If you have been accused of a crime that may carry as a penalty, time in prison, you will definitely need the best criminal defense attorney in Salinas on your side.
The criminal justice system is extremely complex, regardless of how knowledgeable you think you are; attempting to represent yourself in a criminal case can only lead to disaster. Although charges can be the same, no two criminal cases are the same. A criminal defense attorney can identify those portions of your case which makes it unique and he can identify arguments based on case law that might negate or mitigate the crime you are charged with.
The tasks of a criminal defense attorney:
There is far more to a criminal case than calling witnesses for the defense and cross examining witnesses brought forward by the prosecution, your attorney will undertake numerous tasks before and during your time in court. In many cases your attorney will attempt to negotiate a plea bargain, reducing the possible sentence and eliminating or reducing the severity of some of the charges that have been brought against you.
Your attorney can help develop an acceptable sentence based on your particular situation. If, for example, you were found guilty of a drug offense that carries a sentence of 12 months in jail, your criminal defense attorney in Salinas can work toward reducing jail time by half with the remaining six months in a rehab program.
It is not only your attorney’s knowledge of the law and how he will employ it in your defense; your attorney can also help you psychologically. No doubt you will be embarrassed and depressed, not knowing what to expect next. Your criminal defense attorney in Salinas will have represented hundreds of clients in court; he can give you an honest assessment of the situation. These judgment calls that your attorney can offer are very helpful in deciding the next move in the event the prosecution offers a plea bargain opportunity.
Never even consider representing yourself if you are charged with committing a crime, the law is far too complex for a layperson to understand and the ramifications of failure are more than can be imagined.
