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Criminal Defense Representation
Criminal cases begin in many different ways. You may receive a call from a detective asking you to meet with them. Often, you will be stopped for a traffic violation and that stop will escalate into arrest. Other times, you might get a knock on your door where an officer will be serving a search warrant to enter your home.
Every criminal case is unique. As an attorney, I enter your case at a specific point in time. My goal, from that point is to address the issues present in your case, inform you of the potential outcomes and consequences, and formulate a game plan that represents your ultimate goals in fighting your case.
The following is a brief overview of my goals in addressing different points in the process of representing my clients.
Pre-Arrest Representation
If you call me after receiving a phone call asking you to give a statement regarding a pending criminal investigation, we first reach out to the investigating officer to gain as much information as possible. Then we discuss your knowledge or lack of knowledge regarding the facts and circumstances. Ultimately, we will decide on whether to provide a statement to law enforcement.
Arrest and Bond Representation
After arrest, the goal is to get a bond set as quickly as possible. Depending on the nature of the charge, bond may be set by a magistrate judge prior to or at first appearance. More serious charges may benefit from an attorney present at first appearance to protect your freedom. The most serious charges require a lawyer to make a motion for bond and prepare the case for bond and probable cause hearings. My goal is to evaluate all options and employ a strategy to help you or your loved one get home and back to their life as quickly as possible.
The Criminal Case
The next step in the criminal process begins with an accusation or indictment. An accusation can be as simple as a traffic citation or a drafted document listing out the specific charges you are facing. More serious felony charges require an indictment involving a grand jury hearing evidence and voting whether to move forward with formal charges. After accusation or indictment comes arraignment, the first court date after formal charges have been filed. At that court date we will enter a preliminary not guilty plea, and be entitled to the evidence the prosecutor intends to use to prove the charges against you.
It’s Your Decision
Once we receive the evidence in your case, we will go over their evidence along with all the evidence you and other witnesses provide to create our defenses and strategy to fight your case. This process may involve evidentiary motions and other filings necessary to best represent you. After we have addressed all options to try and get your case dismissed, reduced, or properly addressed we will discuss our best possible outcome prior to taking the case to trial, and then you will decide how you want to proceed with your case. The decision to take a case to trial is yours, and yours alone.