Any time you face charges for a crime, it’s important that you talk to your attorney about the options open to you. Every criminal charge has potential defenses. The defenses that work for you may differ from those used for others, since each case is different.
Whether the crime is a misdemeanor or felony, it’s still very important to defend yourself. Even a minor crime can leave a lasting impression on those around you as well as your criminal record, so it’s vital that you prove your innocence or get the charges dropped completely.
Your criminal defense attorney will focus on the nature of the charges filed against you and inform you of your rights and what you’re up against. If there are defenses that are obvious for your case, he or she will sit down with you and talk about them. Your attorney has experience in the field and knows what may or may not work, so it’s a good idea to listen to all the options and why he or she is suggesting them.
If your attorney believes that there will be a plea bargain, he or she will talk to you about what to expect. Typically, these plea bargains are used to gain more information about another crime or to quickly move you through the system and save the courts money, but you don’t have to take one if it means giving up your rights or pleading guilty to a crime you didn’t commit. Your attorney will talk to you about the best strategy for your particular case and whether or not the plea bargain is a good option for you.
Source: FindLaw, “Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer,” accessed Sep. 14, 2017