Being charged with a crime is scary. You may experience feelings of uncertainty, frustration, and anger. You probably also have questions and may not know where to turn. Criminal defense attorneys can help by offering advice, explaining the law that applies to your case, and fighting for your rights in court. Working with an attorney also provides psychological support, cost savings, and professional negotiation skills.
A criminal conviction carries serious consequences that can last a lifetime. You could go to jail, lose your job, or be barred from pursuing certain career paths. You might lose your driver’s license, jeopardize your eligibility for student financial aid options, and put housing options for you and your family at risk.
Even if the situation may not seem serious now, you don’t want to look back on your case years from now and wish you had done something differently. Give yourself the best chance of beating the charge by hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
A criminal defense attorney will help you understand how a conviction could impact you, and help you take steps to avoid conviction or minimize the impact a criminal conviction will have on your future.
Criminal defense attorneys have spent years studying the law. After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, we spend every day working in the criminal justice system. We know how to research the law that applies to your case, and will investigate the charges against you to uncover evidence that might be used to negotiate a favorable plea bargain or have your case dismissed.
The criminal justice system is complex and confusing—especially for people who do not have a complete understanding of the nature of the charges they are facing and the consequences of a conviction.
At your first appearance in court, the prosecutor might try to offer you a deal if you plead guilty. Taking the plea bargain might seem like a good decision at the time. But there may be consequences you cannot foresee without the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Many people go to court willing to accept the prosecutor’s offer just so they can put the criminal charge behind them. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the best strategy. By pleading guilty you risk exposing yourself to collateral consequences of a conviction, which can include suspension of your driver’s license, losing out on certain career options, jeopardizing housing options for you and your family, losing the opportunity to pursue financial aid options at school, and the loss of firearm rights, to name just a few. Of course, you also face the possibility of substantial fines and jail time.
An experienced criminal defense attorney knows the law and how the court system works. He will draw on years on experience to offer you advice to help you make the right decision.
Attorneys are trained to analyze the unique circumstances of your case and the law that applies. We conduct an independent investigation of the charges against you, pick apart the facts and the law to show why your case is unique, and design a strategy to defend you against the charges you are facing. In many cases, we use this information to negotiate a favorable plea deal. This may be a significant reduction of the charges against you, or outright dismissal of the case. If trial is inevitable, we point out inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case and show why you should be found Not Guilty.
In many cases, your attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor for a plea bargain. A negotiated plea is often is better than the prosecutor’s first offer. An experienced criminal defense lawyer has years of negotiation experience and can develop creative strategies that a non-lawyer wouldn’t think of.
Being charged with a crime is scary. You face uncertainty about your future and have lost some control over the outcome of your case. People who have been charged with a crime may experience depression, anxiety, and shame. Your criminal defense attorney will help you deal with these emotions and set them aside when it’s time to make a decision about how to move forward with your case.
In addition to an in-depth knowledge of the law and seasoned negotiation skills, a criminal defense lawyer is trained to provide an unbiased and emotionally detached evaluation of your case. An attorney will help you make a calm, informed, and rational decision, free from the influence of your emotions.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but working with an attorney can actually save you money. Sure, there’s an up-front cost to hiring an attorney, but you’ll make some of that money back by paying less in fines and court costs, and by avoiding expenses associated with jail time, bail, and other fees. Your attorney can also work to minimize the number of days you miss from work and will save you time by anticipating problems before they arise.
If your case goes to trial, your criminal defense attorney can call and question witnesses in support of your defense, and cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses. Complex rules of evidence apply, and questioning a witness is more difficult than it looks on TV. An effective criminal defense lawyer is dynamic, establishes trust with the judge and jury, and will be prepared for an in-depth discussion of any aspect of your case.
If you are facing criminal charges in Michigan, Elmen Legal is here to help. Learn more about attorney Robert Elmen, read reviews from former clients, and get answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Then contact Elmen Legal today to schedule an appointment to begin preparing your defense.
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