You may ask yourself, “Do I need a criminal defense lawyer?” You may need to hire a criminal defense lawyer even if you have not been charged. A criminal defense lawyer protects your rights when law enforcement officers are investigating you for a crime. Without a lawyer, you might say something that could be incriminating or misconstrued. Your lawyer can engage with the police or the prosecutors and provide evidence that prevents them from filing formal charges. Your lawyer can also go through your case and prepare a defense strategy if there is a possibility of you getting charged.
Hiring a criminal lawyer in Minnesota will give you peace of mind as you know there’s a professional protecting your interests. Lawyers at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys can advocate for your rights and interests, even before the police file formal charges. Call us at (952) 913-1421 for a free consultation.
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Reasons to Hire a Criminal Lawyer
Have the police questioned you, but not charged you yet? It’s normal for the police to question people of interest while investigating a case. So, if you have been asked to report to a local police station for questioning, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Some reasons for hiring a criminal lawyer include:
Lawyers Know the Legal Process
Hiring someone who understands the law and the legal process is crucial when charged or facing a criminal investigation. This is because your lawyer will know the steps to take to obtain a favorable outcome. The lawyer will help you prepare court documents, comply with legal procedures, and meet deadlines.
Provide Confidential Consultation
Most criminal lawyers understand the need to handle information their clients share using the attorney-client privilege principle. So, how does attorney-client privilege work in criminal cases? This privilege protects communications between you and your lawyer from getting disclosed to other parties.
This principle promotes confidentiality by allowing you to conduct confidential meetings, sign non-disclosure agreements, and use secure communication channels. This privilege begins when you contact the lawyer and ends when the case is over or when you change your legal representation.
Provide Pre-Charge Representation
Your lawyer will provide legal assistance before the police or the prosecutor files formal criminal charges. This assistance includes helping you understand your rights, such as remaining silent when questioned without legal representation. Instead of you communicating with the law enforcement officers, your lawyer will do this on your behalf to protect you from providing sensitive information that could be incriminating.
Your lawyer will monitor the ongoing investigations so that he or she can strategize accordingly. Monitoring the investigations helps your lawyer prevent the prosecution team from using evidence obtained through illegal seizures and searches. In some cases, lawyers can negotiate with the prosecutors and convince them not to file charges.
Lawyers Have Valuable Professional Connections
Lawyers know professionals who can use their expertise to support your case. Such professionals include, forensic scientists, private investigators, financial analysts, technology specialists, and medical professionals. They can provide professional opinions to help your lawyer clarify complex issues and build a stronger case.
Help You Understand Consequences
Depending on the crime you’re accused of, your criminal lawyer will help you understand the consequences of the charges you’re facing. These consequences include formal sentencing, inability to possess a firearm, inability to get a place to live or a job, and expungement eligibility. Doing this helps you make an informed decision as your lawyer prepares the strategies he or she will use in your defense.
If you are convicted, your lawyer will suggest ways to manage the hidden costs of a criminal conviction. This can be achieved by pushing for alternative sentencing options, such as the diversionary program. An attorney can also work with the prosecution to push for a decreased charge or a shorter sentence.
Help Save Time and Money in the Long Run
Hiring a criminal lawyer can help you save money by managing indirect costs and reducing time off work. For example, a lawyer will handle all the legal matters on your behalf, so you won’t need to take time off work to handle them yourself.
If you’re facing a case requiring you to pay fines and penalties, your lawyer can negotiate on your behalf. Lawyers are professional negotiators, so you can save a lot even after paying the legal fees.
When Do You Need a Criminal Lawyer?
A criminal lawyer will help you if you’re being investigated, interrogated, or arrested for a crime in Minnesota. The lawyer will guide you through the legal system and protect your rights. You need a lawyer when:
You Have Been Arrested
It’s advisable to call a lawyer immediately after getting arrested. The lawyer will examine the seriousness of your case while guiding you on how to handle the police questioning. The lawyer will also identify penalties you may face and build a defense strategy if the evidence available is incriminating.
You Are Under Investigation
You should get a criminal lawyer involved the moment you learn the police are investigating you. The lawyer will contact the police and prevent them from using evidence obtained illegally. Additionally, your lawyer will present evidence-supported alternative explanations and negotiate with the prosecutors to prevent them from charging you.
You Are Being Questioned or Interrogated
There are cases where police officers call people suspected of committing criminal offenses for interrogation and questioning. If you ever find yourself in such a scenario, call your lawyer immediately, even if you believe you’re innocent. The lawyer will guide you on what to say when recording the statement or answering questions to protect you from unintentionally harming your case.
You Have to Make Court Appearances
If you’ve been charged with a crime, ensure the lawyer is present during your first court appearance. Your lawyer will guide you through the legal charges you’re facing, the penalties associated with the charges, and the best plea to make. After arraignment, he or she can file a motion pleading with the court to dismiss the charges. If you’re represented well during the pre-trial periods, the outcome of your case could be rewarding.
