When people are accused of a crime they need to find an experienced
Criminal Defense Attorney quickly. When faced with criminal charges,
trying to find the right Criminal Defense Attorney may feel
overwhelming. People who have been recently arrested need to talk to a
Criminal Defense Attorney as soon as possible. A Criminal Defense
Attorney can help to arrange release, lower your bail and provide
information about
what's to come in the days ahead. You will need to hire a Criminal
Defense Attorney who is experienced, committed and skilled in order to
handle your criminal defense needs. A Criminal Defense Attorney does
much more than simply question witnesses in a criminal court of law.
Criminal law is the part of law that relates to so-called "public
wrongs." Criminal law does not concern itself with disputes between
individuals, but relates to offenses against the public class. The
federal government, along with cities and states, identify and prosecute
people who commit crimes that range from minor traffic violations, to
serious, violent offenses, like rape or murder. People who are accused
of a crime are called defendants, their attorneys are known as criminal
defense attorneys. The governmental body that pursues the charges
against the defendant is represented by a lawyer called a prosecutor. If
you find yourself charged with a crime, you need the legal counsel of an
experienced criminal defense attorney, to protect your rights now, and
in the future.
The United States Constitution prohibits taking a person's life,
liberty, or property without the due process of law. In order to meet
this criteria, a criminal statute must clearly set out the manner that
will be considered criminal. The statute must be more than a vague
description that leaves a person without notice of exactly what conduct
is prohibited. A criminal statute must set out the state of mind of a
guilty person, called the mens rea, as well as the unlawful action, or
actus reus. If you
accidentally step on someone when you enter a crowded elevator, this is
not a crime because there was no guilty mind. Fantasizing about stomping
on your boss's toes is not a crime because there is no guilty act.
Crimes of attempt, like attempted murder, are not an exception to this
rule. Attempt crimes require doing something toward the commission of
the crime. A criminal defense attorney will be able to explain these
terms to you, and to take away some of the ambiguity of an unusual
circumstance.
The Defense Process
Each lawyer involved in the criminal justice system must adhere to a
complex set of rules of process to ensure a fair trial. The rules apply
to both prosecutors and defense attorneys. This complex procedure means
that the criminal justice system is best dealt with by an knowledgeable
criminal defense attorney. A defense attorney should get involved in a
case at the initial stages, even before questioning, if possible. The
arresting officers have the responsibility to inform the person in
custody that he or she has the right to an attorney, and the right to
have an attorney appointed if he or she does not have the resources to
pay for an attorney. Most of us are familiar with these warnings-called
"Miranda" warnings.
