If you face criminal charges in Sacramento, CA, you must understand your rights and legal options. You can then explore these options and make decisions that best safeguard your interests. A Sacramento criminal defense lawyer can help you prepare a robust defense against the charges.
What Happens After You Are Charged?
In any criminal offense, your first interaction is with law enforcement. A police officer may or may not arrest you for a crime, depending on the nature of the offense. The officers will take you to the local jail if you get arrested. An arrest report is created, which is then sent to the prosecutor.
The prosecutor decides whether to charge you with a crime. The prosecutor can also reduce or enhance the charges brought against you.
If you have been arrested and jailed, you likely face serious charges with major penalties. Here are some options you must consider right away.
Bail
Your first concern should be to get out of jail. You can do this on your own recognizance or by posting bail. The court sets the amount of the bail. You must pay only 10% of the bail amount to be released.
Even when you are out on bail, you are legally required to put in for your court trial. The charges against you can be enhanced if you fail to do so.
Legal Representation and Defense
Whether you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, you must get legal help at the earliest. You are legally innocent until you get a formal conviction. A lawyer can help you explore all your legal options and defend against the charges you face.
There are many ways to defend against a criminal charge, depending on the nature of the offense. In some cases, your lawyer can invoke the Statute of Limitations to have a criminal charge dismissed. The manner and method of the arrest, the nature of the evidence, and the veracity of the witnesses can also be questioned.
Community Service
Even if a criminal charge against you is proven, your lawyer can help you plead for reduced penalties. You can also do a plea bargain in which you plead guilty for a speedy conclusion to the trial. In return, the prosecution can offer you lighter punishments.
One such punishment is community service. For less serious offenses, a judge can sentence you to community service instead of a few days in jail or reduce your prison sentence for such service.
Hire a Sacramento Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Sacramento, CA, we can help you. Here at the Crowell Law Offices, our lawyers help you know your options and rights after being charged. We also work with you to have your charges dismissed or reduced.
Call us now at 916-303-2800 to discuss your case with our lawyers or fill out the contact form below to have someone contact you about your case.
