HOW TO FIGHT A FELONY CHARGE

 BATTLING A FELONY CHARGE

A felony is a very serious criminal charge, and the resulting penalties can be severe. If you are convicted of a felony, you face very serious consequences including large fines, imprisonment, and social stigma that can last the rest of your life. To reduce your chances of facing these challenges, you should take the steps necessary to fight against felony charges with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The following will review some important strategies that you can follow to fight against a felony charge.

UTILIZE YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT

Many people are aware that they have a right to remain silent, but are not certain what this means in practice. The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution recognizes that everyone has a right to avoid incriminating themselves. If you are placed in custody or under arrest by law enforcement, it is almost always a wise idea to refuse to answer any questions and to instead politely request that law enforcement not continue questioning until you have an attorney present.

IMMEDIATELY OBTAIN THE ASSISTANCE OF AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY

One of the best steps that you can take to defend yourself from a felony charge is to immediately obtain the assistance of an experienced attorney. If you answer any question asked by law enforcement without an attorney present, there is a significant chance that you will end up weakening your case.

UNDERSTAND THE CHARGES YOU ARE FACING

Many people do not understand the severity of felony charges or how they are different from misdemeanors. Felonies result in much more serious penalties than misdemeanors and can lead to lengthy periods of imprisonment as well as large fines.

BE HONEST WITH YOUR LAWYER

It is critical to provide your criminal defense attorney with the most accurate and honest information possible about your situation so you can create an effective defense. Unfortunately, many people are uncomfortable being entirely honest with their attorneys because they feel that this information could weaken their case. Instead, it is important to remember that details that are shared in the context of the relationship with your lawyer are privileged and can not be disclosed without your consent.

AVOID DISCUSSING MATTERS WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS

Any conversation you have with family or friends about the felony is likely not protected by confidentiality. This means that these details can later be used against you. Even though there are some exceptions when spouses are involved, it is often a much better idea to avoid speaking about your case to family or friends until the matter is resolved.

EXPERIENCED CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY TO FIGHT YOUR FELONY CHARGE

Federal charges are serious and can result in life-changing penalties. If you or a loved one has been charged with a felony, speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney right away.