When you have been arrested for and charged with a crime, you have the opportunity to hire a lawyer to represent you immediately. Before the police can question you, you can invoke your constitutional right to legal representation.
When you hire a criminal defense lawyer Jupiter FL defendants like you can avoid incriminating yourself during questioning. You also get experienced representation that can prove your innocence in court.
If you wonder at what point you should hire a criminal defense lawyer Jupiter FL defendants like you may be advised to do so before you appear at your arraignment hearing. During this hearing, the judge will decide whether or not to set bail or bond for you. The amount of money you may need to pay in order to get out of jail will be based on factors like your previous criminal history and the offense with which you have been charged.
You want a good attorney by your side to argue your case before the judge. Your lawyer may be able to get the bail or bond amount reduced or excluded if you have no prior criminal record and you are not a flight risk or danger to the community.
Your attorney can stay on retainer until your case goes to trial. If you decide to go to trial rather than take a plea deal, you need an attorney who can present evidence that may exonerate you completely. Your attorney’s arguments may convince the judge or jury that you are innocent of the charges and should be found not guilty.
If you decide to take a plea deal, however, you also want an attorney to bargain down the charges and minimize the amount of punishment you will receive. Depending on the charge, you may get probation or house arrest rather than jail time.
