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Facing criminal charges can be daunting, especially for someone never charged with a crime before.

Being arrested or summoned to court merely starts the judicial process; it doesn’t mean you are guilty or a bad person.

However, you must act quickly to secure representation to reduce the impact these charges may have on your life.

You must take every criminal charge seriously.

Otherwise, you could make a massive mistake that has permanent repercussions.

Talking with an experienced criminal defense lawyer about your criminal charges is the only way to protect your future. 

You Need a Criminal Lawyer to Defend Your Rights

Individuals have the right to represent themselves.

Many people choose that route for a variety of reasons. While “going proper” might be your choice, you should think about whether it is the best thing for you.

To mount a successful defense, you must have extensive knowledge of criminal law.

Just like a mechanic knows how to repair a car, a criminal lawyer knows your rights and how to protect them. 

Representing a person facing criminal charges is more than cross-examining a person at trial.

A skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer will analyze your case to minimize your exposure to criminal penalties. 

A lawyer who solely practices criminal defense will develop a defense for your case based on the facts and the relevant law.

The analysis might lead to plea bargaining the case to reduced charges and facing a reduced penalty. However, the best defense in other cases may be to dig in and fight. 

Fighting a case aggressively often involves filing motions to dismiss charges or suppress evidence.

Successfully arguing these motions might lead to reduced charges or weaken the State’s case against you.

Trustworthy Legal Advice

People often think they know the law. Perhaps they understand the difference between murder and theft.

But would someone who is not a criminal defense lawyer know whether the deal the prosecution offers you is worth taking?

A guilty plea’s ramifications are extensive and go well beyond criminal penalties handed down by a judge.

You need to understand all your options and the risks associated with them. 

For instance, a guilty plea to a reduced charge with no jail time might sound appealing to you.

However, if you run the risk of facing deportation, the best choice might be to go to trial with the hope that the jury finds you not guilty.

Only an experienced criminal defense attorney can properly advise you in that situation. 

The choice is ultimately yours.

However, you need to know what punishment the judge could give you and the other possible consequences of your options. 

Having an honest and in-depth discussion with your criminal defense lawyer will help you understand the benefits and risks associated with each choice you have to make.

Also, they could also help you understand what to expect. 

Preparation Is the Key to Success

If you are wondering, “Do I need a criminal lawyer?” you should consider what it takes to defend a case successfully. Even relatively minor cases require preparation.

Criminal defense lawyers with decades of experience know how to prepare a case, locate witnesses, find and preserve evidence, and attack the prosecution’s witnesses.

Preparation is the key ingredient in defending a criminal case successfully.

A Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me

In San Diego County and throughout California, the Law Offices of Kerry L. Armstrong, APLC, represent individuals from all walks of life who face a wide variety of criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. They all have one thing in common: the law presumes them innocent, just like you.

Contact our office today at 619-900-6902, and find out how we can serve and support you during this difficult time.

Author Photo

Kerry L. Armstrong

 

Attorney Kerry Armstrong opened up his law firm in June 2007. Mr. Armstrong attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, California, and received his B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University. Kerry L. Armstrong became certified by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization for criminal law in August 2020, making him one of the few criminal defense attorneys with a criminal law legal specialization certificate in San Diego County.  Between 2014 – 2019, Mr. Armstrong was selected for inclusion in the California Super Lawyers list, an honor only awarded to 5% of the nation’s attorneys.

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