Criminal arrests can happen anywhere. They might result from an honest mistake or be the culmination of a months-long investigation. In any scenario, it is crucial to rely on a skilled defense attorney to protect your rights.
If you have been arrested, there is no time to delay. A Denver County criminal defense lawyer could help you protect your rights and advocate on your behalf to get you the best chance of a favorable outcome in your case. Contact Petrash Law today.
A Denver County criminal defense attorney could assist with a wide range of cases. The state aggressively pursues convictions in everything from drunk driving to violent assaults. In any of these cases, the consequences of a conviction are serious.
Incarceration is always a possibility when someone is found guilty of a crime. This is particularly true for felonies, which can result in a life-changing sentence. Each offense also has the potential for steep monetary fines that could haunt a defendant for years to come. Some of the charges that often lead to these penalties include:
These charges may be serious, but that does not mean a conviction is guaranteed. The right legal professional could negotiate a reasonable plea or fight back at trial.
In addition to jail time or monetary fines, a criminal conviction can also lead to collateral consequences. These are side effects of being found guilty of a crime that is not part of the statutory penalties. For example, having a criminal record can make it difficult to find a job or secure reasonable housing. Felony convictions can even cost someone their constitutional rights to own a firearm and vote.
Each criminal offense is unique, so there is no uniform way for a defense lawyer in Denver County to fight back. Some strategies work with certain crimes but are nonviable when it comes to others. Finding the right strategy starts with a careful review of the facts. Some of the most common approaches include the following:
When it comes to violent crimes, many defendants claim that they were acting in defense of themselves or others. A person is entitled to use reasonable force to defend themselves when they reasonably believe they are facing imminent harm. This defense also applies when shielding someone else.
Prosecutors face a high burden of proof, and highlighting their inability to meet it is a common approach.
Many arrests and convictions are built on evidence discovered through police searches. Whether they occur in a home or a vehicle, these searches must be authorized in some way. An attorney could file a motion to exclude any evidence that was found during an unlawful search.
If you have been charged with a crime, it can feel as if your only option is to accept responsibility and plead guilty. While negotiating a plea might be a viable option in some cases, you have the right to fight these charges with the help of a Denver County criminal defense lawyer. Call today to learn more.