Criminal Lawyer Fairfax VA: Important Case Queries To Ask

If you are charged with a crime and you already hired a criminal lawyer, there’s still one step you need to take.

It would help you a lot if you also prepare a list of questions about your case base on your goals just as how you prepare in assessing your lawyer. And since it is a crucial event in your life, you might overlook some questions you need to ask your lawyer before going to court.

You should ask your lawyer the following important queries:

Are there any sentencing alternatives available in my case?

An alternative punishment may refer to home detention, community service, probation, therapy, or work programs.

If you don’t want to serve time in prison in the whole duration of your sentence, you could be granted one of these sentencing alternatives. Yet, sentencing alternatives are not available to all criminal cases, so ask your lawyer beforehand if yours has it. But maybe sometimes you don’t really need to ask because your lawyer will initially tell you so.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?

From the initial consultation, your lawyer should already have in-depth knowledge of your case.Therefore, he/she could determine the advantages and disadvantages of your case -- how to overcome those weaknesses and how to use those strengths for a more favorable outcome.

What are my legal options?

The legal options your lawyer may recommend include a guilty plea, plea agreement, or trial.

Before you decide to plead guilty or agree with what is written in the disclosure package, discuss it first with your lawyer. He/She can give you legal advice and the possible sentence you are likely to receive if you plead guilty.

Your lawyer may also recommend a plea agreement of which you will assent to plead guilty in exchange for an agreement by the prosecutor -- could be to drop one or more charges against you, reduce a charge, or recommend a sentence to the judge more favorable for you.

With a trial, after you are charged with a crime, the case directly proceeds to trial. This is the most complex legal option because you have to go through a lot of phases -- specifically six main phases which include jury selection, opening statements, witness testimony and cross-examination, closing arguments, jury instruction, jury deliberation and verdict.

What potential problems do you anticipate to occur with my case?

Working with almost the same cases for years did really good for experienced criminal lawyers that they can already perceive what would happen with your case if you do this and that. Much more, they can foresee as well, some possible complications that may occur during the legal proceedings.

Regardless what type of crime you are charged with, such queries could surely help you come up with wiser choices. If there are more questions you would like to ask your criminal lawyer, take every opportunity to ask about it. Moreover, it is also advisable to discuss your goals with him/her to properly work in your favor.

Need a reliable legal advice? Visit Wise & Donahue Law Firm at 10476 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 or you may call 703-934-6377.

Wise & Donahue Law Firm

10476 Armstrong Street Fairfax, Virginia 22030

703-934-6377

www.wisedonahue.com

 

What Does It Take to Be a Criminal Lawyer?

Successful lawyers possess certain skills, and the financial rewards for those with the right personal qualities can be substantial. If you find yourself in trouble with the law and in need of an attorney, keep your eyes peeled for a certain personality type. Choosing the right lawyer will result in the best possible outcome for your case.

Experience

A criminal lawyer with experience is very important especially when your life is at stake. Experience with respect to the selection of the jury, cross examination of the witness, developing defense strategy and ratio of the successful trial are a significant input to look for an experience of a criminal lawyer.

Reputation

The reputation of lawyer that you will be hiring for your trial is important. A reputed lawyer is one who has handled high profile cases and generally the lawyer who has a higher ratio of wins as compared to other lawyers, enjoys a high reputation. Good reputation counts a lot in highlighting the credentials of the lawyer and has a lot of experience of handling different phases of the criminal trial.

Busy Work Hours

The tight working schedule of the criminal lawyer fairfax va also signifies his level of expertise. Lawyers who are always available to you are the one who has not been able to attract a large number of clients and may not be the one you are looking for.

Go Local

Since good criminal lower cost a lot it is better to find a reputable one in your locality. This will help you to cut some of the traveling expenses that you may incur if your criminal lawyer is located outside your normal reach. This becomes more important if the period of trial extends longer than the expected.

Someone Who Shows Courage

Since your life will be at stake a courageous criminal lawyer fairfax va is very important. The criminal lawyer should have the ability to handle tough situations such as cross examination of a witness presented in the court, alternate course of action for defense strategy. A criminal lawyer who is courageous will have the ability to counter attack the arguments and threats posed by the prosecution.

As a final remark, your criminal lawyer must maintain exhaustive records of the cases handled and get an industry insight into each clients.That is crucial to building business and relationship in the corporate world. Despite a lot of socializing, he or she knows the limits  of when not to give away their methods and practices. 

 Wise & Donahue Law Firm
703-934-6377
10476 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22033
www.wisedonahue.com

Phases of Criminal Litigation

Facing criminal charges and want do defend yourself from a criminal allegation? Then you need to know the phases of criminal proceedings.

Criminal litigation can be complex in nature depending on your case; it is a serious one, expect a huge turn of events. But don’t stress yourself too much because you have civil rights in order to defend yourself. In fact, a specific clause from the due process states, “may not be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.”

