CRIMINAL DEFENSE

You have the right to remain silent.   Use it.   Do not make any statements to the police without speaking with an attorney first.  If you have been arrested or believe that you are about to be arrested, you need to speak with an attorney immediately.  Although this is very basic advice, I very seldom see it followed.  Most people believe that they can talk their way out of trouble, not realizing how easy it is to make incriminating statements.   Sometimes people even make confessions believing that if they are just honest, the police will be more lenient with them.   Very seldom does it work like that. 

Regardless of what they have told you, the police are focused on doing their job.  Their job is to make an arrest for every crime committed.  They are building a case AGAINST YOU.   Many people find it hard to believe that the police are allowed to lie when interviewing suspects and witnesses.   They are and they do.  They are good at their job and feel justified in doing it well. 

You are presumed innocent until the prosecution proves that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden is on the prosecution to prove your guilt and they must provide all evidence that will provide this proof.   You are not required to prove your innocence and you are not required to cooperate with the police or help them build a case against you.     Depending on the facts in your case, it might be in your best interests to cooperate with the police.   However, this determination should be made only after speaking with an attorney who regularly handles criminal defense cases in the jurisdiction where you have been arrested.    

If you have already made statements or made a confession, all is not necessarily lost.  There might be ways to keep these statements from being used against you.   Even if the statements were legitimately obtained and can be used against you, the right negotiations with the police and the prosecution might minimize the punishment and consequences that you face.

I have provided more information about specific courts where I regularly work on other pages in this site.   If you have questions about where to go to court or need contact information to a particular court, look under Municipal and State Courts in the blue menu bar above.

I enjoy handling criminal defense cases.   Many people make bad choices and deserve a second chance.  Also, there are currently too many laws that criminalize immoral behavior; just because something is immoral does not mean that it should be a crime.  The government has injected itself into many areas of life that should be left to the family and religion.  In my opinion, the only true criminal offenses are crimes where there is an obvious victim.  Having a family member become intangled in the criminal justice system merely because they made poor personal choices only benefits the government who receives the fines and court costs and the lawyers who prosecute and defend the accused.  

If you have been arrested or believe that your are about to be arrested, please call (251) 964-7774 to make an appointment for a free consultation.  You can also submit your contact information, requesting to be contacted.