You may have heard that you have the right to remain silent, but what does that actually mean? It’s not exactly a simple concept. If you find yourself in a tricky legal situation, you might feel completely lost. What do you do when police show up at your house asking questions about something incriminating? What if they ask to search your car or another suspicious location? Do you have to answer their questions? Can they arrest you for anything? These are all important things to know if you find yourself faced with some unfortunate legal circumstances. The sooner you understand your rights, the better your chance of protecting them. You don’t want to spend time researching and reading about different scenarios when there are real-life implications on the line. Here are some crucial signs that indicate it’s time to contact a criminal defense attorney:
You’re facing charges for a serious crime.
One of the most obvious signs you need a criminal defense attorney is if you’re facing charges for a serious crime. This doesn’t mean you should ignore minor legal troubles, but it’s a good idea to find an criminal defense lawyer ava mo as soon as possible. Make sure you have someone on your side who can help reduce the penalty for your charges.
There’s a warrant out for your arrest.
If you’ve missed a court date or a warrant has been issued for your arrest, you need to find a criminal defense attorney right away. Arrest warrants are issued when you violate the conditions of your bail or parole. If the judge finds you guilty but is allowing you some time to prepare a defense, you should contact an attorney as soon as you know about the verdict. There are many things an attorney can do for you after an arrest warrant has been issued. They can find out why the warrant was issued and if there’s any way to get it dropped. They can also help you prepare for your hearing or trial. An attorney can help you figure out a strategy for your hearing or trial. They can also help you find ways to mitigate the charges or penalties you might have to face. If you have a hearing coming up, it’s important to have an attorney on your side. Judges will usually increase the penalties if you show up without an attorney.
Police find evidence during an illegal search.
Police don’t always follow the law and may use illegal search tactics like conducting a search without a warrant or while not in plain view of the person being searched. If police illegally get their hands on evidence against you, your attorney can file a motion to have those items excluded from the case. If the evidence is found during a traffic stop, you should ask the officer if he or she has probable cause to search your vehicle. If they don’t, you should refuse their request. If they decide to search your vehicle anyway, you can file a motion to have the evidence excluded from your case. If the evidence is found during a search and seizure, you should ask the officer if they have a warrant. Make sure they read the warrant to you and follow any instructions for keeping the scene secure. You should also ask for a copy of the warrant so you have the necessary information for your defense attorney.
