Why was I charged with a crime?

Generally, an individual is charged with a crime after someone makes a complaint or a police officer makes an observation which is then investigated by the police, if warranted. If the prosecutor, who represents the interest of the state, determines that there is enough evidence to charge the individual with a crime, he will file a document called a complaint with the court in the jurisdiction where the alleged crime took place. The individual is then charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony.

What is a misdemeanor?

Generally, a misdemeanor is defined as a crime with a maximum punishment of 12 months of incarceration. Misdemeanors may also be punished with a monetary fine, probation, and community service. While a misdemeanor is considered to be a less serious crime, the consequences can range from minimal to disastrous, depending on the crime, punishment, one's occupation and other factors.

What is a felony?

A felony is defined as a crime punishable by at least 1 year of imprisonment as opposed to a misdemeanor, which is a crime punishable by less than 1 year of imprisonment. Examples of felonies include murder, arson, burglary, rape, drug possession with intent to sell, embezzlement, and racketeering. A felony is a very serious crime, and usually involves formal probation, or parole after a term in state prison, as well as the loss of  certain rights and an impact on one's future that cannot be overestimated.

Should I hire a Criminal defense attorney?

Yes! The Criminal law system is very procedural and time sensitive. You must have a Criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and preserve your defenses. Further, a Criminal defense attorney will be able to point out procedural and investigative errors by the police that may be used effectively in your defense. Further, a criminal defense attorney who understands the law and the jurisdiction, can protect your constitutional, procedural and jurisdictional rights, while negotiating a result that is as fair as possible....or positioning the case for trial if necessary.

In many cases, the state may appoint a public defender to represent you. However, public defenders have high case loads and may not have adequate time to dedicate to your case.

How should I choose the right Criminal defense attorney?

We think that in evaluating a defense attorney, the most important factors to consider are experience, knowledge, and the willingness to work hard for and communicate with a client.  Those are our strengths.