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.
The attorney will also take steps to arrange bail for his client. The courts routinely approve bail if they are convinced that the accused will appear again in court, that he will not meddle in the case and that he will comply with the other conditions. Once the bail amount is paid, the accused are allowed to go free. If he cannot afford the bail amount, the services of a bondsman can be arranged.
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.
One of the biggest dilemmas facing defence attorneys is a dishonest client. Accused often lie to their attorneys because they feel embarrassed or they worry that the true facts will damage their chances in court. Nothing can be further from the truth. The attorney needs to be in possession of all the facts, even if they are unsavoury. Being fully in the picture is the only way in which a proper defence can be prepared.
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.
The attorney will also take steps to arrange bail for his client. The courts routinely approve bail if they are convinced that the accused will appear again in court, that he will not meddle in the case and that he will comply with the other conditions. Once the bail amount is paid, the accused are allowed to go free. If he cannot afford the bail amount, the services of a bondsman can be arranged.
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.
One of the biggest dilemmas facing defence attorneys is a dishonest client. Accused often lie to their attorneys because they feel embarrassed or they worry that the true facts will damage their chances in court. Nothing can be further from the truth. The attorney needs to be in possession of all the facts, even if they are unsavoury. Being fully in the picture is the only way in which a proper defence can be prepared.
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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