When to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been accused or charged with a crime, it might seem confusing to know when is the right time to hire a criminal defense attorney. You may be concerned that hiring a defense attorney too soon is an admission of guilt in some way, but that is not the case.

In this brief article, a Tampa criminal defense lawyer with The Rickman Law Firm shares when you should hire a criminal defense attorney and what a criminal defense attorney can do to help you, regardless of who is guilty.

When You’re Being Questioned by Police

Before you’re named as a suspect, the police will likely begin to question you. You have the right to remain silent and hire an attorney, even if you are not being charged with a crime. This can help protect you from being coerced into a confession for a crime for which you did not commit, and can also help protect your rights in the event that you are named a suspect later on down the line.

When You’ve Been Arrested or Charged with a Crime

When you’ve been arrested and/or charged with a crime, you should contact an attorney immediately. If there is a warrant out for your arrest, you should obtain counsel as well. Your attorney will help you understand the case completely and will discuss the defenses available to your situation. Further, your attorney will help you understand if reducing or changing charges is an option, as well as negotiating a plea bargain for a reduced sentence if you wish to do so.

Before You Give a Statement, Contact an Attorney

Whether you have your worries that you’ll be named a suspect later on or simply are giving a statement in a case in which you are even tangentially involved, you should speak to any attorney before giving any type of statement to the police. As previously mentioned, you have the right to remain silent, especially if you sense that the police may use or misuse information that you provided against you.

If you’re considering hiring a Tampa criminal attorney, contact The Rickman Law Firm. Hiring a criminal attorney does not mean that you are admitting guilt — rather, it is a way to protect yourself against unjust charges. The skilled legal team at The Rickman Law Firm will help you understand the best defense for your specific case and will investigate the case on your behalf. We have years of experience working with cases just like yours and will be able to pursue all necessary evidence and witnesses to obtain a favorable outcome. Our attorneys will not only look into the event, but will also examine the arrest to determine if your rights were violated.

For a free consultation with a criminal attorney in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

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NO CONVICTION FOR GRAND THEFT AND OTHER FELONY CHARGES

The Client was charged with Grand Theft, Providing False Information to a Pawn Broker and Fradulent Use of a Credit Card, all of which are third degree felonies. The client was not convicted.

FELONY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FRAUD CHARGE DISMISSED UPON COMPLETION OF DIVERSON PROGRAM

The Client was charged with Felony Public Assistance Fraud after allegedly using fraudulent qualification. After a successful plea negotiation, Attorney Anthony Rickman got the client into a diversion program, of which allows the charges to

NO CONVICTION OF LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT

The Client was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident without Providing Information, which is a Second-Degree Misdemeanor. The client was not convicted of the offense.

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