Anyone can be charged with a crime. Misdemeanors and felonies all carry fines and a permanent criminal record. Felony drug charges can result in years of prison time, and a DUI can mean a driver loses their freedom without their license. If someone finds themselves on the wrong side of the law, the first call should be to a criminal defense attorney. They should be contacted almost immediately after an arrest because the individual will be arraigned on the formal charges and a bond hearing will be held.
The bond hearing is one of the most important times during the process. The attorney will try to negotiate the lowest bond possible and discuss the evidence with the prosecuting attorney. This is a great time for the attorney to discuss the entire case to see if they should attempt to a plea deal or go to court. The attorney will find out how strong the case is against their client and cast the individual in the best light possible to the judge. Once someone is arrested, they should not discuss the case on the telephone with friends or family. They shouldn’t discuss their case with others they’re in jail with. All telephone calls are recorded and there’s plenty of jailhouse snitches looking to cut a better deal for themselves.
Federal charges that require the help of a criminal defense attorney can include:
- Drug cultivation
- Drug distribution
- Drug sale
- Drug possession
- Drug trafficking
- Use of a weapon in a crime
- Interstate weapons transportation
- Illegal weapons sales
- Illegal possession of firearms or ammunition
Federal charges require experience in that area. The rules in court can be much different than a county or state. A criminal attorney offers a free telephone consultation and can explain an individual’s options for the best possible outcome. When someone’s been arrested, they should always be honest with their attorney in private and follow their instructions if they want a favorable outcome. The law offices of Melissa R. Montgomery has the criminal experience someone needs when they have found themselves in jail or a defendant in a criminal indictment. It is never recommended to attempt the court proceedings without the assistance of an experienced criminal attorney.
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