If you were charged with one of these alcohol-related crimes, then you should seek help from a lawyer. They will help you understand your rights and represent you in court to prove your innocence.
Theft Charges
Theft charges are imposed on people who take possession of another’s property without their permission. There are various different types of theft a person may be charged with.
The theft charges and their punishments will differ according to the type and worth of the property. Generally, theft can be categorized into two categories: Petty theft and grand theft. Petty theft involves stealing less valuable property. Grand theft involves stealing more valuable items, and therefore has harsher penalties.
Homicide Charges
Homicide is an act in which one person is involved in taking the life of another individual. There are also various types of homicide charges, and the charges and penalties will differ according to the type of homicide.
Homicide charges carry some of the most serious penalties. Therefore, when someone is charged with a homicide, they will need an experienced lawyer to prove their innocence.
When it comes to homicide charges, an accused should not waste any time before hiring a Philadelphia Criminal attorney. The lawyer will help you understand the homicide charges against you and help you mount a defense to prove your innocence.