When you find yourself in an unfortunate situation and you are facing criminal charges, hefty fines and significant jail time, you need a criminal defense lawyer committed to taking the steps necessary to protect your rights.
Many people are accused of criminal activity, and whether they face complex drug trafficking charges, or white-collar offenses such as mail fraud, or money laundering, all have a constitutional right to legal representation and “due process.” The right lawyer makes a difference, and that lawyer is someone experienced enough to evaluate the charges and evidence against you and to craft the best possible defense strategy.
Why Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer Near You
Make sure you hire someone who knows the judges, clerks, and other attorneys in the area—someone who networks with them and has their respect. Such a local attorney will know what your judge is looking for and what arguments work with him or her. Checking you local BAR associates can help you with the determining process.
Your attorney should know the local police officers and detectives, their reputations, and their shortcomings, as well as any department policies and procedures that they may have violated.
An attorney near you should also know the local jury pool, in case you need to go to trial. Knowing the general attitudes of the area and even specific jurors will help greatly in crafting an effective defense on your behalf.
Finally, you will want a criminal defense lawyer who knows and has the respect of the prosecutor’s office. You want the prosecutor to take your attorney seriously when he or she vouches for you.
If nobody in the local court system knows him or her, your attorney will have to start establishing those connections from scratch, rather than hitting the ground running on your case. That’s a difficult task for even the best attorneys.
What the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do
Seek a criminal defense attorney with extensive experience and documented successful results in litigating complex cases; one with a solid reputation within the local legal community. The right lawyer will:
- Recognize weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
- Gather and review all pertinent evidence
- Request a reduction or a waiver of bail
- Leverage his or her knowledge of case law to your benefit
- Know that your story is important and deserves to be heard
- Understand how to present your story to a jury in the most effective way possible
- Be your advocate and protector
You Will Not Meet Your Lawyer Under Ideal Circumstances
The least stressful time to seek legal assistance is before you actually need it. Only a few defendants have that foresight. More often, clients seek help after they were arrested or have been notified they are under criminal investigation. In other words, that means the first meeting with a criminal defense attorney usually happens under difficult circumstances. We strive to set our clients minds at ease as much as possible. We do that by giving you all the information you need and advising you on the best approach to your case.
It is important to understand that being charged with a criminal offense does not mean you have to admit guilt. Every person charged with a crime has the right to a presumption of innocence, a right to confront the evidence against them, and a right to trial by jury if they so choose. The job of criminal defense attorneys is to provide sound, sensible advice to give clients the best chance possible of protecting their rights, their lives, and their livelihoods.
Look For a Legal Team With a Diverse Skill Set
At Koffsky & Felsen, LLC, we have experience with a wide range of criminal matters, in both state and federal court, including:
- Drug offenses
- Drug trafficking or drug smuggling
- Arson
- Fraud
- Firearm offenses
- Immigration offenses
- Tax evasion
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
- Mail fraud
- Money laundering
- DUI/DWI/OUI
- Counterfeiting
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Bribery
- Pyramid schemes
- RICO crimes
- Insider trading
- Occupational fraud
- Healthcare fraud
- Computer crimes
- Insurance fraud
- Identity theft
- Rape
- Assault
- Murder
Choose a Private Attorney Over a Public Defender
Every criminal defendant has a right to an attorney. That does not mean, however, that all criminal defense attorneys have the same skills, resources, or time to commit to their clients, Many court-appointed attorneys (public defenders) are excellent lawyers. But they cannot control how many cases they have on their plate, and they may have too little time to devote to fully protecting your rights.
By choice, a private criminal defense attorney has a more limited caseload. With a private attorney, you can count on receiving the personal attention your case needs. When your life is on the line, you deserve nothing less.
All Defendants Are Innocent When They Walk Into a Courtroom
One of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, was the youngest lawyer to argue before Virginia’s high court at the time. He is known to have stated, “I consider [trial by jury] as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” Our justice system was carefully designed to elicit truth, encourage fairness, promote justice and protect the rights of the accused.
When it is inevitable that your case will go to trial and a jury will determine your fate, a criminal defense lawyer is well equipped to bolster the strength of your case and advise you how your appearance and actions can possibly influence a judge and jury’s perception of the situation. In many instances, perception becomes reality. When you need a lawyer, you need one who will work tirelessly to ensure your story is told in an authoritative voice and communicated in the most effective manner. Do not assume defeat, and do not relinquish the opportunity to be heard.
An Experienced Litigator Is a Powerful Resource
Mistakes made in ignorance will always be more expensive than an experienced lawyer with the resources and fortitude to mount a proper defense. Find a law firm with a well-earned reputation, an impressive professional history, and one with the time it will take to stand with you every step of the way.
Hiring a competent, experienced and dedicated lawyer requires a significant financial investment. When you find yourself in an unfortunate legal situation, do your homework, evaluate your choices carefully and hire the best you can justifiably afford.
For additional information contact a licensed attorney in your area.
