Criminal offenses are serious. If you have been arrested on criminal charges, it is imperative for you to act quickly and confidently to preserve your rights, your case, and your future. Although an arrest may seem extremely intimidating and serious, it does not automatically mean that you are guilty. You still have the right to a trial, and there is hope for your criminal defense argument.
The key to winning a case involving criminal matters is hiring a qualified Anaheim criminal defense attorney to represent you. Although there are many options in the Anaheim area, our team at The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman stands out as a leading criminal defense team in the area.
Our Anaheim criminal defense attorneys are nationally recognized and have a stellar track record of successfully defending criminal cases. We have a deep and thorough understanding of the criminal justice system and how to create arguments that work. For over 20 years, we have been representing clients accused of all different types of crimes and have had success in every category and caliber of offense.
We are not intimidated in court, though many attorneys are. We know that intimidation tactics cannot dictate your future, and we will stand up to the prosecution with confidence and strength. Every person deserves legal representation that defends their rights, and we offer that to every one of our clients, regardless of their situation.
Although we are ruthless in the courtroom, we are empathetic with our clients. We understand that criminal charges often represent a moment of poor judgment, a mistake, or a situation in which you felt that there were no other options. We will listen to your story without prejudice or judgment and offer you reliable and approachable legal counsel.
Criminal charges are a large category in the legal system, with civil charges being the other category. In a civil claim, an independent individual or business brings a charge against another individual or business for damage that has occurred. In a criminal case, the government brings a charge against an individual or business for breaking the law. These cases are the government’s way of enforcing the law and handing out fair punishment to those who have committed crimes.
There are many types of criminal offenses. Some examples include:
There are other criminal offenses that fall under this umbrella. We have represented clients in the above crimes as well as other offenses not listed here.
Regardless of the type of criminal charge you are facing in Anaheim, CA, it is important to take your case seriously. If you lose, you face having a criminal record, which can prevent you from finding desirable housing or getting a good job. It can also cause tension in your personal relationships. If you have a felony charge, other rights will be taken away as well. With so much at stake, it is important that you make your best effort to avoid being charged. Hiring an Anaheim criminal attorney is the way to do this.
Most criminal cases are difficult to argue. Even if you believe that your innocence is obvious, the prosecution’s job is to make you look as guilty as possible. They can twist innocent pieces of evidence to fit their narrative and turn the situation against you. Your only hope of defending against their claims is to infuse their story with doubt. If the jury has a reasonable doubt about your guilt, they cannot convict you. It is difficult to properly create this kind of defense if you do not have an attorney.
Prioritize yourself, your family, and your future by hiring a criminal defense attorney from The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman.
When you undergo the criminal court process, it is important to know what is going to happen. This can help you mentally prepare and go through the court system with as much confidence as possible.
During an arraignment, the court will officially declare the claims and charges that are being brought against you. During this process, you will meet the judge as well as the prosecution team. You will be made aware of your rights and be able to determine how you will plead. In most situations, your attorney will prepare you for this process, and you will rely on them to help you enter your plea.
The court will set a bail amount for you during arraignment if one is applicable in your case.
The status conference or pre-trial conference is where you meet with key members of the court to discuss whether a plea bargain will be appropriate. In some cases, the court may reduce your charges if you agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Unfortunately, not all plea bargains are fair. It is essential that you have legal representation to help you determine whether you should take the plea bargain or go ahead with your trial.
If you do not accept your plea bargain, you begin your trial. It is a constitutional right to have a trial by your peers, and criminal cases involve juries for this reason. In a criminal trial, the jury must be unanimous in their decision. This is in contrast with a civil case, in which a majority is sufficient.
The jury will deliberate after both the prosecution and the defense have made their cases. When they have come to a decision, the judge will read the sentence. If you are guilty, the judge will give you your punishment. If you are not guilty, you are free to leave and are finished.
If you believe that the decision was inaccurate or are unhappy with the trial, you can file an appeal. During the appeals process, a higher court will review your case to determine whether the decision was valid. You can only file an appeal if you have new evidence or if you can demonstrate that there was a key legal mistake in your first trial.
A criminal charge can be either a felony or a misdemeanor in nature. The judge will determine the nature of the charge during arraignment, and your attorney will also give you details about your charges as you work with them.
Some charges are “wobblers,” which means they can be either a misdemeanor or felony charge depending on the circumstances. For example, a DUI can be a misdemeanor if it is a first offense and no one was hurt. However, it can be a felony if the driver has multiple DUIs or if they seriously harm or kill someone.
Criminal Defense attorneys all charge differently for their services. Most charge by the hour and range between $200 and $500 per hour. This ultimately depends upon their firm’s policies, their experience, and their track record. Be sure to discuss finances with potential attorneys before you hire their services to ensure uninterrupted representation.
If you cannot afford an attorney of your own, the court will assign a public defender to you. This individual is usually very overworked and has a lot of cases on their plate, meaning that you are unlikely to get a good defense from a public defender. If you need a public defender, you can tell the judge during your arraignment meeting. They will assign one to you for your case.
In California, the court may ask you to pay a $25 fee if you are using a public defender. However, you will not be denied representation if you cannot afford the fee. Essentially, a public defender is free. However, they usually have a lot of cases and cannot spend very much time on each of them, giving you poor representation.
Yes. In fact, they are required by law to defend their client to the best of their ability, whether they know the client to be guilty or innocent. This ensures that everyone has fair representation with their best interests at heart. It also ensures that you have confidentiality when speaking with your attorney, and you can tell them exactly what happened regardless of the implications.
If you are facing criminal charges, you need an attorney who can properly represent you in court. Our team consists of industry experts who are your best chance at winning your case. We can help you through the entire process and help guide you to the best possible outcome in your situation.
For more information about our firm, our policies, or how we can help with your case, please contact The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman online today.
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