Felony Lawyer: Keeping Your Interests First

Facing a criminal trial can be very challenging, and a trying situation such as this requires the right support from your family as well as professional counsel from a skilled criminal attorney. If you have been charged with committing a serious crime, be sure to consult a competent felony lawyer so that you are assured of fair representation in a court of law.

What Constitutes a Felony

Crimes are typically classified depending on the severity of the act, as well as the degree of sentence applicable for each. Petty offenses are among the least severe of crimes, with misdemeanors classified as more serious acts that are typically punishable with a heavy fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year in duration. Felonies are considered to be the most serious of crimes, and an accused convicted of a felony is liable to have a longer sentence typically served in a federal prison or a penitentiary. This is why hiring a good felony lawyer to represent you in court is crucial.

Felonies cover a number of grave crimes such as first-degree murder or rape, and the actual approach to indictment for each crime varies by state. Certain jurisdictions mandate a grand jury indictment for any serious crime to be officially charged, whereas other less serious crimes are chargeable merely with a written complaint filed against the accused. Aside from the procedural differences in charging the crime, consecutive felonies are misdemeanors that may have a long-standing impact on the person's future convictions. Many states have what is termed the 'three strikes laws,' which essentially determine sentences based on past felonies. This essentially means that an individual who has been previously convicted of two felonies is liable to a sentence spanning 25 years to life prison, minus any option for parole. This applies even if the third crime charged is a misdemeanor, although the actual legal specifics do show variations between jurisdictions.

Know Your Rights

The U.S. Constitution sets in place a number of provisions to ensure that the accused is given access to a free and fair trial. In addition to the right to legal representation, an individual also has what is famously referred to as the Miranda Rights. As a further offshoot of the Miranda warning issued at the time of an actual arrest, courts also protect the individual from the risk of self-incrimination, which means that the accused cannot be forced to bear witness against themselves.

The Fifth and the Sixth Amendments of the Penal Code define the rights of an accused, including the right to legal counsel. In other words, if an individual charged with a crime is unable to hire a lawyer, a state defense lawyer is usually appointed to help represent the defendant. An accused is therefore eligible for legal counsel from the time of being placed in custody and during every stage of the trial up until the indictment, if it comes to that.

Hiring the Right Felony Lawyer

Given the personal and professional complications of being charged with a criminal offense, the significance of consulting a qualified criminal attorney cannot be underestimated. Aside from representing your interests during interrogation as well as trial, a seasoned attorney can help negotiate a good plea bargain. Regardless of the actual nature of criminal charge you are facing, choosing a skilled attorney can be key to ensuring a speedy trial and a favorable outcome in court.