What Everyone Should Know About Criminal Lawyers

If you have been charged with a crime, the attorney you choose can greatly affect the outcome of your case. The defense used, in addition to the overall strength of your case, must be crafted by an experienced criminal attorney. It is important to find an attorney who understands the details of his particular situation.

Criminal attorneys will represent clients of all kinds who are being charged with a crime. This is quite different than civil attorneys, who deal with divorces, property disputes, and other transactions. As the title suggests, criminal defense attorneys defend people accused of crimes.

Crimes are generally grouped into the category of “misdemeanor” or “felony.” Misdemeanors are considered less serious in nature, including traffic violations and petty theft, such as shoplifting. Felonies, on the other hand, are considered considerably more serious. The felony charges included serious accusations such as rape, sexual assault and murder.

DUI charges and sex crime allegations are two possible charges that typically involve a criminal defense attorney:

DUI charges

DUI laws are getting stricter, and the laws throughout the county are getting even stricter. Most people have no real understanding of how serious the consequences of a DUI can be, unless they actually know someone who has been convicted. In many cases, a first DUI can include mandatory jail time. This is an obvious incentive to become more self-aware, and a reason to hire the best criminal defense attorney you can find if you are charged.

Simply put, a DUI or DWI is a charge of intoxication leading to a disability while operating a motor vehicle. This is not limited to alcohol, but includes other substances. DUI is a common charge throughout the country. It is estimated that more than 1 million people will be charged with drunk driving each year.

sexual offenses

Criminal attorneys can defend those accused of crimes such as prostitution, sexual abuse, and rape. Since these charges carry serious consequences, including jail time, most people will want to find the best criminal attorney to represent them. Since there is a stigma attached to charges such as rape and other sexual crimes, many will want their names cleared. This is yet another reason to enlist the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Of course, drunk driving and sexual offense charges are not the only cases that criminal law firms handle. Other defense law topics include family violence, white collar crimes, property crimes, and probation violations.