When Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you have legal problems, you understand that the stakes are high. It is important for you to put your case in the best position possible to be resolved favorably. That means you need to hire an Austin Defense Lawyer. Many people hesitate to hire a lawyer, often waiting until the last minute to do so. You need to control the narrative of your case, so it is important to hire an attorney sooner rather than later. When should you consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer? Take a look at a few situations below, and do not put off this important decision. 

One of the most common situations where people get themselves in trouble is waiting until they are charged with a crime to hire an Austin Defense Attorney. While you should certainly hire a criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with a crime, it is better for you to hire a criminal defense attorney before this happens. There is a chance that your lawyer might be able to prevent charges from being filed at all. This is much better for your personal situation, and it can save you a significant amount of stress.

While no criminal defense attorney can guarantee that charges will not be filed against you, you have a better chance of controlling the narrative if you reach out to a criminal defense lawyer before you are charged with a crime.

You have the right to remain silent. A lot of people who are worried about facing criminal charges want to contact the police as quickly as possible to try to explain the situation. You need to resist this temptation, as the police will probably contact you eventually to get your side of the story. A lot of police officers and detectives have tactics that they will use to try to get the defendant to admit something, regardless of whether or not they did it. If the police want to speak with you, think twice. It is important to talk to a criminal defense attorney about whether this is the right move. You do not want to say something you regret, and it is almost guaranteed that the police officer will record the interview. Remember that anything you say can be used against you, so do not talk to the police without speaking to a criminal defense attorney first. 

If you are facing assault and battery charges, it is definitely important for you to reach out to a criminal defense lawyer. Assault and battery charges come in all shapes and sizes, and the case can be exceedingly complex. You need to hire a lawyer who understands how this case might unfold, and there are several defenses that a criminal defense attorney might use to help you.

For example, your criminal defense attorney may try to claim you were acting in self-defense. If you did not provoke the other party, or if you were facing imminent harm, this could be a viable defense. There are also situations where your attorney might try to claim you were defending your property. Depending on the situation, this could be an effective defense. 

If you have been charged with a drug crime, you need to reach out to a criminal defense lawyer as well. Drug crimes also come in many shapes and sizes, with some being more serious than others. If you were caught with simple possession, there is a chance that the criminal defense attorney may be able to strike a deal with the prosecutor to have you enter a diversion program instead of having a conviction on your record. If you are charged with a felony, your criminal defense lawyer will explore all defense opportunities, including a possible plea deal. 

Driving under the influence is always serious. You should not operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol because this will impact your ability to drive safely. Furthermore, a DUI can be an especially serious conviction, and it could even carry jail time. If you have been charged with a DUI, you need to reach out to a defense lawyer who can take a close look at your case and make sure you put forth the best possible defense. There might be diversion programs available, and your criminal defense attorney might be able to get the case dismissed entirely. 

These are just a few of the many situations where you should consider hiring a criminal defense attorney. There are a lot of lawyers out there, but not all of them practice criminal law. Lawyers often specialize in a specific area of the law, so make sure you hire someone who has criminal defense experience if you think you might be facing criminal charges. Even though it can be stressful to be involved in the justice system, remember that this is not something you have to go through alone. It is important for you to reach out to a criminal defense attorney who can represent you, defend your rights, and help you put your case in the best position possible. If crime includes rape and sexual assault, robbery and or murder, you will need a specific violent crimes attorney that will help you in this matter. Do not put off hiring a criminal defense attorney if you think you need one.