San Bernardino Criminal Defense Attorney

Hiring a Criminal Attorney

Deciding whether and when to hire a criminal attorney is one of the most important issues to consider in the face of a police investigation, allegations of a criminal offense, arrest or criminal charges. You may wonder whether to accept a plea bargain offered to you by the prosecuting attorney. You may wonder if you even need legal counsel because formal charges have not been filed against you. The most important advice we can give on this topic is: when in doubt, contact an attorney.

By at least discussing the matter with an experienced legal professional, you have the opportunity to find out what you are actually up against. You can determine whether you need legal counsel in the first place and can get the information that will help you make an educated choice about hiring a San Bernardino criminal attorney. At the very least, you will leave your consultation with a more thorough understanding of your case and what can be done about it.

From the onset of any criminal investigation or even accusations of an alleged crime, there is much that an attorney can do to help you. This applies even when you are not in police custody. An attorney can work to protect your Constitutional rights at every stage of your case and in some cases can help prevent formal charges from being filed against you in the first place. Without legal counsel, you are at an increased risk of being taken advantage of by overzealous prosecutors and law enforcement officers who want to put you behind bars. You may try to cooperate, only to have this turn against you. During questioning, the police are allowed to lie to you. They may try to tell you anything to get information or a confession. An attorney, however, can represent you during questioning to protect you from self-incrimination. An attorney can also help you avoid a rights violation such as an illegal search and seizure.

Find out more about how we can help. Contact a San Bernardino Criminal Attorney today.