If your case goes to trial, your legal representative will prepare your defense. Ensure you hire a skilled lawyer who has handled such cases before to effectively present evidence, construct a strong defense, and even argue on your behalf.
You Want to Negotiate With Prosecutors
About 95% of all criminal cases in Minnesota resolve through plea deals. The prosecutors do not have your best interest in mind. So, get a lawyer involved if the prosecution team has approached you with a plea deal. Your lawyer will assess the deal to see if it will favor you or if the prosecution needs to make a better offer.
The attorney will also negotiate with the prosecutor to dismiss or reduce the severity of the charges. However, this can only be achieved if the lawyer effectively presents important evidence to weaken the prosecution’s case.
You Want to File an Appeal
If you’ve already been convicted but believe there were legal errors or the trial was unfair, you can hire a lawyer to handle the appeal process. Your lawyer will give specific legal arguments that can increase the chances of your appeal becoming successful. Your lawyer can also request post-conviction relief, such as a request to modify the sentence or petition for pardon.
Tips for Choosing a Criminal Lawyer
People may think they don’t need a lawyer until they face criminal charges. It is wise to hire a lawyer soon after you hear rumors that you are under criminal investigation. Your lawyer will help you know what your rights are when arrested and what you can do to overcome the charges. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a criminal lawyer:
Practice Area or Experience
Start by understanding the criminal charges you are facing. You should then focus on finding a criminal lawyer with specific experience in that field. The lawyer you choose should have experience handling cases similar to yours. Check the lawyer’s website and determine the number of cases identical to yours the lawyer has successfully handled.
Take Advantage of the Initial Consultation
Most lawyers offer low-cost or free consultations where they discuss and review your case. You can use this chance to ask questions and better understand your case. Also, use this opportunity to learn more about their approach and success rate. You can also ask about the challenges you may face in your case. The lawyer should walk you through the steps he or she will take to help you address those challenges.
Verify Licensing and Reviews
Before hiring a lawyer, ensure you do a thorough research on the lawyer’s reputation. Check out reviews, testimonials, and comments left by former clients on the lawyer’s website and social media accounts.
Verify the lawyer’s license by checking if their name is included in the court of admittance list. The list contains important information about the lawyers’ practice, the day they were included, and the date they graduated from law school. You can also know if the lawyer has been disciplined by checking the public disciplinary history.
Your Lawyer’s Transparency and Accessibility
Ensure the lawyer you’re hiring is transparent, accessible, and responsive. Your ideal lawyer should be able to communicate clearly and also respond to your phone calls and emails promptly.
The lawyer should be transparent about your case. He or she should provide a clear strategy and inform you about your case progress. The lawyer should also explain legal procedures and terms in a way you understand.
Legal Fees and Costs
Consider legal fees and costs before making a hiring decision. The lawyer should provide you with his or her fee structure. Find out whether the lawyer charges an hourly rate, a flat fee, or a retainer. Ensure there are no hidden fees in the fee structure. You can do that by signing a detailed written agreement outlining all the costs.
Trial Experience
Be sure to choose a lawyer with courtroom experience. While it’s possible to settle your case with a plea agreement, don’t dismiss the fact that your case can go to trial. Your ideal lawyer should be able to negotiate well and litigate your case at trial successfully. Ask your lawyer how many cases he or she has taken to trial and his or her success rate.
Your Prospective Lawyer’s Professional Demeanor
Your ideal lawyer should be confident and not arrogant. You should hire someone who provides a realistic view of your case and the expected outcomes. You can check their professionalism by observing how they behave during your meetings. Are they organized, punctual, and attentive? How the lawyer behaves in front of you can show you how he or she will handle your case.
The Lawyer’s Local Knowledge
There is a notable difference between how state and federal courts handle cases. Before hiring a lawyer, ensure you know the kind of charges you’re facing. If you’re facing state-level charges, choose a lawyer experienced in handling state criminal cases. Their knowledge of local court procedures can be beneficial when preparing your defense strategy.
Trust Your Gut
A good lawyer should understand your needs, listen to your concerns, and make you feel at ease. Choose a lawyer you feel comfortable with and who you can trust can handle your case well. Your intuitions can also guide you. Consider hiring another lawyer if the lawyer you are vetting does not inspire confidence in you.
Even if you’ve not been charged, hiring a lawyer is crucial. A lawyer provides legal expertise, guidance, and experience that increase your chances of getting a favorable outcome. The lawyer will protect your rights, develop a winning defense strategy, and help you avoid going to jail or paying huge fines.
Are you under criminal investigation in Minnesota? If so, Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys can provide dedicated and aggressive legal representation. Contact us today for a free consultation and criminal case review.
