If you are charged with a crime, you will require the services of a criminal defense attorney. Criminal defense attorneys are attorneys who specialize in defending persons charged with a crime.
Criminal Defense Attorney
Like any other attorney, a criminal defense attorney must have a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and must pass the state bar examination. Most criminal defense attorneys are solo practitioner. However some work in law firms as partners or associates.
Disclosure
If you talk to the police or answer any of their questions, it can be used against you. So you should not disclose anything to the police. However when it comes to criminal attorneys you should disclose everything. If you have indeed committed the crime, you should disclose it to the attorney. Anything that you say to the attorney is protected by attorney client privilege. The criminal attorney’s job is to defend person’s charged with criminal offenses. He or she will not use the information you provide to incriminate you. So be honest and disclose all you know. If you disclose to the criminal attorney that you are guilty of the crime, the attorney can study the evidence against you and if he or she feels that there is no way the charge against you will be dropped, he or she can negotiate a plea bargain or get you lighter sentence. If there are any mitigating circumstances that resulted in you committing the crime, you should inform your criminal defense attorney. The criminal defense attorney can inform the court of the presence of the mitigating circumstances which can result in a lower sentence. Therefore it is important that you tell your criminal defense attorney everything.
Personal Details
You should provide your criminal defense attorney with your personal information such as your address, telephone number, where and how you can be contacted, etc. You should provide all possible evidence to your criminal defense attorney. Provide the attorney with a list of people who you feel can testify for you. Besides disclosing everything about the charge, you must also ask the criminal defense attorney about his or her fees. Most criminal defense attorneys charge by the hour but some charge a fixed fee. Rules of practice prohibit criminal defense attorneys from charging fees on contingency basis. Generally you will have to pay the fees upfront.
Getting Legal Help
If you are charged with a criminal offense, the services of a criminal defense attorney will be invaluable. To enable the criminal defense attorney to defend you, you must disclose everything to the attorney.
