If you’ve been arrested for the first time, chances are you’re worried about what’s going to happen next. It’s not like on television shows, and the process can actually be a much longer and more complicated than what you might expect. Criminal Law in Phenix City AL covers a wide variety of crimes, and the potential sentences for them can vary from small fines to life in prison. Whether or not you’re convicted, and the sentence you could receive, depend on the crime you committed, the evidence against you, and the lawyer you hire.
Crimes
Criminal Law in Phenix City AL, as stated, covers a wide variety of crimes. Some crimes, such as speeding or running a red light, simply come with a fine and do not show up on your permanent criminal record. Crimes that are more serious fall under either misdemeanor or felony crimes. Misdemeanor crimes, like small thefts, drug possession, and similar crimes, are sentenced to a year or less in jail, and may include other punishments like fines or community service. Felony crimes include murder, large thefts, drug trafficking and more. They’re characterized as crimes that have a sentence of a year or more in jail.
Evidence
The evidence can work against you, but in some cases there may not be enough evidence to prove you committed the crime. In some cases, evidence can be dismissed because it was gathered or handled illegally. Your lawyer can help you find out if any of the evidence can be dismissed in your case. If there isn’t enough evidence to prove you’re guilty, your charges may be dropped or reduced.
Lawyer
The first thing you should do after being arrested is hire a lawyer. They can go through the evidence in your case to see if anything can be dismissed, or if there’s enough to charge you. They’ll work to dispute the evidence so you receive a not-guilty verdict. Even if you do receive a guilty verdict, they can work hard to make sure you receive the minimum sentence.
If you’ve been arrested, don’t wait to hire a lawyer. You can Contact Ezell Chancey and Raiford LLP to start receiving help for your case. The faster you hire a lawyer, the more time they have to prepare your defense and the higher your chances of a better outcome. Speak with a lawyer today to see how they can help with your case.
