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What To Do If You’re Arrested

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What To Do If You’re Arrested

Criminal Defense Lawyer Jefferson City

Being arrested or charged with a crime can be overwhelming and cause a great deal of stress if you are unsure of the proper steps to take. Following an arrest, there are a few key things to remember. First, if you have been arrested, it is essential to hire a criminal defense lawyer to fight for your best interest. While the officials involved in your arrest may give you information or instructions, it is important to remember that a prosecutor’s job is not to provide advice to a person arrested or charged with a crime. Generally, prosecutors work closely with law enforcement officers because they have similar interests. The job of the prosecutor is to file charges against individuals who have committed a criminal offense, they are not defense attorneys. It is not common for prosecutors to speak with people who have been arrested or charged with a crime, however if they do, anything said to a prosecutor by a person who has been arrested for a criminal offense or has a criminal case pending, can be used against them in court. Similarly, a judge is prohibited from providing a person with legal advice. As you can see, the legal process is complex and there are many factors at play. So, where do you start?

Do I Need to Post a Bond?

If you have been arrested,  you may be required to post a bond in order to be released from jail. This bond can be posted by paying cash or by hiring a bail bondsman. A person can pay a bail bondsman a percentage of the total amount of the bond. For example, if the bond amount is $5,000.00, a person may be able to pay the bail bondsman $500.00 instead of $5,000.00 to be released from jail. If you use a bail bondsman to post bail, you will not receive your money back.

It is possible that you may be released from jail without having to post a bond. This may occur if you were arrested, but no criminal charges were filed within the first twenty-four hours. Or you may be able to obtain a release from jail through a recognizance bond. Generally, you will need a lawyer to assist you with obtaining a recognizance bond.

How Do You Choose the Right Criminal Lawyer?

It is very important to hire a criminal lawyer who has experience handling the type of case for which you have been arrested or criminally charged. Not all criminal lawyers have the same experience. For example, handling a driving while intoxicated case in state court is different than handling a felon in possession of a firearm offense in federal court. The internet is a useful tool when conducting your lawyer search. It can also be beneficial to reach out to family and friends for a referral. It is crucial to speak to any lawyer that you are considering in order to make sure you are comfortable moving forward and having that lawyer represent you.

Choosing the right lawyer may also depend on your desired case resolution. Some criminal lawyers have substantially more trial experience than other lawyers. Some criminal lawyers may negotiate or attempt to plea bargain all of their cases. If you are not guilty of the offense, you may want to proceed with a trial, in which case, you should hire a lawyer who has trial experience.

How Much Will a Criminal Lawyer Cost?

The cost or expense of a lawyer varies depending on a number of different factors. One factor that affects the expense of the case is the type. Is the case a misdemeanor or a felony? Felony cases involve a greater degree of risk to the client because felony cases have more severe consequences, including prison time. Generally, federal cases are also more complex. It is common for a criminal lawyer to charge more money if the case is more complicated.

The location of the case can also affect the amount a lawyer may charge for representation. Some lawyers will charge more money if they have to travel for court. The farther a lawyer has to travel for court, the more money they may charge. For example, you might save yourself money hiring a lawyer that is closer to the location of your case instead of several hours away. However, sometimes, a person can benefit from hiring a lawyer with more experience handling their case type, even if the cost of travel is greater.

Another significant factor that affects the expense of the case is whether the case will proceed to trial. Trials involve a great amount of work, so criminal lawyers generally charge more money if the case proceeds to trial. You may not know whether your case is proceeding to trial at the time of your arrest. During the course of your representation, your lawyer may learn additional information regarding the possibility of a trial and share that with you. It is important to discuss the potential expense of a trial before you hire a lawyer.

What Can You Do to Assist Your Criminal Lawyer?

You must inform your criminal lawyer of everything you know about your arrest and the circumstances surrounding it. The job of your lawyer is to help you. Lying to your lawyer or providing misleading information only makes their job more difficult and could potentially make your case more expensive due to additional investigating of the statements you provided. The information you provide to your attorney is protected by attorney-client privilege. Your lawyer will not be sharing the information you provide with other people. The attorney-client privilege exists so that you can share information with your lawyer knowing that your lawyer cannot be compelled to share the information you provide to anyone else.

It is also important to avoid additional legal trouble after you have hired a lawyer. Being charged with another criminal offense while your lawyer is working on your current case only makes the attorney’s job more difficult. Your lawyer may also ask for your assistance in obtaining certain documents. Anything you can do to assist your lawyer is to your benefit.

Why Should I Hire Scott Hamblin?

Jefferson City criminal defense attorney Scott Hamblin has practiced criminal law for more than twenty years. He is a former prosecuting attorney and now uses that knowledge to zealously represent his clientele. Scott regularly represents individuals charged in both state and federal court and has tried numerous cases. Scott is the author of the Missouri DWI Law and Practice Deskbook, Second Edition, Chapter 1 – Chemical Test Refusal Cases. He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The National Association of Trial Attorneys Top One Hundred Trial Lawyers, and America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers. Scott also serves as a CJA Panel Attorney for the United States District Court, Western District of Missouri. Hiring an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney can make a world of difference when it comes to protecting your rights. Get in touch with Scott A. Hamblin today to discuss the details of your case.

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Scott will keep you up to date on all important developments in your case. When you need to get in touch with him, he will be there to answer your call or return it promptly.

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