A criminal conviction can drastically change your life. In addition to the possibility of going to jail, your record will be visible to anyone interested in finding out whether you have ever been in trouble with the law. Potential employers, landlords and spouses may all check your criminal record before they enter into a relationship with you. To avoid the chances of major problems in your life, hire a criminal lawyer in Bel Air.
You cannot be convicted of a criminal offense unless the state is able to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that any reasonable person would believe you are guilty if they were able to hear the evidence the state has against you. Your defense attorney’s role is to shed doubt on that evidence. In most cases, the evidence presented in court is circumstantial. If a defense attorney can show that the evidence doesn’t necessarily prove your guilt, your case may be dismissed or you may be acquitted at trial.
It is important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest. Talking to police officers without an attorney present may compromise your case. The investigators may ask you confusing questions designed to get you to provide information to be used against you. While the police and prosecutor are working hard to find evidence of your guilt, your criminal lawyer in Bel Air will be working just as hard to disprove their case. Your lawyer will have access to all of the state’s evidence and will have time to find other evidence to convince the judge or jury that you should not be found guilty.
Most criminal cases are resolved without a trial. Your lawyer may attempt to negotiate with the prosecutor to have your case dismissed or to reduce the charges so you do not have to face serious consequences. Your lawyer may also file motions to have evidence against you suppressed for various reasons. If the police officers who investigated the alleged crime did not have a warrant or probable cause to enter your residence to search for proof of a crime, that evidence may not be held against you.
