Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers Blog
If you have been arrested on suspicion of having committed a crime, you are innocent until you are proven guilty. Simply being arrested does not mean that you have been found guilty of that crime. It means that the state feels there is a reason to believe that you have committed the crime you are being charged with. You must then be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt before you are sentenced.
There are many important rights at stake from the moment you are arrested and throughout the trial process. You have a right to remain silent, you have a right to an attorney, you have the right to a fair and speedy trial, so forth and so on. These rights are very important and protected by the Constitution. However, if you do not know how to properly execute and use your rights, then you may waive them or lose them.
It is important from the onset of any criminal prosecution case for you to hire a knowledgeable and experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense attorney. Hiring an attorney right away will ensure that you do not lose any of your important rights. This includes being aware of all deadlines to schedule hearings, attend arraignments and other important court proceedings that will allow your case to be heard.
In many cases, if you do not act quickly, you may lose your right to a hearing. You may also make statements or admissions that will later be used against you, and can hurt your case.
For example, if you are arrested for possession of a controlled substance, you will be asked certain questions by officers. Having an attorney there will ensure that you do not say anything that may incriminate you. In addition, some of the evidence against you may have been obtained in violation of your fourth amendment rights. If it is obtained in violation of your Constitutional rights, then the evidence may be suppressed and cannot be presented in your case. A thorough analysis and discussion with your attorney will determine whether this is the case. If it is, the charges against you may be dismissed completely.
However, if there are violations of your rights, moving forward without the advice of an attorney may cause you to waive any objections to those rights. When you find yourself facing possible prosecution, it is very important to take your case seriously. A criminal defense specialist is there to help you in those situations, protect your rights, and assure that you get the best possible outcome in your case. Do not delay in seeking the advice of a professional, at the end of your case you will be happy you did!