The legal procedure used by any criminal justice system varies because every criminal case has a unique aspect. Less to say, here are the basic stages or phases when undergoing criminal attorney:

Phase 1: Arrest

The initial phase of the criminal proceeding is to arrest the suspect which is done by a police officer. Yet, before the police can arrest, they should: (1) observe the person committing a crime; (2) have probable cause to present, and believe that a crime has been committed by that person; or (3) make the arrest under the authority of a valid arrest warrant issued by a judge or grand jury.

Right after the arrest, the police should complete the booking process, and then place the suspect in custody. If the suspect committed a minor offense, the policy may issue a citation instructing the suspect to appear in court at a mandated date.

Phase 2: Bail

If the law enforcement officials already compiled a written report detailing the alleged offense, the prosecution then determines if the crime really happens and if the suspect as the one who committed it. With this, the type of charge is identified as well. Thereafter, a bail or charge is granted, if appropriate, in exchange for a release.

Release on bail depends on the suspect’s promise to appear at all scheduled court proceedings. A suspect could be released on his own recognizance; of which he/she need not post bail, but still provide a written oath to appear at all scheduled court appearances. Bail may be granted immediately after booking or at a later bail review hearing.

Phase 3: Arraignment

During an arraignment, the judge reads the charges filed against the defendant. Thereafter, the defendant can either plead “guilty,” “not guilty” or “no contest” to the charges stated. This is also the phase where the court determines the conditions of the defendant’s release. The arraignment process is the defendant’s first appearance.

Phase 4: Pretrial Proceedings

Pretrial proceedings, is the phase where the prosecution and the defendant file motions, discovery requests and witness summonses through counsel. Pretrial is done before the actual criminal trial because many criminal cases never actually proceed to formal trial due to a plea agreement agreed by the defense and prosecution.

Phase 5: Trial

If the case proceeds to the actual trial, the judge or the jury will either find the defendant guilty or not guilty. This, after listening to opening and closing statements, examination and cross-examination of witnesses and jury instructions. If the final decision is not unanimous, the judge may call for a mistrial, and the case will either be dismissed or a new jury will be appointed. However, if a judge or jury finds the defendant guilty, he/she will be sentenced.

Phase 6: Sentencing

This phase is where the court determines the suitable punishment for the convicted defendant. To be able to assess the suitable sentence, the court considers a some specific factors, such as the nature and severity of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history, the defendant’s personal circumstances and the degree of remorse felt by the defendant.

Phase 7: Appeal

A defendant convicted of a crime may ask the high court to review his or her case. If the court finds an error in the case or in the sentence imposed, the court may reverse the conviction or look into the case again.

When you are charged of a crime, especially if it is severe, immediately consult a criminal lawyer fairfax va.

Wise & Donahue Law Firm

703-934-6377

10476 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22033

www.wisedonahue.com

How Can You Find a Reliable Criminal Attorney?

So, you have been charged with a crime. This can be challenging if you do not know any criminal attorneys. In addition, you do not have a lot of time to hire an attorney. Choosing a criminal attorney is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. If you opt for someone who spends most of their time focusing on other practice areas and has little experience in criminal law, you could be settling for an unsatisfactory outcome to your case. However, if you choose an experienced law office, you’ll give yourself a fighting chance.

If you want the best of the best, it is important to choose carefully and dig deep into your pocketbook – your freedom could depend on your choice. Spend as much as your money will allow. Learn to dig deep. Ask your colleagues, family and friends for any recommendations that they can provide. First-hand experience is always preferable to reviews online.

The good criminal defense attorney will try his level best to make the punishment allotted to the guilty client is befitting the crime done by the client. It is always better to get some testimonials on a lawyer before hiring the criminal defense attorney. Your friends and family are the best people to approach to find out information on the criminal defense attorney. The good criminal defense attorney is one who stands by the client till the end of the trial, to make sure that the client gets as favorable an outcome as possible. Learn to read testimonials. Do prior clients have good things to say about a particular firm you are considering? Read reviews and testimonials to determine if you like the level of service they provide.

Does the attorney make you feel comfortable the moment you enter the office? Did you feel rushed when you first spoke over the phone? Take note of how a particular lawyer makes you feel from the start, and trust your instincts if you find yourself torn between multiple firms.

Probably the most important thing that your criminal attorney brings to the table is an understanding that there’s no substitute for spending the time that you need to spend with your client to get to know them, to get to know the particulars of their case, to get to know, what issues we’re facing, to get to know the facts at a very granular level, and getting to know the law the latest developments in the law on the case. He or she will bring much else that his or her clients appreciate from the moment you have begun your conversation to the end of the representation.

Wise & Donahue Law Firm
10476 Armstrong Street Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-934-6377
www.wisedonahue.com