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

Criminal Attorney Fairfax VA: Mistakes When Facing Charges

Being charged with criminal acts is quite nerve wracking. You surely don’t want to ruin your future, reputation, and the safety of your family. To avoid worsening the situation, you should immediately hire a criminal attorney.

A criminal attorney will carefully guide you of the things you should and should not do during the whole legal process. Moreover, you can refrain from committing mistakes when getting arrested and when questioned during the trial. Remember that a little mistake can cause a big unpleasant event where you might find guilty or will face worse penalties.

Take notice of these common mistakes, you should avoid when facing criminal charges:

1. Talks too much when being arrested.

Don’t say anything when you are being arrested, instead, exercise your civil right to remain silent. You might think that people around you will assume that you are guilty if you keep your mouth shut. Well, that is certainly not a wise thought. It is more practical to not let go any statement because the police can use it against you even if it’s positive in nature.

2. Too confident that your innocence will set you free.

Let us say that you didn’t really commit a crime - that you are totally innocent, don’t ever let your guard down. Stay mindful with your actions and statements when questioned by the police because they will still perform their job of finding evidence against you.

3. Being aggressive.

Don’t make decisions or acts according to your current situation because it will not do you any good. Instead, keep your calm and just focus on how to clear up your name and in order to achieve this - you should have a criminal lawyer with you. Don’t talk back or be rude with the police officers or even try to flee and ignore summons from authorities because they can use it against you.

4. Not trusting your hired lawyer.

Since you chose to have a criminal lawyer to work with, trust him/her. Don’t be so confident that you can go through it all alone. Treat your lawyer as your partner where you should work together, listen to each other then compromise for a more effective and wise decision regarding your case. Trust in them because it is their job to help you.

5. Hiring a criminal attorney who charge too much and too cheap.

If you want to hire a less expensive lawyer because you want to save money, then don’t. Why? Because it’ll only get you in trouble, you can’t be sure that a certain lawyer will provide a service more than what you paid for. On the other hand, it is a grave mistake as well if your hire a very expensive lawyer. So make sure to do a research on how much a criminal lawyer usually costs in your area.

You can prevent a criminal charge from destroying your life. Sit down and do a consultation with a criminal attorney fairfax va or just dial to contact one.

Hire the most reliable and trustworthy criminal attorneys in Fairfax, VA.

Wise & Donahue Law Firm

703-934-6377

10476 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22033

www.wisedonahue.com

Criminal Lawyer Fairfax VA: What Are You Paying For

What are you really paying for when hiring a criminal lawyer fairfax va? What specific legal fees does it include?

Generally, you know that you’re paying the professional service provided by a lawyer and that’s all. Usually, a good lawyer should explain and break down all legal fees, you will be paying for before the start of the legal process. But to give you an initial knowledge, here are some fees you’ll probably encounter during the process.

Types of fee arrangements used by lawyers:

1. Initial Consultation Fee

Some law firms who offer free consultation to potential clients. But for those who charge consultation fees, they either offer you an hourly or fixed fee for your first meeting. This serves as a payment for analyzing and giving advice regarding your criminal case.

2. Retainer Fee

An advance fee deposit is the most common type of retainer fee, it is like a down payment because you will pay it up front. Thereafter, the lawyer will deduct his/her arranged hourly fees and costs, so this deposit does not pay for the entire case expenses. A retainer may also mean that your lawyer is on-call to handle legal problems that may occur over a period of time.

3. Flat Fee

Also referred to as ‘set fee’ because a lawyer will charge you a total fee. This often applies if your criminal case is not a complex one. Since it is set, no matter how much time your lawyer will spend working on your case, the fee will not change at all. When things get worse and your case became complicated, this is the time to talk and ask your lawyer if the fee will change or not.

4. Hourly Fee

An hourly fee is arranged depending on three factors; namely on the hourly rate set by a certain city or town, type of cases a lawyer worked on, and the lawyer’s length of experience.

A good criminal lawyer will give you an estimated hour of when the case will end with an estimated total cost beforehand. However, unexpected events may occur along the process which will prolong his.her service, so it’s better to ask your lawyer from time to time about the charges. If you are lucky enough, some lawyers may choose to reduce his/her hourly late considering your financial status.

5. Referral Fee

This fee applies when a lawyer refers you to another lawyer and will ask a share of the total fee you pay for the case. However, regulations and qualifications from the state or local bar association are to be met in order to approve a referral fee. Primarily, the amount charged should be reasonable and you agreed to it.

Make sure that you are paying for the right person and for the right service. Find a criminal lawyer who is fully committed to execute his professional obligation and has high work ethics.

Looking for credible and experienced criminal lawyers?

Wise & Donahue Law Firm

703-934-6377

10476 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22033

www.wisedonahue.com

Assess A Good Criminal Attorney By Experience

Facing a criminal charge or know someone who is accused of a criminal act? Then this is not something you can settle alone.

Don’t even think twice about hiring an attorney who specializes in criminal law. You might not see the effect immediately, but in the long run, you’ll realize you made the right choice of hiring one. This is because their expertise and experience in the legal world will help you deal with the legal process cleanly and smoothly preventing future complications.

Most people ask first the experience of a criminal attorney. Here are some points on how to properly assess him/her based on experience, specifically.

1. The length of practicing law

You can identify an amateur or a veteran attorney through this. Two years is still very short and a shaky foundation, yet five to ten years in the field of law is enough to gain wide knowledge of how the court works as well as the ins and outs. There’s even a saying, “Experience is the best teacher”, actual ones in that case.

2. Majority of cases handled

Now that you know how long a criminal attorney if practicing law, you still need to ask about what are the most common cases he/she encountered. With this, you can determine if an attorney matches well the specific nature of your criminal case and if he/she will effectively handle yours. You can even ask an additional question relating to it such as, “How many cases have you represented in the court similar to mine?”

3. Common clients work with

You may think that this kind of point is not necessary or not important at all. Yet, for your information, this is as significant as the other aforementioned points. Why? Simply because some attorneys mostly handled corporate cases which is not really ideal if he/she will handle an individual case like yours. Two cases are far more different in terms of court regulations and state laws.

4. Kind of approach when representing a case

Attorneys have different ways in dealing with a case because they are holding different philosophies. If you are not a kind of aggressive person then an attorney who is involved with arguments all the time is a NO NO for you. Assess the experience of an attorney on how he/she approach cases in the past, so that you can determine if you’ll be comfortable working with him/her.

Experience always counts, so ask any questions you like into dig deeper to an attorney’s experience. It would be your ticket to find a good one who is fit for you and your legal needs and most importantly, the appropriate skill and knowledge you need to go through with your criminal case.

Find an experienced attorney and at the same a good match for you. The one you are confident working with and who listens well to your requests. Visit Wise & Donahue Law Firm at 10476 Armstrong Street, Fairfax Virginia.

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