Do I even need a lawyer?
Getting arrested is serious. It risks taking away everything you are, and everything you’re going to be. That’s why it is so important for you to get the advice, support and the guidance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Yes, you can have a public defender appointed to defend you, if you qualify. But while many public defenders are excellent attorneys, many are not. The same can be said for a private defense attorney. The difference is, you get to choose the private attorney that you feel will work best for you. With a public defender, it’s the luck of the draw. Frias Law Firm is dedicated to getting you the best result possible. We have the experience and the knowledge necessary to make sure you have the best defense.
What should I do if I get arrested?
If you are arrested, the first thing you need to do is remain calm. You aren’t going to just talk your way out of this. If the police think there is reason enough to arrest you, the best thing you can do is stop talking and ask for a lawyer.
I was accused of a crime and the police want to question me. What should I do?
The most important thing you can do is to talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney. With their help, you can strategize the best way to handle the situation, or even have them talk to the police for you. Many times, just having a defense attorney step in can pump the brakes on an investigation and save you the horrible experience of having to deal with an arrest and defending yourself in court.
How long will my case take?
There is no way to really answer this. It should take as long as is necessary to get the best possible result. Depending on who you hire, it can vary. Some firms are about turnover. They will take on your case, appear once or twice, and then have you come in and plea guilty once you’ve paid. A good criminal defense attorney will not charge you by the appearance but will charge you for the case. If they can get you the best result in one or two court appearances, then that’s good. But many times, you may have to go back to court, again and again, in order to keep shopping your case around and find a prosecutor or a judge that will really listen to your facts. If that takes several appearances, then that’s good too. The bottom line is that it shouldn’t be about how fast it gets done, it’s about whether or not it gets done right.
The police didn’t read me my rights. Does that mean my charges will get dismissed?
Watching television and movies has made people think that reading your rights is the most significant part of your arrest. In some cases, that can mean the difference between a conviction and dismissal. Yet, in most cases, it is a minor factor in your case. Reading your rights is essential after you’ve been placed under arrest and will affect the admissibility of statements you make at that point, but anything said before will most likely not be affected. It’s best to discuss your case with a seasoned criminal defense attorney to evaluate whether or not it will play a significant role in your defense..