There are few experiences in life that can be more stressful or frightening than being formally charged with a crime. Sadly, there are many people that are unsure of what they should expect from the criminal justice system. To help you be better prepared for the legal aspects of this situation, you might need to have a few questions answered.
What If The Bail Is Set Too High?
In order to allow individuals to help formulate their defense and to minimize disruptions to the lives of defendants, the court system allows individuals to post bail so that they will be able to leave jail until their trial date. Unfortunately, the courts can set bail that is too high for low-income defendants to pay. When this is the case, it is often possible to have your attorney petition to have the bail reduced. For this type of petition to be successful, the attorney will need to show that you are not a flight risk and that it is impossible for you to make the bail payment given your financial circumstances.
When Will You Be Offered A Plea Bargain?
It is common for prosecutors to offer defendants plea bargains as a way to minimize court costs. However, while it is common for these deals to be offered, you should be aware that the prosecutor is under no obligation to offer a plea bargain to every defendant. Rather, the offering of a plea deal will largely depend on the strength of the evidence against the defendant. Additionally, you should never blindly accept a plea bargain without first having it reviewed by an experienced criminal defense attorney. These professionals will be able to ensure that you fully understand the terms of your plea bargain, and they can also let you know whether accepting the bargain would be wise given your particular case.
How Do Criminal Attorneys Charge Clients For Their Services?
When it goes to paying a criminal defense attorney, it is important to understand that attorneys can charge their clients in a couple of different ways. One of the more common is for the defendant to pay an hourly rate for the services of the attorney. On a regular basis, the attorney will provide the defendant with an invoice for their billable hours, and they will cease working on the case until this invoice is paid. For simple cases or clients that may have difficulty paying an hourly rate, there are many attorneys that work on a flat fee basis. By paying their flat fee, you will be able to retain their services through most of your proceedings. These professionals may require an additional fee for appeals due to the additional work that is involved with preparing the appellate briefs for these cases.
For more information, contact a criminal law attorney, like one from Begley Carlin & Mandio LLP.
Share19 July 2016
Although I am far from perfect, I have focused on abiding by the local laws for the vast majority of my life. Unfortunately, about five years ago, I realized that I was being accused of a crime that I didn't commit. I thought about letting the trial run its course, but then I realized that fighting would be important to ensure my future. I teamed up with a great lawyer, and things became much easier overnight. My legal counsel told me what to do and what to avoid, and he was able to prove the facts in a court of law. This blog is all about choosing to fight charges.