When In Trouble, Hire King County Criminal Defense Attorneys Immediately

By Walter Kennedy


It is not just hardened criminals that come to the attention of law enforcement agencies. In fact, the vast majority of arrests involve very ordinary people that did something stupid. They drive under the influence, they accept dangerous dares, they make poor decisions and they sometimes let their emotions take over. Being arrested must always be seen as a very serious matter, regardless of the circumstances. Getting help from King County criminal defense attorneys is an immediate priority.

Police officers have to have very good reason to believe that a person is committing or has committed a crime before they make an arrest. They have to follow many rules in the process. They have to inform the accused of his rights and they have to honor those rights. They must be treated as innocent until a court actually finds different. They must also be given the opportunity to contact their lawyers.

One of the fundamental rights of all accused is the right to refuse to make statements or to answer questions until the lawyer is present. Legal experts advise that it is best to always exercise this right. Many accused waive this right because they think that they will be treated more lenient if they are seen to cooperate in any way. This can be a very big mistake because anything the accused says can be used against him at a later stage.

The first priority of the lawyer will be to review the facts of the case and to consult with his client. If he is satisfied that all the correct procedures were followed by the arresting officers, he will proceed to approach the court for bail. In most cases, this is granted quickly, but on condition that the accuse post an amount with the court to serve as guarantee that he will attend his case.

Getting released on bail is not a right. It is the prerogative of the court to make a decision. If bail is granted, it is always subject to certain conditions. The accused may not involve himself in the case in any way, he often have to report on a regular basis and sometimes his passport is confiscated until the case is finalized. Breaking any of the conditions of bail can have serious consequences.

The importance of being totally honest with a lawyer cannot be overemphasized. A surprising number of defenses are compromised because the lawyer was not in possession of all the facts when he prepared the case. People lie or omit facts because they are embarrassed or they are scared of incriminating themselves. This can turn out to be a very big mistake and even lead to a conviction.

It has become common to purchase insurance policies in order to make provision for the eventuality when the services of a good lawyer will become essential. Anyone can fall foul of the law, often even unwittingly. Depending on help from a state appointed attorney is truly a poor second choice. They have huge case loads and cannot spend much time on every case.

Defending oneself should never even be a consideration. The legal system is complex and there are numerous dangerous pitfalls. Mistakes can prove to be catastrophic, leading to a conviction and a life long criminal record. Competent legal representation is truly the only option when facing charges.




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