Shawn Sukumar Attorney at Law

The decision to plead guilty as opposed to going to trial is an important one, and should only be made after thorough consultation with your lawyer. The final decision is yours, but your lawyer can and should advise you on the benefits and drawbacks of pleading guilty, as well as all possible alternative options to ensure you are able to make the decision that is in your best interest.

You have an absolute right to not testify in your case, and if you choose to invoke that right by refusing to testify, that decision can never be used against you as evidence of your guilt.

Every criminal charge carries a maximum possible penalty, but these maximum penalties rarely give a person a good idea as to what consequences they might actually face in their case. In some cases, there are sentencing guidelines that make penalty suggestions and recommendations based on the facts of a person's case and their criminal history. In other cases, judges have wide discretion on what kind of sentences to impose.

Criminal cases, even misdemeanors, are exceedingly complicated. The government has vast resources at their disposal to investigate and prosecute cases that can carry serious penalties, so having an experienced lawyer defending you is essential to protect your rights and your best interests.

The length of a criminal case depends on the type and severity of the charges. Some misdemeanor charges can be resolved in a matter of weeks, while more serious charges can last months or even years.

After a person is charged with a crime, they are given the opportunity to hire a private lawyer or, if they cannot afford to hire a private lawyer, are appointed a lawyer. A person's lawyer will be able to request the prosecutor's evidence against their client, conduct their own investigation, and develop a strategy with their client to respond to the charges.

Civil cases are generally filed between individual parties and often involve one party seeking money (damages) from the other or one party trying to stop the other from doing something (injunction). Criminal cases are filed by prosecutors who represent the government claiming that a person or entity violated a law that carries fines or possible jail or prison time.

Never talk to the police before speaking with a lawyer first. Regardless of what the police tell you, it is always in your interest to understand your legal options first before talking to them.

A defense lawyer should always be the first person you should talk to. If there is an accuser or potential witnesses in your case, attempting to contact or influence them in any way could result in obstruction of justice charges that carry serious consequences. Any statements you give to the police or searches you consent to could result in evidence used against you. Refusing to answer questions or consent to searches until you've spoken to a lawyer can never be held against you and can only help you protect your rights.

As soon as you can! Reaching out to criminal defense attorneys should be the first thing you do when you get arrested or if you think you may be under investigation.

Deciding who represents your interests in a criminal case is a very personal decision. If you are fortunate enough to have the funds to hire a private lawyer, then you could have a daunting number of representation options. When deciding on an attorney, it's important to ask about their experience and about the specifics of your case. A potential lawyer may not be able to give you specific advise on how to handle your case, but should at least be able to discuss their general approach to your type of case, some best and worst case scenarios, and strategies for securing a favorable outcome. When you've found someone you feel comfortable with, who can passionately represent your interests, and who fits within your budget, then you've found your lawyer!

This truly depends on your specific case. What's most important is to have an attorney who can fight for the best possible result in your case, whether that be through aggressively negotiating a favorable agreement with the prosecutors or through challenging the government's case against you before a judge or jury. Your lawyer can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages to the different options, carefully investigate the evidence, and advocate on your behalf at every stage of your case.

No! Always talk to a lawyer first before speaking to the police. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule.