In Utah, criminal defendants have the right to legal representation throughout the court process – yet many fail to realize that they can hire a Salt Lake City criminal attorney before or immediately after being taken into police custody.
Before subjecting you to interrogation, the police are required to read you your Miranda rights, part of which involves informing you of your right to have a lawyer present when you’re being questioned. At that point, you should keep quiet and ask to call a criminal attorney.
Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer Before You Are Indicted
Hiring a criminal attorney before you get arrested and formally charged is ideal, as doing so means your lawyer can look out for your rights and work on building a case from the get-go. Instead of doing damage control, your attorney will be able to focus on moving forward.
How would you know if you might need to hire a criminal defense lawyer? The following are good reasons to contact an attorney sooner rather than later:
- You’ve had run-ins with local law enforcement.
- Someone has reported you to the police.
- Officers have questioned your friends or family.
- The police have come looking for you at home, school or work.
Hiring a Criminal Attorney After Being Arrested for a Crime
While hiring a defense lawyer before you are indicted is best, this isn’t always possible. For many people, being arrested and charged for a crime comes as a total surprise, and if you had no idea you were even under investigation, it wouldn’t have occurred to you to have a criminal attorney in your corner.
In this type of situation, you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney will be able to protect your rights, ensuring that you don’t incriminate yourself during a police interrogation. Further along in the court process, a lawyer will be able to dispute the prosecutor’s evidence, negotiate a plea bargain or reduction in charges or even argue that your case should be dismissed for lack of evidence.
If your case proceeds to trial, your criminal attorney will be able to help select the jury, prepare arguments and assist with every step of your defense. Should you be found guilty, your lawyer can file an appeal and, hopefully, get you a new trial.
Contact a Salt Lake City Criminal Attorney Today
Are you facing criminal charges? Or do you have reason to believe you might be arrested for a crime? Either way, Solon Law is here to help.
Law enforcement is not on your side, and leaving your future in the hands of local prosecutors is never a good idea. With Solon Law, you’ll have a team of experienced professionals protecting your rights, and that can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. For a free and confidential consultation with a highly skilled criminal attorney in Salt Lake City, contact our office today.