If you have come this far, I imagine that you will know the work of criminal lawyers. However, if you are still not clear, these types of lawyers are responsible for the defense of both people and organizations that have been charged with a criminal offense.
The number of crimes that criminal defense attorneys handle is quite vast. These include crimes against property (theft, fraud, embezzlement, fraudulent administration crime…) to domestic violence crimes, sexual crimes, driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or drug trafficking crimes, among others.
Difference between criminal lawyers and civil lawyers.
Although many people uninitiated in the legal field do not know how to distinguish the work of criminal lawyers and civil lawyers, the legal system of the United States makes a clear differentiation between the two.
You have to be clear that in this country and in the vast majority of countries, including Latin American countries, the legal system is divided into the civil branch and the criminal branch . Broadly speaking, the differences between both systems would be the following.
- Civil laws would take care of duties and obligations.
- In the case of penal or criminal law, the courts are charged with prosecuting violations of criminal law.
- The complaint in a civil case is called a lawsuit.
- In a criminal case, the individual who has committed the crime is called the defendant.
- In a civil case, the plaintiff seeks to recover the damages received through financial compensation (this is not always the case).
- The defendant in a criminal case may face jail time.
Criminal lawyers defend their clients who have been accused of violating any article of the state or federal penal code.
Why hire a criminal lawyer?
A criminal lawyer will be in charge of the legal representation of a client who has been accused by the legal representatives of the federal or state government of having committed a crime.
In criminal cases, defendants are guaranteed the assistance of a defense attorney under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution .
Criminal defense attorneys will assist the individual charged with a crime. This occurs in the following cases:
- After an arrest by the police and is charged with some charges.
- At a preliminary hearing.
- In the processing act.
- At trial.
- The defense attorney will advise his client on the best procedural strategy and help him understand the charges he has been subjected to and their consequences.
How can a criminal lawyer help me?
Being charged with a crime, depending on the severity of the crime, can land you straight in prison or even death row in some states. Criminal case lawyers can help you in the following ways.
- Have a defined defense strategy to follow.
- Help you understand the criminal charges filed against you and their consequences.
- Carry out an exhaustive investigation of your case to present evidence that corroborates your innocence.
- Speak on your behalf to both the police and the prosecution.
- Negotiate the sentence with the prosecution.
- Submit petitions and appeal the sentence.
- Determine if they have violated any of their rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
- Reduce your bail.
- Apply for parole.
Keep in mind that under the United States Constitution, defendants are innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, the defense attorney must investigate and develop a strategy that allows doubts to be raised in the account of guilt presented by the prosecution.
For this reason alone, if you or a family member have been accused of a crime, I recommend that you put yourself in the hands of an experienced criminal or criminal defense attorney who knows perfectly well the state and federal criminal laws.
Keep in mind that most of the criminal lawyers that I present to you offer a free first consultation . You also have at your disposal criminal lawyers in Spanish who can help you in your own language and thus avoid misunderstandings.
What skills should a criminal lawyer present?
Criminal lawyers and criminal lawyers must have special skills that will allow them to have greater guarantees of success. The main ones would be the following;
- Research. The best criminal lawyers are helped by detectives and related professionals to build the case and look for evidence that casts doubt on the version of the prosecution.
- Analytical skills. Developing a successful legal strategy is not easy. For this reason, a criminal lawyer with this skill is essential, especially if your case is complex.
- Oral and written expression. It goes without saying that presenting the case in court is one of the most important aspects of the case. Therefore, jury persuasion is directly related to the lawyer’s ability to express himself.
- Professional experience. Thorough knowledge of state, federal, and local criminal laws as well as all court procedures is essential.
Types of crimes in the United States
Criminal lawyers will advise you on the best legal strategy to follow
In the United States, the criminal code distinguishes between felonies and misdemeanors based on the seriousness of the crime and the type of penalty that can be imposed.
Thus, serious crimes imply a prison sentence of more than one year (it can be less if the judge so stipulates) or even death in some states .
Within this classification are, for example, murder, manslaughter, rape, arson, robbery with force or robbery with violence, fraud, crime of fraudulent administration and many others of special gravity.
Misdemeanors on your part are punishable by up to a year in prison and/or a fine . Examples of these misdemeanors are assaults without serious injury, public intoxication, petty theft, and other misdemeanors.
How much do criminal lawyers charge?
The fee structure for a criminal defense attorney varies based on several factors. These can range from the experience he has, the percentage of cases won or the city where he is, among others.
Criminal attorneys who work for a law firm typically have the highest salaries
Low-income people can opt for public defenders and non-profit organizations. Although these are not totally free, their salaries are much more modest.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for the year 2020 , the salary range of lawyers in this country is as follows:
- Median Annual Salary: $126,930 per year.
- Median hourly wage: 61.03 per hour.
However, the national average rate for a criminal attorney is approximately $200 an hour .
If you do not have enough resources, you can contact the non-profit organizations and pro bono lawyers that I propose in the free lawyers section .
If you need to delve into the cost structure of criminal lawyers near me and the factors on which the salary of a criminal lawyer depends, I recommend this site.
What to ask in an initial consultation with a criminal lawyer?
I recommend that you prepare a list of at least five criminal lawyers to consult before deciding on one.
If you are looking for a particular lawyer and you cannot find it in the lists that buscoabogado.us offers you, you can look for it directly in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Most criminal defense attorneys offer a free or low-cost initial consultation with no obligation to hire one . Therefore, get in touch with the criminal defense lawyers of your choice by phone and schedule a meeting with them.
TIP
Do not be impressed by the credentials and success rates of a criminal attorney.
This initial consultation will help you decide whether to trust a particular attorney with your case. On the other hand, the criminal lawyer will also help him understand your case and therefore decide if he is suitable to represent you.
What questions should I ask in the first consultation?
You should feel that the lawyer you speak with is involved in your case, that you can trust him and therefore your future.
In addition to the formal questions that any lawyer will ask you to understand your problem, you should come to the meeting with a list of questions that will help you decide if that lawyer is the right one for you.
For example, you can ask what result you can expect from your case. An answer as precise as possible and sincere would be ideal. What you should not accept as true is that it guarantees success because this result does not depend on it and can lead to great disappointment.
Are the criminal lawyers that I propose good?
All the listed criminal lawyers will give you a general idea of what you can expect from each of them.
Thanks to the evaluations left by other clients and their qualification, you will have a base on which to guide yourself to make a list of lawyers to consult.
Logically, no case is the same as yours, but if a professional has numerous positive reviews, this lawyer will have an endorsement with which to guide you. Look for longer reviews that describe their way of working, their treatment and their results, they are especially valuable .
All the criminal lawyers that I propose have a clean record of sanctions, without notable complaints and have the corresponding license to practice in your state.
Immigration Criminal Lawyers
If you have been arrested and you do not have your residence documentation in order in the United States, you have a serious problem. Your immigration status may be in serious jeopardy simply by being arrested, much more so if you are convicted .
In this case, it is essential to go hand in hand with a good criminal immigration attorney who knows how to fight to dismiss the charges and thereby protect your immigration status.
Even if you have been convicted in the course of a criminal charge, criminal immigration attorneys can help you get a green card or stop deportation .
In what cases should I seek a criminal immigration attorney?
For both felonies and misdemeanors , if criminal charges are filed against you, your immigration benefits may be in jeopardy.
If your dream is to legalize your immigration status, you should have the advice of a professional to avoid unexpected problems.
Criminal immigration lawyers can get rid of criminal records that prevent you from legalizing your immigration status. consult them.
