Why Would You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Columbus, GA?
Do you need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Columbus, GA? Contact the Office of ALJ, PC for information and advice when planning your strategy. Call us today!
Criminal Defense Attorneys in Columbus: Why Hire One?
Even though you are presumed innocent until proven guilty, facing criminal charges can be scary. Criminal convictions can have serious repercussions, including fines, lengthy prison sentences, probation, suspension of your license, and loss of employment.
Criminal charges are always serious, whether they are misdemeanors or felonies in Georgia. Anyone facing such a charge should not take it lightly. It is challenging to manage the criminal justice system alone. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the entire legal process, guiding you to make wise decisions and avoid mistakes.
What Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Do?
A criminal defense lawyer guides you through the criminal justice system and helps you get a good outcome for your case. If law enforcement conducts an investigation or makes an arrest, a seasoned defense attorney will protect your legal rights and work to minimize or avoid penalties.
In addition, a good criminal defense attorney can assist in a number of procedural matters, including:
- Advocating for a lower bond
- Investigate your case and examine your version of events
- Investigating whether any of your constitutional rights have been violated
- Ensuring that none of the statements you made to the police were coerced
- Addressing any inquiries you may have regarding the charges against you
- Negotiating a plea agreement or reduced charges with the prosecutor
- Arguing in court in your defense
What Are the Most Common Fields of Criminal Defense?
Here are the most common criminal law violations that require an attorney if you face criminal charges.
Sex Crimes
These cases cover the complete spectrum, ranging from rape to sexual harassment. Standard charges that people have to defend themselves against include prostitution, statutory rape, spousal rape, child abuse, and indecent exposure.
The very nature of such accusations frequently casts a negative light on the accused from the onset. Aside from criminal charges, sex offenses can also result in civil claims for personal injury.
Therefore, anyone charged with these crimes must mount a vigorous defense with the assistance of a sexual assault lawyer against the criminal charges.
Weapons Charges
Weapons offenses cover possession of illegal firearms and crimes committed with weapons. Even though possessing an illicit weapon is a serious offense, other charges often accompany it. Therefore, if a defendant is found guilty of weapons offenses as well as the accompanying charges, harsher punishments will be imposed.
Weapons convictions can have an adverse effect on future career prospects, so it is critical to mount a strong defense.
Charges of Theft and Robbery
The severity of a theft case is based on the value of the items taken and whether weapons were used when committing the crime. Criminal defense lawyers can defend any theft charge, whether it is a lesser charge like shoplifting or a more serious charge like burglary, auto theft, fraud, or grand larceny. You may jeopardize your future if you go it alone.
Domestic Violence
Conflicts can occur between anyone in a close relationship, including spouses, parents, children, dating and cohabiting couples, and anyone in a household. Abuse on a physical and emotional level, stalking, kidnapping, and even rape can result in aggravated assault charges.
Having an experienced defense attorney when facing such allegations is crucial, as a conviction may negatively impact your ability to get a job, see your children, and exercise your parental rights.
Battery and Assault
Charges for these offenses can range from misdemeanors to felony charges, and the sentence imposed is frequently based on the harm caused to the victim. No matter how much damage was done to the victim, if a weapon were used in the offense, a felony charge would be preferred.
Drug Charges
Some of the most frequent and severe crimes that criminal defense lawyers deal with are drug offenses. From simple possession to trafficking in prohibited narcotics, these charges can be challenging.
Whether a charge is an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony depends on several factors, including the quantity, the kind of drug, and whether the defendant made, sold, transported, or trafficked the illegal substance. The harshness of jail time will probably be worse if accusations of possessing unlawful firearms or violence are added to the mix. You need a drug defense lawyer to help you find your way out.
Murder
Murder and murder in the second degree are both felonies carrying heavy penalties ranging from 10 years to life in prison. Hence, it is vital to vigorously fight any murder charges brought against you with the help of a Georgia criminal defense attorney.
DUI and Traffic Offenses
Other crimes requiring attorneys are traffic offenses such as reckless driving and DUI. DUI charges can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony and cannot be expunged from your record. However, you can develop a successful DUI defense with the help of a DUI lawyer to avoid losing your driving license.
What Are the Steps in a Criminal Case?
You have the right to hire a criminal defense attorney at any stage if you are detained for any offense. Until you have obtained legal representation, you are not required to respond to any questions from the police or investigators. The following are three basic steps in criminal prosecution.
Arrest
After you’re arrested, speak to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Attorneys can begin building a defense for clients as soon as they ask for legal protection. If the prosecution does not drop the charges, attorneys will study the case and develop a strong strategy. A defense attorney might also begin your defense by speaking with the prosecutor and pleading with them not to bring charges against the defendant.
Arraignment
At an arraignment, the court informs the defendant of the offense and the charges against them. A defendant may plead guilty or not guilty after being arraigned.
A plea deal can be negotiated between the defense attorney and the prosecutor after a plea is entered. The judge can still dismiss the case at this stage. However, if a trial is scheduled, the judge will decide whether the defendant should be allowed to leave custody while awaiting their court date or be released on bail.
Adjudication
The defense counsel may represent the accused at a preliminary hearing, where they make their case to the judge if the person charged enters a plea of “not guilty.” The judge will determine whether the matter will go to trial after hearing the defense. During a trial, the defense attorney may represent the defendant until a verdict is rendered.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Columbus, Georgia
Find criminal defense lawyers in Columbus to collaborate with the prosecutor to decide on a favorable resolution for your criminal case. You might not want to handle the criminal court system by yourself.
You can rely on an excellent criminal defense lawyer to use all of their resources and connections with prosecutors to negotiate good results for your criminal defense case, whether you want a plea bargain, reduced bail, or a lower sentence after a criminal conviction.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Georgia, contact our law firm to speak with Columbus, GA, criminal defense lawyers. With our extensive experience in criminal defense, we ensure that our clients receive the most favorable outcome possible.
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