Criminal Defense Lawyer West Lafayette, Indiana
Being accused of a criminal offense in West Lafayette Indiana is a serious matter. You may be facing misdemeanor or felony charges in more than one case. You need to retain a Criminal Defense Lawyer West Lafayette, Indiana so your constitutional rights are protected and defended. Contact Hall-Justice Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation during which we can discuss the facts of your case.
Why Do I Need To Retain A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Retaining a West Lafayette criminal defense lawyer will help you defend yourself at your arraignment and in any pre-trial hearings. If you attempt to defend yourself without a criminal defense lawyer you will likely complicate your case. You need to understand the rules of criminal procedure and any local court rules that are applicable in your area. By retaining a criminal defense lawyer you can have a legal professional defend your constitutional rights and hold the state accountable for overstepping its authority.
The charges against you may be reduced or dismissed if you retain a criminal defense lawyer. However, if you represent yourself you will likely have a more difficult time negotiating with the assistant district attorney prosecuting your case. West Lafayette Criminal defense lawyers know how to negotiate with prosecutors to help you receive a less severe conviction or reduced charges.
What Are My Rights After I Am Arrested?
You may generally be arrested if any of the following are true:
- A court of law has issued an arrest warrant
- You are a suspect in a crime and law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe you committed a crime
- Law enforcement officers personally observe you committing a crime
Specific procedures must be adhered to once you are placed under arrest. You must be read your Miranda rights once you are arrested. These include the right to remain silent, a warning that anything can be used against you, your right to have a lawyer present during any questioning by law enforcement, and notice that if you cannot afford a lawyer one will be provided to you.
It is recommended that you remain silent until you speak with a West Lafayette criminal defense lawyer. You do not want to inadvertently state anything that may harm your case or your chances of having charges reduced or dismissed. Police cannot use your silence against you to suggest that you were responsible for the crime.
Once you are placed under arrest you will go through the booking process. You will be taken into police custody and booked at a police station. If you committed a minor offense you may be released shortly after going through the booking process. For other arrests, and definitely any felony arrest, you will remain in jail until the date of your arraignment.
An arraignment is the first appearance. The charges will be read against you and you will enter a plea. Arraignments must be held within two court days. Bail is usually set by a bail schedule and it will be different in each county.
Do I Need an Attorney if I’ve Been Charged with a Misdemeanor?
It is critically important to speak with a dedicated criminal defense lawyer West Lafayette, IN residents trust, regardless of whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. As the experienced attorneys at Hall-Justice Law Firm LLC can attest, all too often, individuals are under the impression that because they have been charged with a “lesser” crime, they don’t need to pursue a criminal defense strategy vigorously. This is a false impression. Simply because a misdemeanor is not as serious as a felony in terms of classification does not mean that conviction of a misdemeanor offense is free from the risk of serious consequences.
Potential Consequences of a Conviction
As our firm’s West Lafayette criminal defense lawyer team can explain in greater detail, the potential consequences associated with a criminal conviction can be life-altering. Most misdemeanor offenses and all felony offenses carry the risk of a term of incarceration as one potential consequence of a conviction. The primary difference between felonies and misdemeanors is that incarceration for a misdemeanor is generally served in a county jail for less than one year. By contrast, incarceration for a felony is generally served in prison for a term that exceeds one year.
Additionally, judges may sentence those convicted of criminal wrongdoing to a term of probation, significant community service hour requirements, steep fines, mandatory anger management or substance abuse treatment, registration as a sex offender, the loss of one’s driver’s license, etc.
Oftentimes, the social, practical, and financial challenges associated with a conviction are even more life-altering than the immediate sentencing-related consequences of a conviction. For example, many individuals who face even a minimum term of imprisonment lose their source of employment and their housing because they aren’t available to work and they do not have the means to pay their rent. Additionally, the stigma that is associated with criminal conviction and a criminal record tends to make it much harder for those who have been convicted to seek gainful employment, higher education, adequate housing, and even volunteer opportunities in the future. Some individuals even lose the ability to continue seeing their children if the nature of their alleged wrongdoing leads a court to believe that they are no longer in a position to act in their children’s best interests.
Mounting a Strong Criminal Defense Strategy
It is for all these reasons and more why it is so critical to connect with a dedicated West Lafayette criminal defense lawyer at Hall-Justice Law Firm LLC as soon as you have been charged with criminal wrongdoing. Behaving proactively will give you the best possible chance at protecting your legal rights and mounting a successful criminal defense. If it proves to be impossible to win your case outright, working with an attorney right away can help to ensure that you are spared from the most challenging consequences that you could possibly be tagged with in the event of a conviction.
Contact Hall-Justice Law Firm Today To Schedule A Free Consultation
Contact Hall-Justice Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation during which we can discuss the facts of your case. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime contact Hall-Justice Law Firm at (765) 246-9900 to learn more about the legal services we offer.