Once you have been charged with a crime, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, you want to know that you are working with someone who will gather all of the necessary evidence and create a defense that works for your circumstances. However, what happens after you have hired your lawyer? Do you just sit around waiting for them to call with information? Do you talk with them every day? Understandably, you may have many questions and you may be wondering what they are doing for you behind the scenes.
What will my lawyer do for me?
Immediately after hiring a lawyer, they will want to learn as much about the circumstances surrounding your criminal charges. They will want to gather evidence and understand what kind of evidence law enforcement may have against you. Your lawyer will know whether the evidence gathered against you is legitimate and whether it was gathered legally or not. The evidence they will try to gather could come in the form of:
- Surveillance footage
- Eyewitness’ testimonies
- Expert witnesses
- DNA evidence
After gathering evidence, your lawyer will go to court with you and determine what kind of plea you should enter.
Is it possible to have my charges reduced?
Absolutely. A lawyer, like a criminal defense lawyer Des Moines, IA from a law firm Law Group of Iowa, may decide that the best legal route to take is trying to get your charges reduced instead of dropped. When this is the case, it could mean that instead of facing time in prison, you spend a certain amount of time in jail, have to go on probation, or must go through certain courses. If your lawyer is successful, this could mean a much better outcome for you.
Is it truly “innocent until proven guilty”?
This phrase means that even if you are charged with a specific crime, that does not mean you are guilty of it. Thus, until you are convicted of a crime or decide to plead guilty, you are innocent.
What is my arraignment?
Your lawyer will explain to you that when you go to court for your arraignment, it means that you are hearing the crimes you are being accused of formally and legally being brought against you.
What should I do?
When you have been charged with a crime, you do not want to face this alone. You want to know you have a skilled lawyer you can trust by your side. Reach out to your local legal office today for help.