Facing criminal charges may be one of the most upsetting situations you ever deal with. The last thing you should do is face them alone or without a plan. Depending on the charges you’re facing, you could be looking at severe, life-changing penalties you may not be fully prepared to deal with. A criminal record could disrupt your entire life. You should consider reaching out to an Artesia criminal defense lawyer for help.
When dealing with the fallout of criminal charges, you’ll want a strong defense strategy. The legal team at Gibbons & Gibbons can help you determine a path forward and develop a defense to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome. If you lose your case, you’ll end up with a criminal record, which can hurt your job opportunities, personal relationships, and even your housing options. A good lawyer can help prevent that from happening.
Getting arrested can be terrifying, but it’s important to remember that an arrest doesn’t equal a conviction. You should always keep in mind that you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. You are afforded certain constitutional rights that give you the chance to fight for yourself when charged with a crime. These rights include your right to legal counsel and your right to remain silent.
It is vital to your case that you exercise these rights at this time. Otherwise, you could end up with no legal representation. Regardless of the charges against you, you should always fight for your innocence and hire a lawyer who can advocate for you at all times. When you are arrested, you don’t have to say anything to the police. Simply request your lawyer. Once they arrive, let them do the talking for you.
If you are in need of a criminal defense lawyer in Artesia, you’ll need to be prepared for a complicated, unpredictable legal process. If you don’t connect with an attorney quickly, you could end up facing severe legal penalties such as prison time, community service, probation, and/or hefty fines. You don’t want to be caught unprepared without experienced legal representation.
You could choose to represent yourself, but it’s not recommended. It’s unlikely that you have the formal education and knowledge necessary to defend yourself against criminal charges, especially when going up against a seasoned prosecutor. You need someone on your side who understands the stakes and can provide you with everything you need to mount a strong defense. Here are some additional ways that a lawyer can help you:
In California, a “mistake of fact” defense argues that the defendant’s actions were committed solely based on their mistaken belief. More so, if that fact had been true, their actions would not have been criminal in the slightest. In order for this to work as a valid defense, the mistake must be an honest one that negates intent.
The most effective way to beat a criminal charge in California is to build a strong defense based on evidence that supports your claim. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer can help you put together an effective case that challenges the prosecution’s claims. They can use hard evidence, witness statements, and solid arguments to defend your position and disprove the charges made against you.
Generally, the most common argument of a defense attorney is that the prosecution has failed to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Essentially, your lawyer does not need to prove your innocence to win your case. They only have to introduce the possibility of reasonable doubt, which can be done by arguing against the strength of the prosecution’s case and the validity of the evidence they have presented.
In California, the amount of time for which a criminal case can stay open depends entirely on the details of the case and whether the criminal charge is a misdemeanor or felony. Felony cases may stay open for much longer than misdemeanor cases. The exception is for serious offenses. Certain crimes, like murder and felony rape, do not have a statute of limitations and will stay open as long as it takes to arrest the offender.
The difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is that a felony is more severe. Felony charges often result from violent or large-scale crimes, such as drug trafficking, rape, or murder. However, some crimes typically charged as misdemeanors, like DUIs, can become felonies if they involve certain aggravating factors. In addition, a felony conviction results in more severe penalties, from prison time to large fines.
The legal team at Gibbons & Gibbons can help you secure a strong defense. With many years of experience, we know how to undermine the prosecution’s tactics and secure a positive outcome. We work tirelessly to prove your innocence and avoid a conviction. Contact us to speak to our team about the many ways we can help with your case.