Why Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
According to crime statistics presented by the San Antonio Police Department, there were a total of 48,093 crimes reported from January through June of 2010. The vast majority of these involved theft, with burglary and aggravated assault in a far second and third. The following is a breakdown of the crimes reported in the city:
Theft – 32,866
Burglary – 8,255
Aggravated Assault – 2,786
Motor Vehicle Theft – 2,738
Robbery – 1,154
Forcible Rape – 251
Murder – 43
When a crime is reported to law enforcement, an investigation will typically begin. The law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the matter will generally take the lead, determining whether there is sufficient reason to pursue an investigation. The agency will then work to build enough evidence against the suspect to make an arrest and give the prosecuting attorney the means to press charges.
Are you under investigation for a crime? Or, have you already been arrested for a criminal offense? If your answer is yes to either question, you are not sitting comfortably right now. As a resident of Texas, you are most likely very familiar with our state’s legal system which is renowned for being tough on crime and having little patience for criminals.
Even if you are entirely innocent of the charges it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can avoid a conviction. If innocence was enough to avoid conviction, there wouldn’t be such a thing as wrongful convictions but alas there are. Innocent men and women are still sent to our nation’s prisons only to be exonerated years later when new evidence is revealed. When this happens, sometimes decades go by before the wrongfully accused are released, leaving families torn apart and lives destroyed.
If you are a person of interest in a criminal investigation or if you have been arrested it’s important that you exercise your right to remain silent. This is especially crucial because anything you say can and will be used against you. Even seemingly innocent information can be used to develop a case against you; therefore, in a calm and polite manner, tell the investigators that you are not going to answer any questions without a criminal defense attorney present.
How can a private criminal defense lawyer help you? They will protect your legal rights! An experienced attorney will know the ins and outs of the legal system. Their knowledge will be your asset because there is virtually no way that you will understand the full scope of the legal system unless you carry a law degree. A lawyer will ensure that your Constitutional rights are protected and they will make sure that you don’t make the gross error of incriminating yourself. The last thing you want is to have your future and your fate in the hands of twelve jurors without having a heavyweight attorney by your side. In fact, the right lawyer can mean the difference between imprisonment and freedom.
People are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in America’s criminal justice system; however, there is no guarantee that you will have the best outcome if you are represented by a weak defense lawyer. If your future and your freedom are important to you, you must retain legal counsel from a skilled and powerful criminal defense lawyer who can effectively defend your case. Don’t hesitate another moment – contact a criminal defense attorney immediately to protect your legal rights!
